presidential candidate - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Ghana ruling party presidential candidate says he opposes same-sex relations

THE presidential candidate of Ghana's ruling party, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, said that he was opposed to "the practice of homosexuality", a stance he promised to maintain if elected in December. President Nana Akufo-Addo faces pressure to sign into law one of Africa's most severe anti-LGBT bills, which has been criticised by rights advocates and the United Nations. Speaking at prayers marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Bawumia did not refer to the bill but said: "It is important to note that our cultural and societal norms and values as Ghanaians frown on the practice of homosexuality. "All…

Mar

2024

By PORTIA CROWE and DIADIE BA

Senegal’s president-elect Faye vows to govern with humility

NEWS

SENEGAL opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a political newcomer popular among disaffected youth, promised to govern with humility and transparency. Faye, set to be declared the next president after his main rival called him to concede defeat, thanked President Macky Sall and other candidates for respecting Senegal's democratic tradition by recognising his victory well before the official results. "In electing me, the Senegalese people have decided on a break with a past," Faye told journalists in his first public appearance since the election. "I promise to govern with humility and transparency." Provisional results showed Faye with about 53.7% and…

Mar

2024

By The African Mirror

Senegal opposition leader backs off promise to create national currency

NEWS

SENEGAL will seek to implement a reform of the West Africa region's CFA franc currency at a regional level first and if that fails, will consider creating a national currency, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said. Speaking at a joint press conference with presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye a day after they were both released from jail, Sonko's comments seemed aimed at easing concerns after their election campaign, which promised to introduce the new currency if Faye wins. Faye is one of the main candidates in Senegal's March 24 presidential election. He is backed by the popular firebrand Sonko, who was disqualified from…

Mar

2024

By SOFIA CHRISTENSEN and BATE FELIX

Freed from jail, Senegal opposition presidential candidate draws hundreds to first event

NEWS

A day after his release from jail, Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye drew hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender for the March 24 elections, promising to tackle corruption. Next to him, the popular firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko urged supporters to vote for his ally. "We have an election to win. We have lost too much time," Sonko, also released from prison on Thursday, said at a joint news briefing. Firebrand Sonko - who was seen as the key challenger to President Macky Sall's ruling party - threw his support behind Faye after being disqualified over…

Mar

2024

By BATE FELIX and NGOUDA DIONE

Thousands celebrate release of jailed Senegal opposition leaders

NEWS

SENEGALESE opposition firebrand Ousmane Sonko and the presidential candidate he is backing in the March 24 election, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison, state broadcaster RTS said on its website. Their release had been expected after parliament passed an amnesty law on March 6 as the authorities sought to ease tensions following their thwarted bid to postpone the vote by 10 months. RTS did not give further details, and it was not immediately clear where the pair were after their release. Thousands of supporters massed in Dakar, the capital, to celebrate the news, chanting Sonko's name on the gridlocked street where…

Mar

2024

By The African Mirror

Campaign for jailed Senegal election candidate Faye takes to the road

NEWS

BACKERS of detained opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye are taking his campaign to the streets of Senegal with posters and bracelets, drumming up support in the hope he will be released before the vote. Faye was relatively unknown within Senegal's tumultuous political scene until popular firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko backed his candidacy for the March 24 vote. Sonko, who enjoys widespread support among Senegal's jobless youths, is also in detention and disqualified from the race over a defamation conviction. Sonko denies any wrongdoing. Faye, who is facing charges including defamation and contempt of court, remains eligible because there has been…

Feb

2024

By MAXWELL AKALAARE ADOMBILA

Presidential candidate of Ghana’s ruling party outlines main policies

NEWS

GHANA'S Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia said he was ready to lead the nation in a campaign launch speech, pledging to revive the battered economy, fight graft, and boost the private sector if elected president in December. The 60-year-old economist was overwhelmingly voted presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in November, teeing up a contest with former President John Mahama. The former central banker said he was ready to be "in the driver's seat" in a speech to crowds of supporters at the University of Professional Studies in Accra. "I want to build a Ghana where we leverage…

Jan

2024

By STEVE HOLLAND, NANDITA BOSE and TREVOR HUNNICUTT

U.S. does not support Taiwan independence, Biden says

WORLD

U.S. President Joe Biden said that the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan after Taiwanese voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term. Earlier in the day, the Taiwanese ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te came to power, strongly rejecting Chinese pressure to spurn him, and pledged both to stand up to Beijing and seek talks. "We do not support independence..." Biden said when asked for reaction to Saturday's elections. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support a formal…

Jan

2024

By YIMOU LEE and SARAH WU

Taiwan’s voters rebuff China and give ruling party third presidential term

WORLD

TAIWANESE voters swept the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te into power on Saturday, strongly rejecting Chinese pressure to spurn him, as China said it would not give up on achieving "reunification". Lai's party, which champions Taiwan's separate identity and rejects China's territorial claims, was seeking a third successive four-year term, unprecedented under Taiwan's current electoral system. However, in a measure of public frustration at domestic issues like the high cost of housing and stagnating wages after eight years in power, the DPP lost its majority in parliament, making Lai's job harder in passing legislation. Lai also only won…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Madagascar presidential candidate shows injury after opposition rally teargassed

NEWS

FORMER Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana said he had sustained a leg injury when police and soldiers fired teargas to disperse a gathering of his supporters and those of other candidates challenging the incumbent president. Ravalomanana, who is among 11 candidates cleared to challenge President Andry Rajoelina in elections set for Nov. 9, showed on his Facebook page a photo of an injury on his left leg with blood dripping from it. It was not immediately clear what specifically caused the injury. A spokesperson for Ravalomanana did not immediately respond when sought for comment. Police and other government officials were not…