Politics

3, May 2025

Togo: His family has ruled for 58 years and he is now going to rule for life ⁰

The Togolese leader, Faure Gnassingbé, has been sworn in as “President of the Council of Ministers” – a new post which is the highest office in the government’s executive branch and has no official term limits.

This follows constitutional reform that ended presidential elections, and introduced a parliamentary system.

The opposition said the change was in order to allow President Gnassingbé to stay in power indefinitely.

His family has ruled the country for 58 years – Faure Gnassingbé took over in 2005 from his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who had ruled for almost four decades.

This latest change results from a new constitution approved by lawmakers last year, labelled by critics and opposition figures as an “institutional coup d’état”.

Gnassingbé’s government had paused some of the changes following huge backlash, but has moved ahead with his new role.

Togo’s municipal elections in July will be the first under the new constitution, which has replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary one.

In theory, the role of president of the republic is now only an honorary title, but analysts say Gnassingbé’s power is more entrenched than ever with his new post of council president.

His party, the Union for the Republic, won a huge majority in last year’s parliamentary election, taking of 108 out of 113 seats in the National Assembly.

Source: BBC

30, April 2025

Mali coup leader wins backing to be president for next five years ⁰

Mali’s military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has won the backing of key political allies to be declared president for the next five years.

The 41-year-old, who has seized power twice, was named transitional president after his last coup in 2021.

At the time he promised to hold elections the following year – but has since reneged, in a blow to efforts to restore multi-party rule in the West African state.

A national conference organised by the regime – but boycotted by leading opposition parties – has now recommended naming Gen Goïta president until 2030.

He has not yet commented on the recommendation, but the conference was seen as an attempt to legitimise his bid to remain in power.

Over the weekend, an opposition leader, Mohamed Salia Touré, told the AFP news agency that suppressing the multi-party system would be a “historic error”.

On Wednesday, Amnesty International said it denounced what it described as a “proposal to dissolve all political parties in Mali”.

The rights group’s Sahel researcher, Ousmane Diallo, said he was “alarmed by the proposition” and that such a move “would be a flagrant attack on the rights to freedom of expression and association”.

It is unclear if the conference proposes to dissolve all political parties, or only those that fail to comply with certain requirements.

The conference also recommended suspending anything to do with elections until there was peace in the country, according to a document seen by AFP.

The military government has been trying to quell jihadist violence unleashed by groups linked with the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda.

Since taking power, the junta leader has formed an alliance with coup leaders in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, pivoting the region towards Russia after drastically reducing ties with former colonial power France.

Gen Goïta has also withdrawn Mali from the regional grouping Ecowas over its demands to restore democratic rule. Burkina Faso and Niger have also left the grouping.

He first staged a coup in August 2020 overthrowing then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta after huge anti-government protests over his rule and his handling of the jihadist insurgency.

Gen Goïta handed power to an interim government that was to oversee the transition to elections within 18 months.

He had sought to lead that government, but Ecowas insisted on a civilian leader.

Unhappy with the performance of the civilian transitional arrangement, he seized power again in May 2021.

He was a colonel at the time, but became a five-star general last year.

Source: BBC

30, April 2025

African Union lifts sanctions against Gabon after political transition review ⁰

The African Union has lifted sanctions against Gabon, it said in a statement on Wednesday, after the central African nation was suspended from the organisation following a coup in August 2023.

A meeting of the Peace and Security Council on Gabon’s political transition “reviewed the processes and found them to be generally successful”, the AU’s Political Affairs Peace and Security department said on X.

The statement said Gabon would be welcome “to immediately resume her participation in the activities” of the AU.

Gabon was suspended when General Brice Oligui Nguema took power after overthrowing president Ali Bongo, whose family had been in power for 55 years.

Nguema pledged to hand back the oil-rich country to civilian rule after a two-year transitional period, and was elected president in April with 94 percent of the vote.

According to the new constitution, the president will lead the country with expanded powers.

The decision by the AU to lift sanctions follows a meeting last year between Nguema and Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara, in which Nguema asked for support in lifting sanctions.

The country of 2.3 million people has endured high unemployment, regular power and water shortages, and heavy government debt despite its oil riches.

Source: AFP

29, April 2025

US: Trump addressing rally in Michigan as he marks 100 days in office ⁰

US President Donald Trump is speaking at a rally in Michigan as he marks 100 days in office

“We’ve just gotten started,” he tells a crowd of supporters at the celebratory event

Since re-entering office three months ago, Trump has reshaped the US government with a flurry of executive actions

Earlier today in a briefing to mark Trump’s 100th day as US president, the White House criticised Amazon as “hostile” and “political”

It followed reports suggesting the online retailer will show consumers how much the president’s tariffs add to the cost of its products

Amazon says any plan to list import charges was never approved and it “is not going to happen”

Source: BBC

25, April 2025

Botswana president rebukes Biya, other African leaders clinging to power ⁰

Botswana President Duma Boko has condemned leaders who attempt to extend their presidential terms beyond the established limits, boldly stating that such leaders are failures. His remarks came during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Bonno Target 3 000 project in Gaborone on Wednesday, where he also launched a new initiative aimed at addressing the country’s housing needs.

The Bonno Target 3 000 project will begin with the construction of 3,000 housing units across selected urban and peri-urban areas, aimed at addressing the growing demand for affordable housing in the country. However, it was Boko’s strong stance on leadership tenure that dominated headlines after the ceremony.

Boko emphasised the importance of knowing when to step aside from power, stating unequivocally that any president who seeks to hold office for more than 10 years is fundamentally failing in their role.

“I will say to you today that any president of any country who wants to be president for more than 10 years, anybody who has that ambition, is instantly a failure,” Boko remarked. “You can’t want to do this job for more than 10 years. If you take the job seriously, you can’t do it for more than 10 years.”

Boko’s comments are a sharp critique of the numerous African leaders who have clung to power for decades, often facing widespread criticism for their inability to step down despite their extended tenures. He added that any attempt to extend a presidential term was a clear sign of failure and a lack of understanding of the job’s demands.

“And anybody who sticks with the presidency for more than 10 years, that’s a sure-fire indication that he has failed. He does not understand the job,” Boko said.

His remarks come amid growing concerns about the longevity of several African leaders. Presidents such as Paul Biya of Cameroon, who has led for over 50 years, Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea with 45 years in power, and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled for nearly 40 years, continue to dominate the political landscape in their respective countries.

Source – newsday

16, April 2025

Bishop of Bafoussam calls on voters to ‘make no mistake’ in this year’s election ⁰

As Cameroon gear up for a presidential election later this year, a Catholic bishop in the central African country has urged citizens to vote their consciences and to avoid errors in their choice of president that they may live to regret.

Cameroonians are scheduled to vote in a Presidential election in October, with the country’s 92-year-old President, Paul Biya – in power now for over 43 years – still expected to seek an eighth mandate.

The world’s oldest leader will face a fractured opposition-with the leading names including Professor Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement who claims to have won the 2018 Presidential election; Lawyer Akere Muna, one-one time President of Transparency International – Cameroon and a leading actor in the fight against corruption; Joshua Osih of the opposition Social Democratic Front; and Cabral Libii, a journalist, law lecturer and opposition member of parliament.

Convinced that this year’s election could be an inflection point in the country’s political story, Bishop Paul Lontsie-Keune of Bafoussam, in Cameroon’s West Region, has called on Cameroonians to massively register and vote in the election.

Addressing thousands of Christians who took part at a recent pilgrimage at the Our Lady of Maria Sanctuary in Douelong, Bamougoum, West Region, the cleric warned Cameroonians against choosing the wrong person that could lead to a lifetime of regret.

“Cette année no make erreur,” the bishop said in a mixture of French and English – a lingua-franca developed by Musician Lapiro de Mbanga. The statement loosely translates as “this year, make no mistake.”

He recognized the freedom of every citizen to vote for any candidate of their choice, but noted that if citizens vote against their consciences – as often happens when money is used to buy votes – then they would be opening the highway to a lifetime of regret that they had a chance to make history, and they busted it.

“Vote your conscience, it is decisive. You can engage in politics but be guided by your conscience. You can be a good Christian and a good politician,” the bishop said.

“You have an assignment to participate in elections… remain engaged to build this beautiful country that belongs to us all,” he said.

He urged the Christians to resist what he called the “demon of intimidation.” Without citing names, Lontsie-Keune made references to the intimidating tactics employed by Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.

Nji has frequently made reference to the blender and what it does to spices to demonstrate how the state would deal with those who go against the law.

“When you maintain law and order, you do so without qualms… I’d like to tell you that the maintenance of law and order, you have to understand, is like the blender and the criminals for us are the condiments. When you put peanuts, pepper, tomatoes and garlic in the blender, it’s the paste that comes out, you have to remember that,” Nji has said. He recently warned political parties against any form of protests, using the same metaphor.

“Don’t be discouraged; don’t die before your death,” the bishop said as he called on Cameroonians to resist all forms of intimidation.

“Cameroon is neither a grave nor paradise,” Lontsie-Keune remarked.

“The real country of ‘If I had known’ is not prison but hell fire and the master there is Lucifer. Be afraid of the country of ‘If I had known and also be afraid to stay away from the Kingdom of God,” he said.

The reference to Hell in connection with the next presidential election aligns with what the Bishop Barthélemy Yaouda Hourgo of Yagoua in Cameroon’s Far North region said earlier in the year.

“We’re not going to suffer any more than this. We’ve already suffered enough. The worst is not going to come. Even the Devil should first take power in Cameroon and then we’ll see,” the bishop said, insisting that Biya should have no more business at the helm of the state.

“Resist the demon whose mission is to silence you. The characteristic of the demon is to reduce others to a silent mood; so that they can reign…they will also warn you that if you talk you will see,” he told his flock.

Catholic bishops had in a pastoral letter released on March 28 not only urged citizens to massively register and vote, they also insisted on the values of integrity, patriotism, morality, vision, and a capacity to manage transparently as some of the criteria voters should look for in any of the candidates.

They also called for a code of conduct to guide the election-one that will make for a peaceful, free and fair election, whose outcomes should be accepted by all.

Source: Crux

14, April 2025

Burkina Faso: Where vision meets discipline ⁰

Burkina Faso is in the news and spotlight for all the right reasons. A once desperate nation is pointing many African countries in the right direction. The message from Ouagadougou is clear – No initiative succeeds without discipline and vision.

African countries are not poor; they have simply allowed others to design a narrative of poverty for them. For centuries, the “lords of the universe” have planted poverty in our minds and we seem to think that our poverty is divine. No, it is not. All money comes from Mother Earth and only those who understand the science of money are wealthy.

The young Burkinabe president, Ibrahim Traore, understands how wealth creation works. He has the vision and discipline to generate wealth. That is what is putting his country on the path to wealth and admiration.

Given his age, not many gave him a chance when he came to power. Many thought that without the regular allegiance to the West, Traore would not last six months in power. But the young man had his priorities properly arranged. He knew that the development of his country without Western support would be an uphill climb; he also knew that no wealth is greater than a people’s support and he has attracted his people to his side.

In this regard, he charmed his people with his simplicity and charisma. He drafted a magnificent communication strategy, knowing that his opponents and enemies were adept at manipulation and that effective communication would be their weapon of choice. His counter-offensive is working. The captain is the man of the moment around the world.

He did not just stop at talking. He knew Burkina Faso had a rich sub-soil which if properly managed could bring about instant economic transformation. He and his team immediately called for a reform of the mining sector which was in the hands of foreigners who were robbing the country blind.

Many of those companies did not pay their fair share of taxes and the former corrupt politicians prioritized self-interest above national sovereignty and economic progress. Today, the country’s gold is being refined in the country and most artisanal mining has disappeared, leaving the government with a huge revenue stream.

Reforming the mining sector has not only cut off the supply of money to terrorists, it also nets the country over USD 7 billion dollars a year. In 2024, Burkina Faso earned USD 6.48 billion dollars in gold sales alone, with Switzerland spending over USD 5 billion to obtain Burkina Faso’s gold.

But Burkina Faso does not only have gold. There is bauxite, there is iron, there is manganese and, above all, there is the right mindset. Of all the resources God has put on the surface of the earth, the human mind is the largest and the most sophisticated and Burkina Faso leaders are clearly buttressing this point.

Besides, the natural resource, governance is also a key factor. The country’s governance has improved ever since Traore and his patriotic friends took over. The country’s new leaders are transparent and determined to pull the country out of the jaws of poverty and many things are already falling in place, increasing the popular support he enjoys. Traore understands that no security system is stronger than the people’s support and he is making the most of this support by implementing projects which are pro-poor.

Captain Traore understands that much money without manufacturing could lead to inflation. He also understands that a restless youth without jobs is a huge pool of willing fighters who can easily be manipulated. Poverty hardly breeds virtue! That is why he is setting up factories which are creating jobs for young Burkinabe. He understands that a hungry man is an angry man who can easily be manipulated. He is not giving his enemies the least chance for them to manipulate his people. He is making the most of social media and the results on the ground are a faithful representation of what he says. His word is his bond!

Factories are popping up every day. Housing projects are taking shape while road construction once considered a rocket science by many Africans has been demystified. The young captain has declared that his government will be tarring 3,000 km to 5,000 km of road each year and he means it and this is music to many ears in Burkina Faso.

But manufacturing is just one sector. The young captain has adopted a holistic approach to development. His government is underscoring the importance of agriculture. Recently, it imported over 400 pieces of farming equipment which were handed over to enthusiastic farmers. The country is today one of the largest producer of wheat on the continent and the wheat is being transformed into flour.

The new leaders in Ouagadougou have packaged agriculture differently, making it more attractive to young Africans who once thought it was for the poor and illiterate. Even the country’s military is proudly involved in food production today. These efforts have put the once hungry country on the path to food security and sovereignty. Hunger is slowly being rolled out of the country and the nationals of this desert country are proud of their leaders.

No African country is financially poor. Corrupt and incompetent leadership is what is keeping many African countries in humiliating poverty which is pushing the continent’s youths to deserts, jungles and seas where they are dying in their bid to reach the Western world.

The continent’s sub-soil is rich. The continent accounts for more than 50% of the world’s mineral resources. It also accounts for 60% of the world’s arable land. Its demographic dividend is wealth other continents do not have.

Burkina Faso’s silent revolution and transformation should be a wake up call to other African leaders. Captain Traore is clearly demonstrating that wearing military fatigue is not a sign of incompetence. On the contrary, he is proving that democracy is not designed for civilians alone. Real democracy, according to him, implies loving your people and your country.

Democracy, the one run by civilians which is unnecessarily expensive, has hurt many African countries. Costly elections will not take Africa out of poverty. Africa needs leaders with a clear vision and the right discipline if this continent has to make grinding poverty a thing of the past. Captain Traore is a living example of humility, patriotism and determination. Many African leaders need to take a leaf from his book if they must kiss poverty goodbye.

By Dr Joachim Arrey

12, April 2025

Race for Etoudi: CDU condemns fake CPDM polls ⁰

The Cameroon Democratic Union (CDU), led by Tomaïno Ndam Njoya, on April 10, 2025, denounced a social media poll it deemed fraudulent and malicious, citing its unfavorable ranking in the survey of Cameroonian voting intentions.

In a statement released the same day, the UDC condemned what it called “grotesque pre-electoral fraudulent maneuvers,” accusing political actors of manipulating public opinion ahead of the October 2025 presidential election. “These maneuvers aim, as usual, either to distract public vigilance or to prepare it to swallow potential manipulations and distortions cultivated by some during electoral periods,” the UDC stated.

The controversy began on Wednesday, April 3, 2025, with the circulation of a poll allegedly conducted by Politic Data, a French electoral data platform. The survey, shared by journalist Bruno Bidjang, placed the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) first with 65% of voting intentions, followed by the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN) with 17%, and other parties, including the CDU. However, Politic Data swiftly denied conducting the survey, stating, “We do not conduct polls. We therefore did not conduct this one. Please send us the contact details of the journalist who misused our visual identity.“

Following this denial, the CDU called upon the National Communication Council (CNC) and the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (Antic) to intervene. “We urge these public institutions to assume their responsibilities in the face of such abuses,” the CDU stressed, demanding swift action to identify and apprehend those responsible for the fake poll.

“By bringing this deception to the attention of both national and international public opinion, and by pointing out that the author has been caught red-handed and unmasked, [the CDU] reminds us that, in building the Cameroon of tomorrow—which is a duty for all—we must urgently bring a good measure of morality and ethics into politics,” the UDC stated. “We call on Cameroonians to turn away from underhanded and dirty-handed politics.“

Tensions escalated when, days after the initial fake poll, another alleged survey circulated, this time shared by SDF militant Alex Nguepi. This poll placed Joshua Osih first with 39.7%, followed by Paul Biya at 39%. The CDU also dismissed this poll as an attempt to manipulate public opinion.

These incidents occur amidst the Catholic Church’s recent release of a code of conduct for political actors during the presidential campaign.

Source: Business in Cameroon

10, April 2025

CPDM Crime Syndicate: New National Assembly building to be named ‘Paul Biya Glass Palace’ ⁰

The new National Assembly building, recently inaugurated on November 30, 2024, will host an official naming ceremony on April 25, where it will be named the “Paul Biya Glass Palace,” the parliamentary institution’s president announced today.

“This ceremony speaks to all of us, especially we, the representatives of the people, regardless of political affiliation,” stated Right Honourable Cavaye Yegué Djibril.

The modern structure, valued at 50 billion CFA francs and gifted by China, previously hosted the closing of the November parliamentary session shortly after its inauguration. At that time, the National Assembly President secured Head of State Paul Biya’s approval for the building to bear his name.

Djibril also announced the establishment of a Directorate of Palaces within his office. This new department will be tasked “for maintaining this architectural gem equipped with state-of-the-art technical and technological facilities.”

Source: Business in Cameroon

8, April 2025

Niat tops list of 10 oldest senate presidents in Africa ⁰

The latest data from International Parliamentary Union (IPU) reveal the oldest Senate presidents in Africa.

Senators serve as stabilising forces in the political landscape, and often, the leaders of these chambers are individuals with decades of experience in public service. The role of these seasoned legislative leaders remains crucial in shaping Africa’s politics.

Here are the top 10 oldest current senate leaders in Africa

1. Marcel Niat Njifenji – Cameroon (91 years old)

At 91, Marcel Niat Njifenji stands as the oldest Senate leader on the continent. As President of the Senate in Cameroon, he has played a key role in the country’s legislative processes since 2013. His long political career has made him a central figure in Cameroon’s governance.

2. Paulette Missambo – Gabon (76 years old)

Leading Gabon’s Transitional Senate, Paulette Missambo brings decades of public administration and political activism to the role. At 76, she is one of the few women heading a parliamentary body in Africa .

3. Pierre Ngolo – Republic of the Congo (71 years old)

Pierre Ngolo has served in various governmental roles and is known for his influence within Congo’s legislative circles. At 71, his leadership continues to shape national policy making.

4. María Teresa Efua Asangono – Equatorial Guinea (68 years old)

As the first woman to preside over the Senate in Equatorial Guinea, María Teresa Efua Asangono, 68, symbolizes progress in gender representation in high political office.

5. Mabel M. Chinomona – Zimbabwe (67 years old)

Mabel Chinomona, 67, holds the distinction of being the President of Zimbabwe’s Senate. With a background in education and grassroots politics, she emphasises unity and institutional reform.

6. Richard Ravalomanana – Madagascar (66 years old)

At 66, Richard Ravalomanana serves as President of Madagascar’s Senate, where he plays a critical role in promoting democratic governance.

7. Kandia Kamissoko Camara – Côte d’Ivoire (66 years old)

Also aged 66, Kandia Camara is the first woman to lead the Ivorian Senate. With a strong background in education and diplomacy, her presidency is seen as an important moment in Côte d’Ivoire’s push for inclusive governance.

8. François-Xavier Kalinda – Rwanda (63 years old)

François-Xavier Kalinda, 63, heads Rwanda’s Senate with a focus on institutional resilience and reconciliation. His tenure reflects Rwanda’s post-genocide emphasis on unity, justice, and sustainable development.

9. Godswill Akpabio – Nigeria (63 years old)

At 63 former governor and minister, Godswill Akpabio brings a wealth of political experience to his role as Senate President in Nigeria.

10. Lindiwe Dlamini – Eswatini (60 years old)

At 60, Lindiwe Dlamini leads Eswatini’s Senate. Her leadership exemplifies the blend of modern political systems with cultural heritage in the kingdom.

Source: Business Today