Former President Akufo-Addo Leads Commonwealth Mission to Bangladesh Amidst Heightened Global Diplomatic and Security Tensions

9th February•3 min read•11 sources

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to chair the Commonwealth Observer Group for the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections and referendum scheduled for February 12. Leading a 14-member delegation appointed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Akufo-Addo’s mission aims to ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process. This high-profile diplomatic assignment comes at a time of significant geopolitical flux, as regional tensions in East Africa and diplomatic shifts in the Maghreb signal a period of heightening international complexity. Since arriving in Dhaka, the observer group has engaged in preliminary meetings with a wide array of stakeholders, including media representatives, civil society organizations, and various political parties to evaluate the inclusiveness of the pre-election environment. While efforts to secure democracy continue in South Asia, regional stability in Africa faces renewed challenges. In East Africa, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Gedion Timothewos, has formally accused Eritrea of military aggression, citing the occupation of Ethiopian territory and the backing of internal armed groups. Relations between the two nations have deteriorated sharply since the 2018 peace deal, with recent joint military movements raising fears of a return to open conflict. Simultaneously, West Africa remains a focal point for security cooperation; Nigerian President Bola Tinubu recently hosted a high-level United States military delegation led by General Dagvin R. Anderson of USAFRICOM to discuss ongoing security collaboration and the recent deployment of U.S. troops to the region. In the Maghreb, Algeria has moved to cancel its 2013 air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following accusations from President Tebboune regarding UAE meddling in regional affairs and internal Algerian politics. These diplomatic rifts are mirrored by policy controversies in the West, where the influence of hardline advisors like Stephen Miller in the Trump administration continues to draw scrutiny. Miller’s aggressive immigration strategies have sparked domestic debate and falling approval ratings, highlighting the friction between nationalistic policy agendas and public sentiment. From the rail safety strikes in Spain following fatal crashes to the high-stakes election monitoring in Bangladesh, these events underscore a global trend toward heightened domestic accountability and fragile international alliances. As Akufo-Addo and his team prepare to oversee the democratic transition in Bangladesh, the success of their mission will serve as a bellwether for international intervention in domestic governance. Meanwhile, the escalating rhetoric between Ethiopia and Eritrea serves as a reminder that without sustained diplomatic engagement, hard-won peace remains precarious in an increasingly volatile global order.

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politics|11th February

Ghana Strengthens Economic Framework with New Fiscal Council, Tax Reforms, and Regional Industrial Drives

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politics|11th February

NDC Retains Mohammed Baba Jamal for Ayawaso East By-Election Amid Vote-Buying Scandal

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially confirmed that Mohammed Baba Jamal will remain its parliamentary candidate for the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election, despite an internal investigative committee recommending the annulment of his primary victory. The decision follows a high-stakes probe into allegations of widespread vote-buying during the February 7, 2026, primaries. While the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) received a report confirming significant electoral irregularities, leadership has cited the Electoral Commission’s (EC) February 11 nomination deadline as the primary reason for upholding the results. The investigation, which involved questioning all candidates in the primary, highlighted major breaches of the party’s code of conduct. Findings presented by committee member Inusah Fuseini on February 10 indicated that Baba Jamal allegedly secured his victory through the distribution of cash and household items, including 32-inch television sets, to delegates. Despite these findings, the report was officially handed over to the FEC for a final verdict, where the practicalities of the upcoming by-election took precedence over the recommendation to void the results. NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey defended the decision by pointing to "insurmountable" time constraints and potential legal liabilities. Kwetey emphasized that the party risked being left without a candidate for the by-election if a rerun was attempted so close to the EC’s filing deadline. Furthermore, the General Secretary noted that the investigation revealed inappropriate conduct among all candidates, suggesting that the issues identified were not limited to the winner alone. In response to these failings, the NDC has announced plans to expand its investigative mechanisms and pursue internal reforms to curb the influence of money in future party elections. The decision has sparked significant debate within Ghana's political landscape. While some Members of Parliament called for a rerun to maintain the party's integrity, local constituency executives pushed for the results to stand. Civil society has also weighed in, with Peace Watch Ghana’s Executive Director, Nyonkopa Daniels, labeling the calls for annulment as "hypocritical." Daniels challenged lawmakers to pursue comprehensive, nationwide electoral reforms rather than targeting individual outcomes, arguing that the practice of vote-buying is a systemic issue that requires a broader solution.

politics|11th February

Legal Action and Farmer Unrest Intensify Pressure on COCOBOD Leadership Over Asset Declaration Failures

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