corruption

Somalia's Political Landscape: The Emergence of the Xaqsoor Party Mogadishu (AX) — As Somalia inches closer to its first direct national elections since the tumultuous year of 1969, the political stage is witnessing a transformation. A new reformist political party, the Xaqsoor Party, spearheaded by former Minister of Planning Abdirahman Aynte, aims to challenge the status quo of elite-driven governance and systemic injustices. This week, the party made its debut against a backdrop of rising tensions between federal…

Equatorial Guinea is actively advocating for a petition submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICJ), aiming to block the French government's sale of a high-value property owned by Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. This residence was seized in 2021, following his conviction under French legislation that targets wealth illicitly acquired by foreign leaders. The stakes are high, both politically and financially. The response from Equatorial Guinea's ambassador to France, Carmelo Nvono-Ncá, has been…

In the midst of a turbulent political climate, President Cyril Ramaphosa has labeled the recent allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu as a "grave national security concern." This statement came in light of serious accusations made by Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, a leading police official, who has stirred the waters by alleging that there has been interference in investigations into political assassinations. These revelations emerged while Ramaphosa was attending the BRICS summit, a critical platform for international…

In the heart of Kenya, a palpable tension courses through the streets as citizens gather in protest. Holding placards emblazoned with "WANTAM," a slogan that creatively encapsulates their desire for President William Ruto to serve just a single term, they assertively raise their index fingers aloft. "He must go," they declare, setting their sights on 2027, just four years away. Some even argue that three years too long. It might seem counterintuitive, but the rise of Kenya’s fifth president, Ruto, has been marked less by…

The African Economic Outlook Kenya Country Focus Report, recently unveiled in Nairobi, brings to light critical vulnerabilities within Kenya's economic framework. Through an examination of mismanagement, extensive tax exemptions, and lax oversight mechanisms, the report illustrates how these factors are gradually eroding the nation’s revenue base and stifling its ability to fund essential sectors of growth. Public Spending Inefficiencies and Tax Waivers Take a Toll One of the most striking figures from…

An Israeli court has decided to postpone Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his ongoing corruption trial after he requested a delay, supported by US President Donald Trump. This ruling was made public by Netanyahu's party. "Following the explanations given, we partially accept the request and cancel at this stage Mr. Netanyahu's hearings scheduled for this week," noted the Jerusalem District Court in its online bulletin released by the Likud Party. Netanyahu's legal team petitioned the court to excuse him…

Ex-Somali President Rejects Al-Shabaab Allegations, Cites Security Corruption MOGADISHU, Somalia — The air was thick with tension as former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed stood before a diverse gathering at a political conference on Wednesday. His message was unambiguous: accusations by the government suggesting opposition sympathy towards Al-Shabaab are, in his words, "baseless and politically motivated." The former president, known for his candidness, described these allegations as a calculated…

In a striking development, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the temporary closure of the country’s embassy in the United States. This drastic measure stems from an ongoing investigation concerning serious allegations of visa fraud. The troubling revelations came to light following a meticulous audit that uncovered a sophisticated fraudulent operation purportedly orchestrated by a locally recruited staff member in collaboration with accomplices over a span of five years. Imagine the…

Northeastern State's Bold Shift Toward Electoral Transparency Garowe (AX) – In an ambitious move geared towards reforming its electoral process, the Northeastern State administration is taking definitive steps to abolish the secret ballot system traditionally used for electing local council members and parliamentarians. This change aims not just to enhance transparency but also to tackle the pressing issues of corruption and bribery that have, unfortunately, overshadowed past elections. The Northeastern State…

In a dramatic turn of events, Augustin Matata Ponyo, the former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been handed a ten-year sentence of forced labor for his role in the embezzlement of approximately $245 million in public funds. Joining him in this legal debacle is Deogratias Mutombo, the former governor of the central bank, who has received a five-year sentence. The echoes of this case reverberate through the halls of Congolese politics, raising questions about accountability and governance. The…