Momentum Insights: 7 July 2025
Hello,
Here’s a round-up of the latest headlines from the countries and organisations we follow, curated from top media sources.
“Most Corrupt Leader in Africa” – Angola’s General Contreiras Slams President Bio
Lawyer Ady Macauley Accuses President Bio of Breaching Constitution in Electoral Commissioner Appointment
President Hassan Tightens Her Party Grip
Speech by Founding President Oligui Nguema at the Creation of the UDB
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
“Most Corrupt Leader in Africa” – Angola’s General Contreiras Slams President Bio (Sierraloaded)
Angolan politician Carlos Contreiras has accused Sierra Leone’s president Julius Maada Bio of corruption and dictatorship, condemning his alleged attempt to pressure Burkina Faso’s president Ibrahim Traore to step down and calling for African leaders to reject Western influence and support self-determined governance.
Did President Bio Ask Captain Ibrahim Traoré to Step Down as Burkina Faso’s Leader? (Sierraloaded)
A Sierra Leonean public commentator has refuted social media claims that President Julius Maada Bio called for the resignation of Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and clarified that no such statement was made, not even during Bio’s official 2024 visit which focused on regional security and diplomacy.
Lawyer Ady Macauley Accuses President Bio of Breaching Constitution in Electoral Commissioner Appointment (Sierraloaded)
Prominent lawyer and opposition figure Ady Macauley has accused President Julius Maada Bio of violating Section 32(3) of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution by appointing a new electoral commissioner without consulting all registered political parties, warning that the move signals early attempts to manipulate the 2028 elections.
Gambia 🇬🇲
D1.2B Discrepancy Discovered in Financial Statements of Gov’t Accounts (The Point)
The Finance and Public Accounts Committee of the Gambia, chaired by Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe uncovered discrepancies exceeding D1.2 billion in the 2020 government financial statements, citing major misstatements, unallocated public funds, unauthorised budget virements, and failure to comply with programme-based budgeting guidelines, all of which raise serious concerns about financial accountability and transparency.
Tanzania 🇹🇿
President Hassan Tightens Her Party Grip (Africa Confidential)
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is strengthening her hold over the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party as both Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Vice-President Philip Mpango step down from politics, paving the way for her to form a new government with greater control ahead of the October elections, where she is reportedly unlikely to face strong opposition.
Gabon 🇬🇦
Speech by Founding President Oligui Nguema at the Creation of UDB (Gabon Actu)
In a founding speech at the creation of the Democratic Union of Builders, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema outlined a vision of national unity, inclusive governance and social democracy, calling on citizens, especially youth and women, to help shape a new political era for Gabon.
