Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- May 8, 2024
- 94 views
NO MORE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN TOGO, PARLIAMENT TO CHOOSE PRESIDENT
NO MORE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN TOGO, PARLIAMENT TO CHOOSE PRESIDENT Togo’s President, Faure Gnassingbe, has signed a new constitution eliminating presidential elections, his office said late Monday, a move that opponents say will allow him to extend his family’s six-decade rule. Civil society groups in the West African nation have called for protests. Parliament will now choose the president. The new constitution comes days after the election commission on Saturday announced that President Faure Gnassingbe’s ruling party had won a majority of parliament seats. There was a crackdown on civic and media freedoms ahead of the vote. The government banned protests against the proposed new constitution and arrested opposition figures. The electoral commission banned the Catholic Church from deploying election observers. Togo’s media regulator suspended the accreditation process for foreign journalists. The new constitution also increases presidential terms from five to six years and introduces a single-term limit. But the nearly 20 years that Gnassingbe has served in office would not count, and the political opposition, religious leaders and civil society say it’s likely that Gnassingbe will stay in power when his mandate expires in 2025. Togo has been ruled by the same family for 57 years, first by Eyadema Gnassingbe and then by his son. Faure Gnassingbe took office after elections that the opposition described as a sham. The new constitution also creates a figure similar to a prime minister, to be selected by the ruling party. Critics fear that could become another way for Gnassingbe to extend his grip on power. A group of about 20 civil society organisations in Togo have called for protests to reinstate the previous constitution.”We will never accept this new constitution, even after its promulgation,” David Dosseh, a spokesperson for the civil society groups, told The Associated Press, calling the 2025 election ”absolutely necessary for the people to choose a new president and finally achieve a democratic transition in Togo”.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 7, 2024
- 93 views
POLITICIANS TRADE BLOWS IN CHURCH AT FUND RAISING
POLITICIANS TRADE BLOWS IN CHURCH AT FUND RAISING A scheduled fund raising event has resulted in chaos after a presiding legislator’s conduct apparently irked opponents. The microphone he was using was snatched away from him, with a group of angry youths chasing off the podium, deeper down the auditorium. Teargas cannister was lobbed at the pulpit as tension escalated, sending scores of worshipers running helter-skelter. All of these played out within the swampy Etono grounds in Bomachoge Borabu, where five Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) churches had gathered for a fund-raising event. All would probably have gone well, but for the fact that the event attracted rival politicians, six Members of Parliament (MPs) from different political parties. All seemed to have gone well, until the presiding legislator, Sylvanus Osoro, South Mugirango MP and Chief Whip, at the podium made a comment. Pockets of youths sandwiched among the congregants started jeering at him, and at a point, the microphone he was using was snatched away from him, In fact, the youths chased him off the podium deeper into the dais where other MPs were sitting. In the melee, a police officer unleashed a tear gas cannister, sending the attendees to scamper. It took awhile to bring the situation under control, Bomachoge MP Obadiah Barongo said he had called Kibagendi as a “deployment to forestall attacks from the army of by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) MPs that had attended the function”. Signs of trouble had manifested when the MP walked into the church escorted by dozens of unruly boda boda riders (commercial motorcyclists) who kept jeering at the UDA leaders as they addressed. Star newspaper quotes South Mugirango MP, Sylvanus Osoro, as later, calming nerves but urged politicians to desist from violence especially in churches. He equally apologised for the ugly turn of events. “Nobody should die for any politician, all of us here are brothers. All of you will leave this function to your respective homes as we go to town to eat lunch together,” Osoro said.How indeed could politicians trade blows in church? The question would continue to resonate.
- Foreign Affairs
- April 26, 2024
- 98 views
THOUSANDS OF DOCTORS CONSIDERING LEAVING UK – GMC
THOUSANDS OF DOCTORS CONSIDERING LEAVING UK – GMC Factors driving thousands of doctors to consider leaving the UK have been revealed in new research published by the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC had commissioned independent research into the reasons doctors may be considering, or have already made, a move abroad. The report, Identifying groups of migrating doctors, also makes recommendations for interventions that may persuade more of them to stay. Feeling undervalued, a lack of progression opportunities and disillusionment with the UK’s healthcare systems, are just some of the motivations researchers identified that make doctors want to leave. A survey of doctors asked how likely they were to move abroad to practise medicine in the next 12 months, to which over 13% of those practising in the UK answered ‘very likely’. A further 17% said they were ‘fairly likely’. “This is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in the UK, but it also presents valuable insight into how healthcare leaders, employers and workforce planners can target interventions to improve conditions.” More than 3,000 doctors – including those who have left the UK to practise abroad, had left and since returned, or are currently still working in the UK – answered questions on how satisfied they felt day-to-day, their experiences of working in the UK and their attitudes towards migration. Following analysis of the data, researchers split doctors into six distinct groups based on shared attitudes and experiences towards work and life as a doctor in the UK: -1). Deep discontent: the most negative and most likely to say they will leave in the next year. These are doctors who are dissatisfied on multiple fronts with the political environment, UK healthcare systems and its effects on their wellbeing. -2). System sceptics: concerned about the direction of the health systems and dissatisfied with their own working conditions, these doctors feel undervalued and unsupported. Most likely to be attracted to English speaking countries where they feel there are better conditions. -3). Burnt-out: working in the UK has left this group exhausted and unsatisfied with a low level of personal wellbeing and work-life balance. -4). Mobile career developers: neutral about working in the UK but obstacles to career progression could tempt this group to leave. A high proportion qualified overseas. -5). Open to opportunity: a relatively happy group of doctors, who may consider working abroad for a new challenge. -6). Happy in the UK: the most positive, this group has a high proportion of doctors who qualified overseas and who are happy working in the UK but may return to their home country at some point due to those connections. The report recommends targeting the top three categories of ‘deep discontent’, ‘system sceptics’ and ‘burnt-out’ as a priority, viewing these as having the greatest chance of significant impact to the workforce. The report highlighted general improvements to workplace conditions could have the biggest impact on retention. Doctors in the largest three groups reported feeling overworked and under-supported. A negative view of UK practice was also a key factor estimated to impact the three largest groups of doctors. The report showed a widespread perception that the UK’s health systems are ill equipped to provide patients with the care they need. Over 75% of doctors reported feeling under-valued professionally, demonstrating a concern with pay. The research said increasing pay would reduce its importance as a reason to move abroad. ‘This is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in the UK, but it also presents valuable insight into how healthcare leaders, employers and workforce planners can target interventions to improve conditions. Though the number of doctors actually leaving to practise abroad in 2023 was comparably low, these findings are a warning to all should conditions…
- Foreign Affairs
- April 26, 2024
- 73 views
US CRITICIZES ‘ARBITRARY ARRESTS’ OF EMEFIELE, NNAMDI KANU
US CRITICIZES ‘ARBITRARY ARRESTS’ OF GODWIN EMEFIELE, NNAMDI KANU The United States Government has criticized the arbitrary arrests of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by security personnel in Nigeria. In its ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ published Tuesday on the U.S. Department of State’s website, the U.S. highlighted concerns about lengthy pre-trial detention, denying detainees access to court, and frustrating the country’s judicial system. The report revealed that in the prosecution of corruption cases, law enforcement and intelligence agencies did not always follow due process, resulting in the arrest of suspects without appropriate arrest and search warrants. Regarding Emefiele’s case, the report detailed that he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) “for investigative reasons” on June 10. Although a Federal High Court in Lagos granted him bail on July 25, ordering him to be held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until bail was made, the DSS attempted to arrest him again, leading to a confrontation between DSS agents and Nigerian Correctional Service officers. Similarly, Nnamdi Kanu, designated as a leader of a government-designated terrorist organization, IPOB, was detained by the DSS on national security grounds. Despite being charged with treason, terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms, Kanu fled abroad in 2017 after skipping bail, only to be arrested and returned to Nigeria in 2021. In 2022, an appeal court in Abuja dropped all charges against Kanu and ordered his release, but the federal government appealed. The Supreme Court overturned the appeals court ruling on December 15, stating that Kanu faced terrorism charges despite acknowledging rights violations during his arrest and extradition. Kanu remained incarcerated at the year’s end. The report also highlighted challenges within Nigeria’s judicial system, including a shortage of trial judges, trial backlogs, endemic corruption, bureaucratic inertia, and undue political influence. It said delays in cases were exacerbated by logistical issues, such as the need for more vehicles to transport detainees to court and authorities losing case files.Overall, the U.S. expressed concerns about Nigeria’s judicial system’s inadequacies, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent legal processes to uphold human rights.
- Foreign Affairs
- April 26, 2024
- 100 views
APC SUPPORTERS ATTACKED, PREVENTED IGBO VOTERS FROM VOTING DURING 2023 ELECTION – US REPORT
APC SUPPORTERS ATTACKED, PREVENTED IGBO VOTERS FROM VOTING DURING 2023 ELECTION – US REPORT The United States Government has analysed how supporters of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), attacked and prevented supporters of opposition parties, particularly Igbo people, from exercising their voting rights during the Lagos State governorship election in March 2023. In a report titled, ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria’, the US Department of State noted that the recent 2023 general election in the most populous African country was characterised by irregularities and violent incidents. The report mentioned that several observers who were present during the election opined that the results of polls largely reflected the wills of the voters despite voters’ intimidation and suppression in some parts of the country. It says, “Abuses or Irregularities in Recent Elections: National elections were widely reported to have reflected the will of voters, despite technical and logistical difficulties, and some irregularities. “Many independent observers assessed the results of the presidential, legislative, and state-level elections during the year reflected the will of voters, despite reports of voter suppression and vote buying, campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy, violence, and intimidation. “During the March 18 state election in Lagos, All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters reportedly intimidated and suppressed voters in Igbo-dominated areas, which Labour Party presidential candidate and ethnically Igbo Peter Obi won in the February 25 national election. “Viral videos on social media showed APC supporters in Ojo threatening to attack ethnic Igbo voters presumed to be pro-Obi. In Eti-Osa, APC supporters also attacked journalists and, in some cases, shut down voting and prevented non-Yoruba voters from accessing polls.”“They similarly destroyed property and physically blocked voters in Amuwo-Odofin. According to videos posted on social media, police officers were present but failed to respond to attacks. There was no evidence that alleged perpetrators were arrested or prosecuted,” it added.
- Foreign Affairs
- April 9, 2024
- 88 views
US BREAKING APART? SURVEY SHOWS 50% IN 25 STATES IN SUPPORT
US BREAKING APART? SURVEY SHOWS 50% IN 25 STATES IN SUPPORT A leading Texas independence campaigner has said the United States is “breaking apart,” with over 50 percent of the population in 25 states ready to secede based on his interpretation of two recent surveys by the polling company YouGov. Questions about the integrity of the U.S. have increased in the face of fiercely partisan politics in Congress and the contested 2020 presidential election. In February 2023, House Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene sparked controversy after calling for a “national divorce” between “red states and blue states.” Between February 2 and 5, YouGov asked 35,000 Americans whether they would support their state seceding from the union and becoming an independent nation. The results varied considerably—from highs of 36 percent in Alaska, 31 percent in Texas and 29 percent in California to a low of 13 percent in Minnesota. Across the U.S., the survey found that 23 percent of Americans wanted their state to become independent, with 51 percent opposed and 27 percent unsure. Miller argued that in the survey, support for independence was lower than it should be because “polling companies have no idea how to poll the issue of secession or withdrawing from the union.” To support this argument, Miller referenced a separate YouGov survey conducted in February for the Independent California Institute. The survey of 500 Californian adults found that 58 percent believed Californians “would be better off than they are now in a scenario where California peacefully becomes an independent country with a friendly relationship with the U.S.” Miller said the question more accurately calculated support for secession, as it specified that it would be peaceful and focused on whether individuals thought they would personally be better off. Miller said there was a 29-point difference between the two surveys—with 29 percent of Californians saying they would support independence in the first, while 58 percent said independence would make them better off in the second. Rounding this figure to 30 percent, then extrapolating it across the U.S., Miller concluded that in 25 states the independence campaign would win a hypothetical independence referendum. An analysis by Newsweek found that there were 23 states in which you could produce a majority for independence if you added 30 percent to the figure supporting independence in the initial YouGov poll. Newsweek does not endorse these figures, and the 29 percent discrepancy between the two Californian figures can be explained by any number of factors, which means it cannot be extrapolated across the nation. Moreover, the second California poll was on whether residents thought independence would make them better off, not on whether they supported it. In his podcast, Miller added: “The United States is breaking apart. Some people think that Texas is the only state with one foot out the door, but there are actually other states where support for secession is surging and ready to hit the tipping point.” “The United States is flying apart,” he continued. “States are ready to withdraw and in larger numbers than I think the public is generally aware.” Speaking to Newsweek, Professor Matt Qvortrup, a political scientist and the author of I Want to Break Free: A Practical Guide to Making a New Country, argued that support for independence often increased during referendum campaigns. He said: “In independence referendums, you often see that those who want to secede win over the campaign. In Scotland, the SNP (the Scottish National Party) came from 29 percent at the beginning of the campaign and ended on 45 percent. “In Catalonia, Quebec, and in Scotland, support for independence was in the twenties when the issue was first discussed. This has in all cases moved within touching distance of independence.”Newsweek is committed to challenging…
- Foreign Affairs
- April 3, 2024
- 97 views
FAYE, SENEGAL’S NEW PRESIDENT: FROM PRISON TO PRESIDENCY
FAYE, SENEGAL’S NEW PRESIDENT: FROM PRISON TO PRESIDENCY Senegal’s new President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was sitting in a prison cell just a few months ago, a relatively unknown figure outside his opposition party, Pastef. But, everything changed for him when the party’s firebrand leader, Ousmane Sonko, who was also detained, was charged with insurrection in July and barred from running in elections to succeed President Macky Sall. That cleared the way for Faye to emerge from the shadow of his former boss and eventually from prison, to become Senegalese new President the same day he celebrated his 44th birthday. It was an unlikely climb to the top for an unlikely national figurehead. Faye was a tax inspector before he became Sonko’s trusted lieutenant, and Pastef’s secretary general. Where Sonko is charismatic, with a verve that has attracted thousands of the country’s jobless youths to his anti-establishment movement, Faye cuts an austere figure. Sonko’s endorsement of his former deputy in the run-up to the delayed election was crucial, but a little short on rabble-rousing emotion. “My choice of Diomaye is not a choice from the heart, but from reason. I chose him because he meets the criteria that I have defined. He is competent and has attended the most prestigious school in Senegal,” Sonko said in a video message. “No one can say he is not honest. I would even say that he is more honest than me. I entrust the project into his hands,” Sonko said. According to Faye’s biography on his campaign website, he was often the top of his class growing up. He graduated from high school on Senegal’s southern coast in 2000, then studied law and got a master’s degree from Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University. In 2004, the devout Muslim passed the competitive entrance exam to Senegal’s National School of Administration, which trains the former French colony’s top civil servants, where he specialised as a tax inspector. He was arrested in April 2023, a few months before Sonko was also held, and charged with contempt of court and defaming magistrates, charges Faye had denied. Crucially, unlike Sonko, he was not barred from running in elections. Convinced that Sonko’s detention and the banning of Pastef were part of a ploy by Sall’s government to eliminate strong rivals from the election, all accusations rejected by the government, several party members, including Faye put their names forward. Faye eventually made the cut while still in prison, despite a late challenge from ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba to have his candidacy rejected by the Constitutional Council. A coalition of more than 100 parties, and some political heavyweights, including former Prime Minister Aminata Toure, joined Faye’s campaign under the banner “Doimaye mooy Sonko,” which in the local Wolof language, means ‘Diomaye is Sonko.’ Thanks to a general amnesty law passed shortly before the vote to ease political tensions, Sonko and Faye left their prison cells in Dakar earlier last month, accompanied by thousands of supporters, who danced and chanted through the night. Both hit the campaign trail, crisscrossing the country and drawing thousands to their rallies and caravans. A 36-year-old part-time driver, Sidy Lamine Badji, who voted for Faye, rejected criticism that the candidate who lost a municipal election in his home town in 2022 was inexperienced in government affairs. “This is false. He has dignity. I believe in his promise and that he will not betray us,” Badji said, his voice choking. Faye has declined to say what role Sonko might play in any future government, and has insisted he would be his own man. “Why do we want to focus on just one person in a government when I have a coalition that includes more than 120 people?” he said, brushing off…
- Foreign Affairs
- April 2, 2024
- 87 views
TRUMP WANTS BIDEN TO APOLOGIZE FOR DECLARING EASTER SUNDAY ‘TRANSGENDER OF VISIBILITY’
TRUMP WANTS BIDEN TO APOLOGIZE FOR DECLARING EASTER SUNDAY ‘TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY Former President Trump has called for an immediate apology from President Joe Biden to millions of Christians and Catholics for proclaiming Easter Sunday as Trans Visibility Day. Trump campaign said that the action is part of the Biden administration’s ‘years-long assault on the Christian faith.’ Trump’s demand for an apology from President Biden came after prominent politicians and conservative commentators declared outrage over the ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’ on the most solemn Christian holiday. House Speaker, Mike Johnson posted on X saying that “The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter — which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Banning sacred truth and tradition—while at the same time proclaiming Easter Sunday as ‘Transgender Day’—is outrageous and abhorrent. The American people are taking note.” Biden sparked fury over the week by declaring March 31 “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which this year is also Easter Sunday. However, Trump’s national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, called it “appalling and insulting” that Biden “formally proclaimed Easter Sunday as ‘Trans Day of Visibility.’” Leavitt said Biden’s announcement is an example of his administration’s “years-long assault on the Christian faith.” “We call on Joe Biden’s failing campaign and the White House to issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only — the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” she said.Leavitt also accused the Biden administration of banning religious egg designs in its Easter Art Event, which part of the White House’s Easter traditions that include the annual Easter Egg Roll.
- Foreign Affairs
- March 30, 2024
- 132 views
KING CHARLES HAS ONLY TWO YEARS TO LIVE, FUNERAL PLANS UNVEILED
KING CHARLES HAS ONLY TWO YEARS TO LIVE, FUNERAL PLANS UNVEILED King Charles III has only been Britain’s reigning monarch for 18 months, yet his funeral plans are already set amid his battle with pancreatic cancer. Named “Operation Menai Bridge,” the monarch’s funeral processions will look similar to Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremonies, dubbed “Operation London Bridge.” As his cancer progresses, royal insiders tell In Touch that Charles’ final resting plans are of timely prioritization. “It’s a fairly common thing to do among the British royalty, but in Charles’ case expediency is necessary,” says the source, who notes that “some courtiers believe Charles’ cancer is worse than they’re making it out to be.” “Operation Menai Bridge” is set to include familiar protocols. When the monarch dies, Charles’ body will be moved from the throne room at Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. He will lie in state, and his official funeral will take place nine days later. He will likely be buried in the royal vault at Windsor Castle. “It will have all the pomp and circumstance befitting a British monarch,” adds the source. The update comes shortly after a separate high ranking royal insider told In Touch that Charles is not only battling pancreatic cancer – a timely update given that he did not share what kind of cancer he was diagnosed with – but has a mere two years to live. “King Charles is much sicker than the palace lets on and simply isn’t up to the job of running his fractious family, the crown’s business interests and fulfilling the daily duties of the monarchy,” the member of the royal inner circle revealed in early March. “His cancer is eating him alive. He’s very frail. The situation is desperate.” Royal watchers have begun to witness his decline, too. Though he will be stepping out on Easter Sunday for a service at Windsor, the king is missing from the royal calendar for the foreseeable future, instead relying heavily on his sister, Princess Anne, to do the work of the royal family. While many would have assumed his heir, Prince William, would be stepping up to the plate, he too is missing from the royal schedule due to Princess Kate Middleton’s own cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, additional sources told In Touch that more could be at play between Charles and William outside of the family’s respective health crises, as the king is under the impression William is not ready to take the throne. “Charles knows the pressures of being the monarch, and he just isn’t sure William is ready to take his place,” the third insider revealed, noting that William is “currently facing a public relations disaster.” “It seems premature, and there could be consequences.” With such an update, the future of the monarchy seems shaky at best, and even Queen Camilla is said to be frustrated by Charles’ declining health and weakened status. “Behind the scenes, Camilla is disgusted by the king’s apparent weakness and is providing him little comfort as he battles his fatal cancer,” a palace courtier told In Touch in early March, highlighting her vacation from royal duties which started on March 4.“By going on holiday, she was thumbing her nose at stepson William, who is incapable of shouldering the monarchy’s burdens on his own.”
- Foreign Affairs
- March 26, 2024
- 133 views
INTERPOL GOES AFTER FLEEING BINANCE DIRECTOR – MINISTER
INTERPOL GOES AFTER FLEEING BINANCE DIRECTOR – MINISTER Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday said there is no hiding place for Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Director of Binance who escaped from custody and fled the country after he was detained by the Nigerian Government. The minister said the International Police (Interpol) were currently on Anjarwalla’s trail. Idris was reacting to the Binance executive’s escape from Nigeria. According to Idris, since Binance is an international firm, there is no way the culprit will evade arrest. His explanation came barely few hours after the Office of the National Security Adviser confirmed that Anjarwalla, a key suspect in the ongoing criminal investigation regarding Binance’s activities in Nigeria, managed to escape lawful custody on Friday, March 22nd, 2024. In an official statement released by the Head of Strategic Communication for the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, it was explained that collaborative efforts between the office, relevant security agencies, various government bodies and the international community are already underway to swiftly locate and detain the fugitive. The statement stressed that security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect as preliminary investigation shows that Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport. The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention. It would be recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform. Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serves as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts before he escaped while under a 14-day remand order issued by a court.He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024.