Politics

South African President Ramaphosa holds talks with Zelensky to discuss Russian invasion

Published

3 years ago

April 22, 2022

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Thursday, said he had held talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing conflict in the country following the invasion of Russia.

Ramaphosa who has faced fierce criticism from world leaders for refusing to condemn Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, announced on Twitter that he had a long phone conversation with Zelenskyy “to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and its tragic human cost, as well its global ramifications.”

“We agreed on the need for a negotiated end to the conflict which has impacted Ukraine’s place in global supply chains, including its position as a major exporter of food to our continent,” Ramaphosa tweeted.

I had a telephone conversation with President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and its tragic human cost, as well its global ramifications. pic.twitter.com/hDtGOJ56DU

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 21, 2022

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, South Africa, like many other African countries, have maintained a grave silence and a non-aligned stance.

Despite calls for South Africa to come out with a position, Ramaphosa has continued to maintain that negotiations are the best option to end the conflict with the country abstaining from voting in two high-profile UN rebukes of Russia.

We agree on the need for a negotiated end to the conflict which has impacted Ukraine’s place in global supply chains, including its position as a major exporter of food to our continent. President Zelenskyy anticipates closer relations with Africa in future.

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 21, 2022

Dozens of other African countries have also steered clear of voting against Russia at the UN but with the call to the embattled Zelenskyy,
Ramaphosa believes the Ukrainian President “anticipates closer relations with Africa in future.”

Zelensky had two weeks ago, asked to address the African Union to seek for its support in the ongoing war, according to the AU’s current head, Senegalese President Macky Sall.

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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.