Politics
Bolivia: Evo Morales accuses government of refusing talks
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales said he is on a hunger strike until the government holds talks with him. His supporters have taken to the streets, blocking roads in the mountainous country.
Former Bolivian president Evo Morales on Sunday said he would go on a hunger strike until the government agreed for dialogue with him.
He was on the third day of his hunger strike, which he began to get “international organizations or friendly governments” facilitating talks with his political rival, President Luis Arce.
Morales was ousted from office five years ago. Tensions have risen in the past few days as his supporters have blocked highways in protest of the government trying to revive a 2016 rape case against Morales.
Case against Morales
Morales is being investigated for statutory rape, human trafficking and human smuggling over an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old girl in 2015.
The 65-year-old has denied any wrongdoing, and says the charges are being brought up to thwart his political comeback in the upcoming elections.
He said he is being targeted because he belongs to the ethnic Aymara community. In 2006, he became the first Indigenous person to rule the Latin American nation, staying in office until 2019, when he resigned under pressure from the military after elections marked by allegations of fraud.
Protests against the government
Morales is currently accusing Bolivia’s government of avoiding his requests for dialogue over protests against these charges. His supporters have started blocking roads since last month.
The Bolivian government accused those protesters on Friday of holding soldiers hostage.
Morales has been living in Chapare, Bolivia’s rural coca-growing region that serves as his stronghold.
“I asked for immediate dialogue… and the government’s response was to arrest… comrades and take them to La Paz,” he told the AFP news agency.
“Luis Arce’s response has been repression, an attempt on our lives, a judicial war and the taking of dozens of our comrades as hostages, transferring them to La Paz,” he said in a post on X.
During a protest in La Paz, some 3,000 security forces quelled protests using tear gas. Morales has called for the release of 66 people detained by the police during the protests.
“It’s not that I, Evo, want to be president. The people have asked me to return. During my administration there was stability. When there is economic and political stability, there is happiness,” he told the AP news agency.
Morales has also claimed he survived an assassination attempt against him last month.
Road blocking is a common protest method to cut off access in the country, which has a mountainous terrain. Government estimates have estimated losses of up to $2.1 billion (€1.93 billion) after 21 days of protests.
Presidential aide Maria Nela Prada said the government has agreed to talk but only “to address issues that concern the executive branch and not other state bodies.”
Morales resigned in 2019 after accusations of fraud after the elections. He was barred from running again, but wants to compete against his former ally Arce in the 2025 elections.
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
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