Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, has given a clear indication that he would be running for a fifth term as president of the tiny West African country during presidential elections slated for December 1 this year.
According to reports from the state broadcaster, Jammeh who has been in power for a little over two decades (22 years) had his candidacy approved by his Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party late last week.
The 50-year-old military officer came to power through a coup in 1994 and has ruled the country with an iron fist, Jammeh’s government have been criticised for human rights violations and a bad diplomatic record in the recent past.
HITS BACK AT CRITICS OVER TERM LIMITS
He sharply criticised suggestions that his tenure should be limited and pledged to continue being at the service of Gambians.
“This is a democracy and yet they speak of term limitations. Whichever western head of state or other leader wants to speak about term limitations… let them come to Gambia to talk to me,” Jammeh is quoted to have replied western leaders and rights groups.
The presidential election will take place on December 1 and will be followed by general elections on April 6, 2017.
As a result of growing concerns over human rights and governance issues, Gambia was stripped of about 22 million euros ($27 million) in budget support by the European Union in 2010.
Gambia, a former British colony; has a population of nearly two million, 90 percent Muslims. eight percent are Christian and the remaining two percent having indigenous beliefs.
Jammeh flaunts his Muslim identity as he is often seen holding a Koran and/or prayer beads, promoting an aura of mysticism, he recently declare the Gambia an ‘Islamic Republic.’
Source: africanews.com
Monday, February 29, 2016
Uganda:Elections were not credible - Botswana
The re-election of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for another term as president of Uganda has continued to elicit mixed reactions the world over, with the latest being refusal by an African country to recognize him as the duly elected leader of the East African nation.
Botswana is the only African country that has so far refused to accept Museveni’s re-election, saying it is going by the report by international observers like the European Union and the Commonwealth.
In a statement by Botswana Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation, the South African nation says that it has taken note of the reports of international observer groups on the recent general election, and therefore does not believe that Museveni was genuinely elected as president.
“The Government of Botswana has observed that based on the findings of some international observers, the elections were characterised by, amongst others; lack of transparency, reported incidents of intimidation and harassment, social media restrictions, as well as continuous arrests and detention of a prominent leader of the opposition,” the statement said.
Botswana further said that it is appalling that the elections were conducted amid sabotage of democratic rights and freedoms, and is concerned that the outcome is not true and authentic.
“Government of Botswana remains deeply concerned that such conduct during an election would have deeply undermined the norms of best practice governing democratic elections, as well as, the continent’s efforts towards consolidation of democracy,” the statement read further.
During the election, Uganda police closed down social media platforms, arrested key opposition leader Kizza Besigye and cracked down on the opposition for protesting the manner in which the election was being conducted.
There were also claims of massive rigging and closing down of polling stations in opposition strongholds to sabotage Besigye’s possible win.
Museveni was eventually declared winner by the Ugandan electoral commission, garnering over 60% of the total votes cast. Besigye had 35.4% of the votes.
A number of African leaders have since congratulated Museveni. Among the countries include Kenya, Burundi, South Africa and Rwanda. Russia has also congratulated the old man.
President Uhuru Kenyatta found himself in the centre of a storm after congratulating Museveni. Angry Kenyans took to social media to disown his congratulatory message, saying he only did it as an individual and not on behalf of Kenyans.
Museveni has been in power since 1986 when he took over through a rebellion. He has also said that he does not subscribe to term limits, indicating he is likely to remain in power as long as he lives.
Source: tuko.co.ke
Botswana is the only African country that has so far refused to accept Museveni’s re-election, saying it is going by the report by international observers like the European Union and the Commonwealth.
In a statement by Botswana Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation, the South African nation says that it has taken note of the reports of international observer groups on the recent general election, and therefore does not believe that Museveni was genuinely elected as president.
“The Government of Botswana has observed that based on the findings of some international observers, the elections were characterised by, amongst others; lack of transparency, reported incidents of intimidation and harassment, social media restrictions, as well as continuous arrests and detention of a prominent leader of the opposition,” the statement said.
Botswana further said that it is appalling that the elections were conducted amid sabotage of democratic rights and freedoms, and is concerned that the outcome is not true and authentic.
“Government of Botswana remains deeply concerned that such conduct during an election would have deeply undermined the norms of best practice governing democratic elections, as well as, the continent’s efforts towards consolidation of democracy,” the statement read further.
During the election, Uganda police closed down social media platforms, arrested key opposition leader Kizza Besigye and cracked down on the opposition for protesting the manner in which the election was being conducted.
There were also claims of massive rigging and closing down of polling stations in opposition strongholds to sabotage Besigye’s possible win.
Museveni was eventually declared winner by the Ugandan electoral commission, garnering over 60% of the total votes cast. Besigye had 35.4% of the votes.
A number of African leaders have since congratulated Museveni. Among the countries include Kenya, Burundi, South Africa and Rwanda. Russia has also congratulated the old man.
President Uhuru Kenyatta found himself in the centre of a storm after congratulating Museveni. Angry Kenyans took to social media to disown his congratulatory message, saying he only did it as an individual and not on behalf of Kenyans.
Museveni has been in power since 1986 when he took over through a rebellion. He has also said that he does not subscribe to term limits, indicating he is likely to remain in power as long as he lives.
Source: tuko.co.ke
Niger: Incumbent Issoufou faces run-off against jailed opposition leader
Issoufou will bid for a second term on March 20 on a promise to clamp down on Islamist militants in what is one of the poorest countries in the world.
His opponent is a former prime minister who came second to Issoufou's 48.4 percent with 17.8 percent. Amadou has been in prison since November on charges relating to baby-trafficking. He says he is innocent and a victim of political repression.
Critics say Amadou's imprisonment is part of a crackdown by the government over the election season. The government says it respects the law and such criticisms are politically motivated.
Following the results, Issoufou congratulated the people of Niger for the peaceful election. "I also salute my adversaries in the first round and congratulate them for the quality of the debate," he told journalists.
A coalition of four parties agreed before the election to back the candidate that came second in a bid to defeat Issoufou.
Those parties gained a cumulative vote of about 38 percent, though it was unclear which side had an advantage ahead of the second round or how Amadou would campaign from prison. Turnout was nearly 67 percent, the National Electoral Commission said.
Niger is under threat from Nigeria-based Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has staged a series of cross-border attacks in the southeastern Diffa region, forcing the government to impose a state of emergency there.
Reuters
His opponent is a former prime minister who came second to Issoufou's 48.4 percent with 17.8 percent. Amadou has been in prison since November on charges relating to baby-trafficking. He says he is innocent and a victim of political repression.
Critics say Amadou's imprisonment is part of a crackdown by the government over the election season. The government says it respects the law and such criticisms are politically motivated.
Following the results, Issoufou congratulated the people of Niger for the peaceful election. "I also salute my adversaries in the first round and congratulate them for the quality of the debate," he told journalists.
A coalition of four parties agreed before the election to back the candidate that came second in a bid to defeat Issoufou.
Those parties gained a cumulative vote of about 38 percent, though it was unclear which side had an advantage ahead of the second round or how Amadou would campaign from prison. Turnout was nearly 67 percent, the National Electoral Commission said.
Niger is under threat from Nigeria-based Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has staged a series of cross-border attacks in the southeastern Diffa region, forcing the government to impose a state of emergency there.
Reuters
Comoros: 19 candidates demand recount of ballots
Nineteen out of the 25 candidates who contested presidential elections in the Comoros Islands are demanding a recount of the ballots.
The 19 includes former Head of State, Colonel Azali Assoumani, who was third in last Sunday’s polls.
A spokesperson for the 19 aggrieved candidates told a news conference there will be no second round voting if their demands are not met.
“We want a recount of the votes. There will be no second round before the recount”, Ibrahima Hissani said.
Vice president Mohammed Ali Soilihi who won the first round of voting with 17.61 percent appears to be the target of the 19 other candidates.
Ibrahim Hissani told reporters that the Governor for the Island of Grande Comore, Mouigni Baraka, who came second in Sunday’s polls had also signed a petition demanding a recount of the ballots. This claim could however not be immediately verified.
“Only one candidate cannot be right… He received 17 percent of the votes and we sum up the remaining 83 percent,” Hissani insisted.
Vice President Mohammed Ali Soilihi will face Colonel Azali Assoumani and Grand Comore Governor, Mouigni Baraka in the presidential runoff scheduled for April 10.
Fahmi Said Ibrahim, considered a favourite ahead of the polls, came in fourth place and has alleged that his low vote count was due to fraud.
An African Union observer mission led by former Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki noted that “apart from a few isolated incidents, the entire election took place in an orderly and peaceful manner”.
He has also urged “all political actors to keep (their) calm and to respect the results of this first round of the elections. “
The first round of voting last Sunday only took place in Grande Comore, in accordance with electoral rules that ensure the president is chosen on a rotating basis from one of the country’s three main islands.
Twenty-five candidates, all from the island of Grande Comore contested the polls.
The rotating presidency, created by the 2001 Constitution has stabilized the archipelago which has been rocked by separatist attacks and more than 20 coups or attempted coups in the years following the country’s independence from France in 1975.
Source: Africanews.com
The 19 includes former Head of State, Colonel Azali Assoumani, who was third in last Sunday’s polls.
A spokesperson for the 19 aggrieved candidates told a news conference there will be no second round voting if their demands are not met.
“We want a recount of the votes. There will be no second round before the recount”, Ibrahima Hissani said.
Vice president Mohammed Ali Soilihi who won the first round of voting with 17.61 percent appears to be the target of the 19 other candidates.
Ibrahim Hissani told reporters that the Governor for the Island of Grande Comore, Mouigni Baraka, who came second in Sunday’s polls had also signed a petition demanding a recount of the ballots. This claim could however not be immediately verified.
“Only one candidate cannot be right… He received 17 percent of the votes and we sum up the remaining 83 percent,” Hissani insisted.
Vice President Mohammed Ali Soilihi will face Colonel Azali Assoumani and Grand Comore Governor, Mouigni Baraka in the presidential runoff scheduled for April 10.
Fahmi Said Ibrahim, considered a favourite ahead of the polls, came in fourth place and has alleged that his low vote count was due to fraud.
An African Union observer mission led by former Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki noted that “apart from a few isolated incidents, the entire election took place in an orderly and peaceful manner”.
He has also urged “all political actors to keep (their) calm and to respect the results of this first round of the elections. “
The first round of voting last Sunday only took place in Grande Comore, in accordance with electoral rules that ensure the president is chosen on a rotating basis from one of the country’s three main islands.
Twenty-five candidates, all from the island of Grande Comore contested the polls.
The rotating presidency, created by the 2001 Constitution has stabilized the archipelago which has been rocked by separatist attacks and more than 20 coups or attempted coups in the years following the country’s independence from France in 1975.
Source: Africanews.com
Benin celebrates 26 years of multi-candidate presidential elections
Benin is marking its 26th anniversary of the National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation.
On Sunday the West African country will celebrate multi-candidate presidential elections just a week before voters head to the polls.
After an agreement on constitutional reforms in 1990, Benin put an end to 18 years of authoritarian regime.
“The first achievement of the National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation, it is primarily the preservation of social peace in preserving national unity,” Houdou Ali a Former minister said.
On March 6th the country will hold presidential elections in choose the fourth democratically elected leader.
A number of candidates including prominent businessmen are contesting to become Benin’s next president.
Source: africannews.com
On Sunday the West African country will celebrate multi-candidate presidential elections just a week before voters head to the polls.
After an agreement on constitutional reforms in 1990, Benin put an end to 18 years of authoritarian regime.
“The first achievement of the National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation, it is primarily the preservation of social peace in preserving national unity,” Houdou Ali a Former minister said.
On March 6th the country will hold presidential elections in choose the fourth democratically elected leader.
A number of candidates including prominent businessmen are contesting to become Benin’s next president.
Source: africannews.com
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