Politics

South Africa’s President, Ramaphosa sends envoy to US to clarify stance on Russia

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2023

Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, has revealed plans to send a delegation to the United States to clarify its position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ramaphosa plans to send a representative to Washington in order to set the record straight before the BRICS Summit in August 2023, where Russian President, Vladimir Putin is expected to be in Pretoria.

The envoy would be sent to the US to “engage and persuade” stakeholders on the country’s position on Russia and its leader.

Following the International Criminal Court issuance of an arrest warrant on March 17 against the Russian President for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, President Cyril Ramaphosa, through his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said he was aware of the legal development, ahead of the Russian president’s expected visit to South Africa in August for the BRICS summit.

South Africa is expected to arrest President Putin if he lands in the country being a signatory to the Rome Statute, but it is not likely to, going by its strong tie with Russia and its antecedent in a similar case when former Sudanese leader, Omar al-Bashir visited. The action was however condemned by the court at the time.

The move is widely believed to be an attempt to shield itself from potential sanctions by the US which have publicly backed the indictment of Russia by the court and has sided with the European Union (EU) to support Ukraine in the war.

Officials of South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress, recently visited Russia on what the party described as a “working visit” as the state continues deepening its ties with Moscow.

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

8 hours 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

1 day 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.