Politics

South Africa’s ruling ANC to sue Zuma’s MK party

Published

9 months ago

March 20, 2024

Ahead of what could be the most significant election in the nation’s past 30 years, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa is challenging the independent electoral authority and a rival political party headed by a former president, exposing tensions in the country.

The African National Congress (ANC) claims that the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation) party failed to register in September. The election court in the nation’s heartland, Bloemfontein, heard the case on Tuesday.

Led by former ANC leader and South African president Jacob Zuma, the new party, dubbed MK, may be deregistered and unable to run in the May 29 national elections. Several MK officials threatened to start a “civil war” and declared they would not tolerate being disqualified.

Using the name of the ANC’s now-disbanded military wing, which Nelson Mandela had formed, MK sows discord within the party.

In separate legal actions, the African National Congress (ANC) is contesting the use of the name uMkhonto weSizwe and a logo that is very similar to that of its former military component due to copyright infringement.

Zuma’s choice to back MK has given the fierce competition a new dimension. In recent months, the two parties have insulted one other. The leaders of the new party were referred to as Zuma’s “chihuahuas” by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who dubbed Zuma “the most destructive person” to South Africa’s democratic progress.

Due to accusations of corruption, Zuma was removed from office as South Africa’s president in 2018. He is presently being tried for corruption, however the proceedings have been delayed for a long time. He has been a harsh opponent of Cyril Ramaphosa, the current president of South Africa, and the African National Congress (ANC).

Mr. Zuma’s ANC membership was suspended for openly endorsing Mr. MK. Both he and Mbalula were present in the Electoral Court on Tuesday.

After the racial segregation system of apartheid ended in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) ruled South Africa for 30 years. However, this year’s election is likely to be its most difficult test to date.

According to many surveys, the ANC will experience its first-ever majority loss and will need to form a coalition to maintain power.

Although South Africa has a legislative form of government, the president is also the head of state and has executive authority. The practice is uncommon among heads of state in nations with parliamentary systems, which are frequently led by prime ministers and have a separation of powers.

The most recent survey, which was carried out in February and March, indicates that MK, which has a strong following in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal and is predicted to gain popularity there, might emerge as the third largest party in South Africa during its first national election.

The ANC has refuted claims that the lawsuit is a response to Zuma and MK’s political threat.

South Africans are also upset by MK’s response to the legal action, especially by remarks made by KwaZulu-Natal party official Visvin Reddy. “Listen to me very carefully,” Mr. Reddy said in a speech earlier this month. “This country will descend into civil war the day MK is not allowed to campaign and be on the ballot. No one will vote. No one in this country will vote. We will make sure of it.”

Source; https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/19/south-africa-anc-takes-new-opposition-party-to-court/

Related Topics:Featured Jacob Zuma South Africa

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 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

3 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.