Politics

Ugandan opposition legislators granted bail after 17 months in detention

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2023

Two politicians After spending 17 months in jail on murder charges believed to be politically motivated, two legislators allied to Uganda’s pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine.

The legislators, Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana, who was granted bail on Monday are the main opponents of President Yoweri Museveni.

They were charged with murder in September 2021 following a spate of killings in central Uganda, an opposition stronghold, that left at least 26 people dead.

They are members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) led by Wine, who was the main challenger to Museveni in the last election in 2021. The platformed insisted that the accusations against them are bogus and that their prosecution is part of government efforts to weaken the opposition by keeping its leaders and supporters in jail.

One of their lawyers, Erias Lukwago, said: “they have been granted bail, we’re currently processing bail conditions for their release.”

The lawyer further revealed that they were granted bail ahead of any trial on the condition that they deposit their passports with the court and pay 20 million shillings ($5,470) each.

Ugandan has been ruled by President Yoweri Museveni, who took over power in 1986 and has ruled ever since, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. He recently accused past leaders of the country, and colonialism as reasons behind the poverty state of the country.

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 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

4 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.