Politics

South Africa: Ex-president Zuma barred from running in election

Published

7 months ago

May 21, 2024

This month’s election will not allow former South African President, Jacob Zuma, to run for parliament, the nation’s highest court said on Monday. This decision could affect the result and incite discontent among Zuma’s followers.

Given that the constitution forbids anyone serving a term of 12 months or more in prison from holding a parliamentary seat, the constitutional court decided that Zuma’s 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court in 2021 prevented him from standing in the May 29 election.

“It is declared that Mr. Zuma was convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment, … and is accordingly not eligible to be a member of, and not qualified to stand for election to, the National Assembly,” its ruling said.

The top court of South Africa decided on Monday that former president Jacob Zuma cannot run for parliament in next week’s election. This decision could affect the result and incite discontent among Zuma’s followers.

Given that the constitution forbids anyone serving a sentence of 12 months or more in prison from holding a parliamentary seat, the constitutional court decided that Zuma’s 15-month jail term for contempt of court in 2021 prevented him from standing in the May 29 election.

According to opinion polls, the ANC’s majority may be in jeopardy following thirty years in office, and MK poses a threat to it, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province, where he is still well-liked. After Zuma was imprisoned in 2021, there were riots in KwaZulu-Natal that resulted in over 300 deaths and expanded into widespread looting.

During an interview with local radio station 702, President Cyril Ramaphosa was asked about the possibility of violence following the constitutional court verdict. He responded, “I’m not concerned about this instigating violence.”

“We have a rule of law in South Africa that governs us. Once a constitutional court has decided, that is it and should there be any threat of violence our security forces are ready,” he said.

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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.