Politics

Former South African President, Jacob Zuma, accuses successor Cyril Ramaphosa of buying presidency

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2022

The animosity between former South African President, Jacob Zuma, and his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, has taken another twist after Zuma accused Ramaphosa of “buying the presidency” and his position as head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

The accusation, coming a month before a crucial party meeting where a new leader will emerge, has once again, reopened the long standing battle between Zuma and Ramaphosa whom he alleged was behind his corruption trial and subsequent imprisonment.

The ANC is set to gather in mid-December to decide whether to endorse Ramaphosa for a second term by re-electing him as head of the party.

However, while addressing a crowd of supporters on Monday at a rally in Durban, Zuma accused the sitting President of abusing democratic processes.

“There were clear allegations made that Cyril Ramaphosa, who is contesting for the presidency, used a lot of money to buy his position as president of the ANC,” Zuma said.

He said discreet investigations have shown that financing of Ramaphosa’s ANC leadership campaign in 2017 was mired in controversy, notably when he was accused of having lied to parliament about a 500 000-rand ($27 800) donation from an industrial group.

The 80-year-old Zuma who was sentenced to15 months in prison for refusing to appear to appear before an anti-corruption commission, has not forgiven Ramaphosa for his travails, and has launched a barrage of attacks against the President over the past month, accusing him of treason and corruption following a robbery and kidnapping scandal at his Phala Phala farm.

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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.