Politics

Uganda’s FM, Odongo meets Russia’s Lavrov over grain deal

Published

2 years ago

May 19, 2023

Uganda’s foreign minister, Jeje Odongo has met Russian official, Sergei Lavrov over the Ukraine black sea grain deal.

The minister revealed that he urged parties involved to consider the plight of “many African countries, who depend on grain for wheat and bread.”

“Quite a number of African countries, particularly in the northern part of Africa, depend on grain, particularly for wheat and bread. We understand their plight. But we think whatever should be done, should be done in the interests of those in need and not to use their need to the advantage of others,” Odongo said at the news conference.

An African delegation comprising leaders of Zambia, Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Egypt and South Africa are scheduled to visit Moscow and Kyiv to try to broker peace.

While reacting to the minister’s stance, Lavrov stated that the next two months would help decide the fate of a deal which allows Ukraine to ship grain through the Black Sea.

“Of course, we would like to understand what specific initiatives (South African) President Ramaphosa and his African colleagues, including Uganda’s President (Yoweri) Museveni, would like to come up with in order to discuss with us. We are open, as I have said many times, to any serious and engaged proposals from any state,” Lavrov said.

The war has compromised both countries’ ability to produce and export crops. In addition to being a significant exporter of wheat, rapeseed, barley, vegetable oil, and maize, Ukraine is the world’s largest producer of sunflower seeds.

Global production of grain for the 2023/2024 season is forecast at 789.8 million tons, up 1.5 million from the previous year.

Related Topics:Featured Grains Russia Uganda

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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

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.