Politics

Uganda to withdraw cars from public officials

Published

1 year ago

December 15, 2023

Ahead of its preparation to host the Non-Aligned Movement (Nam) and G77+China summits due in January 2024, Uganda’s government plans to withdraw vehicles from its officials.

The vehicle withdrawal, which will commence next week, will include ministers and permanent secretaries. The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire, who hinted that many state officials’ plans to travel upcountry for the Christmas holidays might be affected by the move.

A large number of public servants who have access to official vehicles have taken to travelling in style in their rural homes during the holiday season. But if the ruling is strictly adhered to, things might be different this year.

According to Bagiire, the nation needs at least 1,200 cars to transport delegates to and from the venues for the two summits.

“The vehicles we are targeting are those for the ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and all those entitled officers. All official cars will be withdrawn effective December 18,” he added.

The 19th Nam summit will take place in Uganda from January 15–20, and the G77+China summit will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, outside of Kampala, from January 21–23. It is anticipated that 120 countries will send delegates to the Nam Summit, and 134 countries will send representatives to the second conference.

Related Topics:Featured Non Aligned Movement Uganda

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

5 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

6 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.