Politics

Human Rights Watchdog demands probe into death of Algerian ‘political prisoner’

Published

3 years ago

April 26, 2022

An Algerian Human Rights Watchdog, the League for the Defense of Human Rights, LADDH, has called on the country’s judicial authorities to investigate the death of a political prisoner, Hakim Debazi, who allegedly
died in prison at Kolea in the Wilaya region of Tipaza in the west of Algiers, following his arrest during a peaceful demonstration.

Describing Debazi as “one of the most active militants of the Hirak in Algeria,” the watchdog on Tuesday, called for the opening of an investigation into the “circumstances and causes of the tragic disappearance of this activist from the prison of Kolea.”

In a post on his Facebook account, LADDH vice president, Said Salhi, stressed that “the judicial authorities are required to inform public opinion on all details, circumstances and causes of this tragic disappearance”.

Salhi who disclosed that he had followed the case closely since Debazi’s arrest, urged “the judicial authorities to open an immediate judicial inquiry to determine responsibilities, reveal the truth and do justice”.

Salhi noted that Debazi, 55, was arrested on February 22, 2022, and remanded in custody in the prison of Kolea, and that a request for his release on bail because of his worrying health condition, was rejected by the authorities.

“Hakim Debazi is one of those activists who have been sentenced by the Algerian justice to prison for posts on social networks.

“Most are prosecuted for simply expressing an opinion, particularly through publications on social networks,” the League said in a statement, adding that hundreds of Algerian activists accused of undermining state security and the integrity of the territory as well as subversive acts, are currently languishing in Algerian prisons in deplorable conditions.

#اطلقوا_ولادنا_يعيدوا_معانا
Hakim Debazi, a political prisoner died last night at Kolea prison in Tipaza, Algeria. Debazi, 55 years old and a father of 3 children, was held in pre-trial detention since 22nd Feb. His crime? Calling for freedom and a civil state on Facebook. Shame pic.twitter.com/zrSYkaCyXV

— freeman (@solitaire5559) April 25, 2022

Related Topics:Activist Algeria Featured Human Rights

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Politics

Mauritius’ Prime Minister to double as Finance Minister

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In an effort to maintain a tight eye on the economy, Mauritius’ Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, who took office this month following a resounding election victory, said on Friday that he would retain the position of finance minister for himself.

“We are doing an audit of the economy to see to what extent the outgoing government has destroyed it,” Ramgoolam told reporters in the capital Port Louis after he presided over the swearing-in of other ministers.

Ten years after he stepped down as prime minister, the seasoned politician returned to the position when his Alliance du Changement (ADC) alliance won 60 of the 62 seats in the national legislature.

The 77-year-old Ramgoolam said earlier this week that he would be auditing governmental finances. Before this, he was prime minister from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014.

Ramgoolam started a campaign in 2006 to streamline taxes and reduce bureaucracy to diversify the $10 billion economy beyond exports of sugar, textiles, and tourism.

Since then, the 1.3 million-person nation, which positions itself as a bridge between Africa and Asia, has developed into a major offshore financial hub and has been rated by the World Bank as the easiest location to do business in Africa regularly.

Politics

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.