分类： politics

In a significant diplomatic development, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has granted a pardon to French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, allowing him to leave the country nearly a year after his arrest. Sansal, 81, who is battling prostate cancer, was en route to Germany for medical treatment on a military plane on Wednesday evening. His release follows a direct appeal from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who cited Sansal’s advanced age and fragile health as reasons for clemency. Steinmeier acted as a ‘trusted third party’ in the negotiations, leveraging his strong relationship with Algeria’s leader. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude to Tebboune for this ‘act of humanity,’ emphasizing France’s role in maintaining respect and calm throughout the process. Sansal had been sentenced to five years in prison in July for undermining national unity through remarks questioning Algeria’s borders. His case had exacerbated tensions between France and Algeria, already strained by France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and other diplomatic spats. The release marks a potential thaw in relations, though tensions persist, particularly over the imprisonment of French sportswriter Christophe Gleizes. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised diplomatic efforts and expressed hope for Gleizes’s imminent release.

In Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), the nation’s constitutional court commenced hearings on Wednesday regarding a petition seeking to bar President Faustin Archange Touadera from contesting the upcoming December presidential election. The petition, lodged by the Observatory for Democratic Governance, a civil society organization, contends that Touadera fails to meet the constitutional prerequisites for presidential candidacy. Elysée Nguimalé, the group’s president, has raised concerns over the origin of Touadera’s name, asserting that it implies an ambiguous lineage. Nguimalé argued that the name ‘Touadera’ in the president’s native tongue translates to ‘a child abandoned by his maternal uncles,’ suggesting an unknown paternal lineage. This, he claims, violates Article 65 of the country’s Family Code, which mandates clear ancestry for presidential candidates. Territorial Administration Minister Bruno Yapandé dismissed the petition as an attempt to ‘sow confusion among the public.’ The court’s decision remains pending, with no clear timeline for a verdict. The controversy unfolds as Touadera seeks a third term, made possible by the abolition of term limits in 2023. The election is set against a backdrop of a lingering security crisis and Touadera’s efforts to secure Russian support. Meanwhile, opposition leader Anicet Georges Dologuélé faces potential statelessness after the government refused to issue him a passport. The final list of candidates for the December 28 election has yet to be released.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has labeled the United States’ decision to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg as “their loss.” The U.S. government’s absence from the November 22-23 meeting of global leaders was announced last week by President Donald Trump, who cited controversial and widely disputed claims about the persecution of South Africa’s white minority. Ramaphosa, speaking outside the South African Parliament on Wednesday, urged the U.S. to reconsider its stance, stating that boycott politics “doesn’t work” in his experience. He emphasized that the G20 summit would proceed as planned, with other heads of state in attendance, and that the U.S. absence would not hinder the event’s outcomes. Trump’s decision follows months of criticism directed at South Africa’s Black-led government, including its stance on Israel and allegations of anti-white racism. Ramaphosa also highlighted the U.S.’s role as the world’s largest economy, suggesting that its absence undermines its global influence. The G20, established in 1999, brings together major economies to address global economic and developmental challenges. The U.S. is set to assume the G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the year. Trump’s claims about violence against Afrikaners have been echoed by conservative U.S. media figures and South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has accused the government of racism due to its affirmative action policies. Ramaphosa’s administration has dismissed these allegations as misinformation, while U.S.-South Africa relations have reached their lowest point since the end of apartheid in 1994.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly criticized the United States’ decision to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, labeling it as a significant loss for the US. The decision, announced by US President Donald Trump, stems from unsubstantiated claims of white persecution in South Africa. Ramaphosa, speaking outside parliament, emphasized that the US’s absence would not hinder the summit’s proceedings, stating, ‘Boycott politics doesn’t work.’ He further highlighted that the US is relinquishing its crucial role as the world’s largest economy by opting out of the event. The G20 summit, scheduled for November 22-23, has been marred by controversy following Trump’s social media post calling South Africa’s hosting a ‘total disgrace.’ Trump initially planned to send Vice-President JD Vance in his stead but later retracted, reiterating his unfounded allegations of human rights abuses against Afrikaners. South Africa has firmly denied these claims, asserting that there is no evidence supporting the notion of white genocide or land confiscation without compensation. The government has labeled these accusations as baseless and lacking credible support. As the summit approaches, Ramaphosa remains steadfast in his commitment to ensuring its success, despite the US’s withdrawal.