Politics

29, December 2024

Chad votes in triple elections after three years of military rule ⁰

Chad voted Sunday in a general election the government says is a key step towards ending military rule, with turnout expected to be low after the opposition called for a boycott.

Midday figures suggested a turnout of just 38 percent to choose a new parliament, provincial assemblies and local councils, according to the elections management agency ANGE.

Election officials in the upmarket district where the president’s family and ruling dignitaries live put voter apathy down to the “cold weather”.

But opposition parties have urged Chad’s eight million voters to shun the election, the results of which they say had been decided in advance.

They “have all stayed at home following our call, that is, the overwhelming majority,” Succes Masra, leader of the opposition Transformers party, told AFP.

The boycott leaves the field open for candidates aligned with President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who was brought to power by the military in 2021 and then legitimised in a presidential election in May that opposition candidates denounced as fraudulent.

“I urge all my compatriots on the electoral roll to come out and vote en masse,” Deby posted on Facebook, alongside photos of himself casting his ballot on what he called a “historic day”.

‘Nothing’s been done yet’

On Saturday, Masra had said: “The fabricated results are already in the computers.”

Herve Natouingan, 28, a construction worker turned motorbike taxi driver due to a lack of job prospects, said it was “pointless” to cast a ballot because “there’s no real voting in Chad”.

Patrice Lumumba Deoumoundou, an unemployed 39-year-old, told AFP he had voted Sunday morning in the hope of “change across the board” — more jobs, fewer price rises, “more justice” and “more equality”.

“Nothing’s been done yet,” he said.

As in previous elections, soldiers, police officers and nomads voted on Saturday for logistical reasons.

Chad’s election management agency said there had been “record” turnout, with more than 72 percent in the army and 54 percent among nomads.

“There is a lot at stake locally in these elections,” it said.

“The nomads came to ask the people who will be elected tomorrow to improve their living conditions,” said sheikh Djibrine Hassabakarim, one of the community’s representatives.

He said climate change had made life hard for his community, killing livestock, triggering clashes with sedentary farmers and making it hard for them to feed their families.

Transition to democracy

Polling stations, which will remain open until 6:00 pm (1700 GMT), are being monitored by around 100 foreign election observers and representatives of political parties.

On Saturday evening, the opposition Democratic Party of the Chadian People (PDPT) said more than a thousand ballots intended for the sub-prefecture of Bongor had disappeared.

It called for “vigilance” to “thwart the fraud networks” it said had been set up by the ruling MPS party.

Voting is taking place against a backdrop of recurring attacks by the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, the ending of a military accord with former colonial master France and accusations that Chad is interfering in the conflict ravaging neighbouring Sudan.

The government has presented the elections as the final stage in the transition to democracy.

Deby took power in 2021 after the death of his father, who had ruled the Sahel country for three decades.

Source: AFP

17, December 2024

SDF leaders mobilize support for Joshua Osih ahead of 2025 presidential election ⁰

The leaders of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in Cameroon’s Centre region are calling on party militants to mobilize in support of Joshua Osih’s candidacy for next year’s presidential election. During a recent meeting of the region’s Executive Committee, it was agreed that every party member should act as an “ambassador” for Osih’s campaign. Additionally, the regional leadership is aiming to expand its ranks by recruiting new sympathizers, a move also intended to prepare for the upcoming legislative and municipal elections.

The critical question now is whether these measures will be enough to strengthen the SDF’s presence in the Centre region, particularly ahead of the presidential election. To meet this challenge, the party will need to urgently revitalize its grassroots structures. According to the December 2024 edition of the SDF newsletter, the latest Executive Committee meeting found that “most of the structures across the region’s ten departments are inactive.”

A reorganization of these structures appears to be in the works. This is not the first time the SDF has attempted such an overhaul. After disappointing results in the 2020 legislative and municipal elections in Mfoundi—Yaoundé’s most significant department—the party launched efforts to revive its activities there. However, four years later, little progress has been made, as the Executive Committee acknowledges that operations in Mfoundi remain nearly stagnant.

Joshua Osih, who hopes to run for the presidency as the head of a platform comprising political parties, trade unions, and associations, faces significant challenges. In the 2018 presidential election, Osih finished in fourth place with a lackluster result, marking a major setback for the SDF, which lost its position as the leading opposition party. At the time, the party attributed its poor performance to the security crisis in the North-West and South-West regions (Noso)—traditional SDF strongholds—where many militants were unable to vote.

Source: Business in Cameroon

9, December 2024

Réponse à votre article intitulé: Manyu Political Landscape ⁰

Je suis un fidèle lecteur de votre journal en ligne qui à ma connaissance est l’un des journaux les plus respectés chez les anglophones.

Votre article concernant les changements politiques au Cameroun en 2025 voire dans le département de la Manyu a attiré mon attention. Il est vraiment un appel vibrant aux hommes politiques de ce département à se mettre au travail.

Les problèmes auxquels font face les gens de ce département sont exactment les mêmes qui nous confrontent dans la partie francophone. Ne croyez pas que vous êtes les seuls à faire face aux problèmes économiques dans ce pays.

Je respecte l’avis de l’auteur de cet article mais j’aimerais ajouter que bien qu’elle soit importante dans le développement économique et politique de notre pays, la Diaspora camerounais ne semble pas maîtriser les problèmes auxquels sont confrontés les populations du Cameroun.

Il serait donc peu judicieux pour prendre un membre de la Diaspora qui s’est séparé du pays pendant des années pour qu’il devienne l’élu du peuple. Pour les membres de la Diaspora qui estiment qu’ils peuvent apporter des contributions significatives au développement du pays, j’aimerais les inviter à venir vivre au Cameroun pendant quelques années pour bien s’imprégner de la réalité du pays avant de chercher à représenter le peuple soit au sénat soit au parlement.

Le Cameroun dispose des particularités politiques et il sera important aux futurs élus du peuple de maîtriser d’abord les contours de la politique camerounais avant d’y lancer.

J’aurais aimer écrire cette réponse en anglais mais ma maîtrise de la langue anglaise laisse beaucoup à désirer.

Si la traduction de ce message ne vous pose pas de problème, vous pouvez le traduire en anglais pour permettre à vos lecteurs de bien comprendre ma réponse.

Merci de votre compréhension!

Jean-Pierre Mballa à Yaounde.

9, December 2024

2025 presidential election: Who will run? ⁰

As 2025 approaches, many Cameroonians are concerned about the future of their country. Cameroon is at a standstill both politically and economically. The country is in dire need of an overhaul and many analysts have opined that the 2025 presidential election might reshape the country’s future.

However, though the presidential election is less than ten months away, Cameroonians are not yet aware of the candidates in the race for the Unity Palace as some political parties have not yet revealed their candidates to the public and this is indeed a cause for concern.

Despite the suspense, some candidates are already working hard to make their presidential ambitions known and their programs are out there for people to appreciate.

First to inform Cameroonians about his presidential ambition is Barrister Akere Muna, a world known Cameroonian lawyer who has made his country proud. At the international level, Akere Muna is known for his unrelenting effort to stamp out corruption from many international organizations and from his native Cameroon. It is not in error that he is known as Mr. Glencore, a name given to him after his commendable efforts to ensure that Cameroonian officials which took money from Glencore, get punished according to the law.

Though his efforts in that regard have not produced anything meaningful, Barrister Muna is not throwing in the towel and his determination to become the president of Cameroon only increases by the day as he wants to stamp out corruption in high places in Cameroon.

Barrister Muna is not a new face in the race. He understands the challenges and many Cameroonians think that he is capable of changing many things in the country. Many Cameroonians are looking up to him and this explains why his endorsement by some opposition parties as their candidate caused some excitement.

Although he has not yet openly declared that he will be in the race, many Cameroonians hold that Prof. Maurice Kamto will be a key player and could even be the favorite.

He was in the 2018 presidential race where he claimed victory and ended up in custody for eight months. Despite that setback, Prof. Kamto still has his eyes on the big prize. A law professor who brought fame and Bakassi to Cameroon, Prof. Kamto is seen by many as the man who is capable of beating the incumbent who has been in power for over four decades.

His MRC party has won hearts and minds across the country and many hold that if given an opportunity, Prof. Kamto’s party might help address some of the economic and political challenges that have bogged down the country.

Though the ruling CPDM is trying very hard to characterize MRC as a regional party, Prof. Kamto has continued to develop and position his party as a national party which will unite the country after the Biya era which has made divide and rule its cardinal objective.

Prof. Kamto has always drawn the world’s attention to the disaster playing out in the country’s two English-speaking regions and has promised to meet with separatists leaders if he becomes the president of Cameroon. He believes in federalism and has always stated that he would not preside over the balkanisation of his beloved Cameroon.

Also expected to be in the race is the SDF chairman, Josua Osih, though he has not yet openly declared his candidacy. Mr. Osih is currently a parliamentarian. Serving as a parliamentarian has given Mr. Osih a lot of experience which will surely come in handy when and if he wins the presidential race.

The SDF is currently not the chief opposition party in Cameroon and its influence has diminished following the demise of its premier and iconic leader, John Fru Ndi, who gave the current president, Paul Biya, a run for his money in the 1992 presidential election. The SDF is capable of staging a massive comeback and many observers hold that Mr. Osih’s low-key and collaborative leadership approach might deliver a massive surprise in the 2025 polls.

The 2025 presidential polls cannot be discussed without mentioning the incumbent’s name. Mr. Biya who has been in power for 42 years has the benefit of incumbency. His total control of the country’s treasury gives him certain financial advantages which other parties may not have.

However, his long stay in power might be a huge disadvantage as many Cameroonians are of the opinion that he has overstayed his welcome. His age and failing health could also be some of the annoying inconveniences which might mar Mr. Biya’s campaign.

However, some analysts say he might not run as his age has diminished his mental and physical ability. The analysts hold that he might manage the transition to ensure that his successor comes from his party to ensure that his family and collaborators get the protection they need when he leaves power.

Mr. Biya has been a fixture on Cameroon’s political landscape having been thrust into power by the country’s first president, Amadou Ahidjo, who resigned in 1982. Ahidjo saw the young Biya as an asset to the country and thought that Mr. Biya was capable of steering the country to better shores.

Unfortunately, things have not turned out as planned. The country’s economy has been in shambles for more than three decades, with unemployment reaching alarming levels. Many young Cameroonians are frustrated and thousands have left the country to try their luck somewhere else. Cameroon has not been the eldorado Ahidjo thought it would become under Mr. Biya.

Nepotism and corruption have become the country’s hallmarks. The massive, dysfunctional and corrupt civil service is full of Biya loyalists and tribesmen and this is a tough challenge the next president will have to deal with.

Currently, the government is bleeding money and in a bid to raise more money, the government is instituting more annoying taxes. The 2024 finance bill has just been passed and it is not good news to struggling Cameroonians. The new taxes will trigger a further escalation of living cost and most Cameroonians who are already in the throes of a severe crisis will have to look for creative ways to survive if they must not be rolled into an early grave by high prices.

The 2025 polls are an opportunity for Cameroonians to reshape their political destiny. The lineup of candidates is impressive. Will they vote for continuity or will they design a new path by walking away from the ruling party which has made corruption a way of life?

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

8, December 2024

Syria’s Assad in Moscow, given asylum by Russia ⁰

Bashar al-Assad, the ousted president of Syria, has reportedly arrived in Moscow along with his family after his government fell to militants.

Citing a source in the Kremlin, several Russian media outlets reported on Sunday that the Russian government has granted Assad and his family asylum.

“President al-Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds,” the Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian presidency about his whereabouts.

Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he had not spoken with Assad since Saturday. Jalali said that he would stay in Syria and was ready to work with whomever the Syrian people choose as their leader.

Militants, headed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared a curfew in Damascus on Sunday until the following morning, after seizing the capital following a lightning offensive launched last week.

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the HTS commander, said Sunday that Syrian state institutions would be supervised by Jalali until a transition of power takes place.

The HTS said it would work with the prime minister and called on Syrian military forces in Damascus to stay away from public institutions.

President Assad reportedly departed Syria on an airplane earlier in the day, bringing an end to more than five decades of his family’s rule over Syria.

Source: Presstv

8, December 2024

Ghana: Historic election comeback for John Mahama ⁰

Former president John Mahama, Ghana’s main opposition leader, tried twice before to win back the country top post.

Now he has secured a huge comeback on his third attempt for the presidency after tapping into the country’s economic frustrations to win Saturday’s election.

His win marks a historic victory, making him the first president in the three decades of Ghana’s Fourth Republic — since the 1992 return to multi-party democracy — to reclaim the presidency after being voted out.

Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, beat out Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who represented the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and who conceded defeat on Sunday.

The economy became a major election issue after Ghana defaulted on its debt and entered into a $3 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Mahama, 66, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, promised to “reset” Ghana, renegotiate parts of the IMF deal and introduce a “24-hour” economy to create jobs, a major concern for many younger voters.

– Writer and music fan –

A writer and devotee of Afrobeat music, Mahama wrote in his memoir “My First Coup d’Etat — And Other True Stories from the Lost Decades of Africa” that he was changed by his boyhood experiences during a 1966 military coup.

He was born in northern Ghana as a child of privilege, his house being the only one in the village with a diesel generator.

His father, who served as junior minister, was briefly detained and interrogated by the 1966 coup leaders but was later released unharmed.

Mahama was also a Member of Parliament and chairman of the West Africa Caucus at the Pan-African Parliament in Pretoria.

On corruption, Mahama says he will create a new office tasked with scrutinising government procurement above a $5 million threshold.

He says unchecked procurement processes are a major source of corruption.

Mahama voiced support for the anti-LGBTQ bill passed by Ghana’s parliament in February but which is yet to be signed into law and has sparked international criticism.

But Mustapha Gbande, a spokesperson for Mahama’s campaign, had expressed confidence in the candidate’s chances.

“People are looking for change and they trust Mahama to steer the country in a better direction,” he said.

But Mahama’s tenure as president was marred by a severe energy crisis that led to persistent power cuts, known locally as “dumsor”, which dented his reputation.

Corruption allegations also plagued his administration, although no charges were formally filed against him.

Mahama’s campaign sought to counter criticism by emphasising his experience in international leadership, including his role in combating the Ebola crisis as chairman of regional West African bloc ECOWAS.

Source: AFP

8, December 2024

Manyu Political Landscape: Change is on the horizon ⁰

A senior Manyu political leader has informed the Cameroon Concord News Group that there will be significant political changes in Cameroon in 2025 and that Manyu Division will be a totally different political landscape, as the youths of the Division are calling for change.

The politician, who elected anonymity, said that the current political dispensation in Manyu is hurting the Division as many current political leaders have failed to bring much-needed economic development to the Division whose economy is in the throes of a severe crisis.

He added that the youths of Manyu were already grumbling and looking outwards for that person who would understand their problems and would seek to bring meaningful economic initiatives to the Division.

“We need factories. We need a good hospital. We want our children to go to school in the best possible conditions. We know that the Diaspora can help us, but their help could be coordinated for it to deliver better results and that is why we of Manyu Division are urging members of our Diaspora to participate in the politics of our Division. We need people who will not come to earn a salary. We need people with ideas,” the politician stressed.

“After next year’s presidential election, the people of Manyu should take a look at those who have been representing us at the national level,” the angry politician said, stressing that “we have to look at young people to take over from our current politicians, most of whom have never kept their election promises.”

“Besides the Member of Parliament from Eyumojock, Honorable Teku Tanyi, who is constantly in his constituency to bring hope and some development initiatives, most of our politicians are simply dormant and will only come home when there are elections or when their political interests are at stake,” the angry politician said.

“Elective positions in Manyu should be given to young, dynamic and well to do Manyu men and women who have the Division’s interest at heart. We need people who can bring development to Manyu. We need people who can bring jobs to our youths,” he added.

“We must start looking at young and successful men and women in the Diaspora who can mobilize resources abroad for Manyu development. A few names have already been dropped and we hear that one of two Manyu senatorial seats will go to one of Manyu illustrious sons who have been pushing for Manyu development for decades,” the politician said.

“Our current senator is old, sick and tired and has nothing to show for, given the time he has been at the Senate in Yaounde. The current senator should consider his age and should support any young person who might express an interest in running. Manyu needs change but we want that transition to be smooth and friendly so that there will be peace. However, if the plea of the grassroots is not taken seriously, there will be change and it will be painful,” he stressed

“Manyu needs change and it needs people with a broad and global world view. Manyu needs a political leader who can connect the Division with the Division’s growing Diaspora, especially in North America. Manyu needs a credible person, somebody with great development ideas. We are tired of empty promises. We do not care where the person comes from. We need someone who loves Manyu and his people and based on what I have been hearing, we have someone from North America who will bring us the progress we need,” he pointed out.

“Our Members of Parliament must do more for our people. The people of Manyu are disappointed and they want change and any elected politician who does not deliver will not represent us anymore,” he stressed.

By our Mamfe correspondent Nkongho Philip Agbor

6, December 2024

France has no prime minister, no government and Macron is hoping for a miracle ⁰

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. This is especially true for French President Emmanuel Macron this year as France grapples with a serious political crisis.

Europe’s second-largest economy has no prime minister, no government, and Macron is hoping for a political miracle. He must appoint a new premier to get a 2025 budget approved by parliament as soon as possible.

How did we get here?

Following a landslide victory by the far right in the European elections in June, the president dissolved the National Assembly, France’s lower house, and called snap parliamentary elections. While a leftist coalition swept up most seats, no party ended up winning an outright majority.

After two months of tense ambivalence, Macron finally appointed a new prime minister in early September. Michel Barnier, a former foreign minister and Brexit negotiator, would spearhead France’s new government – which turned out to be dominated by conservatives and centrists.

Fast-forward three months and everything has crumbled, yet again. After Barnier decided to push through his sweeping social security budget without a parliamentary vote, both the left-wing New Popular Front alliance and the far-right National Rally tabled votes of no confidence. Both were passed on Wednesday, toppling Barnier and his government.

It’s the first time a government has fallen to a no-confidence vote in France in more than 60 years. On Thursday morning, Barnier became the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history when he handed his resignation to Macron.

What happens next?

Calls for Macron to resign poured in from his opponents after Barnier was defeated. Insisting the president’s resignation could break the deadlock, Mathilde Panot, head of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, told reporters he was “now calling on Macron to go”. Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, said pressure was piling up on the president but that he alone had the last say on the matter.

But Macron has insisted, time and again, that he will not buckle under pressure. In an address to the nation Thursday night, Macron vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2027. He also announced that he would name a prime minister “in the coming days” but gave no hint about who that may be.

According to presidential sources, Macron is set to meet leaders of his own centrist forces, as well as the Socialist Party and the conservative Les Républicains on Friday to search for a compromise. Members of the far-right National Rally, hard-left France Unbowed, the Green Party and the French Communist Party have not said they will meet with the president so far.

Referring to the record five-year reconstruction of Notre-Dame, which will open its doors once again on Saturday, Macron said “we are able to do great things … we can do the impossible”. But the task is critical. Naming a replacement means finding someone capable of leading a minority government in a parliament with no majority.

Meanwhile, Barnier will stay on in a caretaker capacity, overseeing everyday business until the president appoints a new government.

What can Macron do now?

Macron cannot dissolve parliament like he did in June to hold new legislative elections until at least June 2025, meaning policymakers will have to battle potential stalemates, depending on who is chosen for premiership.

Concerns about the French economy are building in the face of the political chaos. France’s debt could rise to 7 percent of GDP next year if significant budget reforms are not put in place.

While it would be possible to extend the 2024 budget to 2025, avoiding a US-style government shutdown, it would mean no new measures could be introduced. With this option, it is unclear how or even when a new budget could be passed. The budget extension would also have to be voted by MPs, who could oppose the decision.

Macron has promised to pass a “special” finance law that will guarantee the continuity of the state within the next ten days. Since it is the first time in 45 years that France will end the year without a budget, the law is essential to ensure that public services continue to function. He also promised that at the start of the new year, the new government will prepare a new budget.

Whatever happens, the French president must act quickly to stave off any further pandemonium.

Reappoint Barnier or opt for a similar profile

Macron would have every right, constitutionally-speaking, to reappoint Barnier as prime minister. He could argue that given these dire times, choosing someone supported by a common base of centre to right-wing parties, would be better suited to pass a budget bill.

While it seems unlikely that Macron will take this route, he may opt for a similar type of profile as Barnier. French daily Le Parisien floated the name of François Baroin, a member of the conservative Les Républicains party who has spent most of his career working in politics. Baroin ticks the same boxes as Barnier and is considered, by his supporters, to be capable of speaking with everyone while not straying far from Macron’s political agenda. Staunch conservative Bruno Retailleau, who served as interior minister under Barnier with a hard-line stance on immigration and who promised to “restore order”, has also been mooted.

But both men have the same disadvantage as the outgoing prime minister and would risk facing no-confidence votes. Neither would be democratically chosen and neither belong to the New Popular Front, the left-wing alliance that hold the largest share of seats in parliament.

Choose a close ally

The French president could be tempted to take back control by appointing one of his close friends, such as Sébastien Lecornu, who served as defence minister in Barnier’s now toppled government. Defecting from the Les Républicains party to throw all his weight behind Macron’s 2017 presidency, he has proven his track record as a loyal ally.

Some say this move would appease Le Pen. Rumours of Lecornu dining with the far-right leader in March were leaked by French newspaper Libération, allegations later denied by Lecornu. Le Pen also said she intended to let the new prime minister do the job by promising to work with whoever is chosen in an interview on French TV channel TF1 on Wednesday.

Find a sweet spot

With every government reshuffle, the same name pops up – that of François Bayrou. A centrist veteran whose MoDem Party has been part of Macron’s alliance since 2017, Bayrou has made his rural roots a key part of his political identity. He has unsuccessfully run for president three times in the past.

For his supporters, Bayrou is well-placed to convince at least part of the Socialist Party not to file a no-confidence motion against him and does not rub the far-right National Rally the wrong way either.

Choose a leftist

When Macron appointed Barnier in early September, he made it clear he did not want a left-leaning prime minister. Lucie Castets, the candidate for the New Popular Front, and Bernard Cazeneuve, who served as PM under Socialist president François Hollande, were both left by the wayside.

Choosing someone like Cazeneuve could be a way to encourage Socialist lawmakers to stray from the leftist alliance and expand a centrist ruling group, but those rallying behind Macron have a fraught relationship with the left. What’s more, Macron does not want to hear about tax rises for the rich or repealing the controversial pension reform.

And appointing someone from the New Popular Front, such as Castets, is pretty much out of the question for the president. It would mean effectively acknowledging his defeat in the European and French parliamentary elections, which could lead to his party unravelling.

France is holding its breath to see who will lead its next government. But with every contender, the risk remains that MPs will choose to table a no-confidence motion and topple one pick after another.

Source: France 24

6, December 2024

Biya will campaign for 2025 elections in a wheel chair and rule from the grave ⁰

President Paul Biya has become a laughing stock deep inside the Unity Palace, Cameroon Intelligence Report has gathered from a well-placed source in Etoudi.

The CIR source said that Biya is now leading the nation from a wheelchair.

“He has a special wheelchair that he bought in Geneva that takes him around the presidential palace and he intends to rule till 100 years” our source said.

Biya was seen on the mobile chair moving around the presidency after he received some new ambassadors accredited to Cameroon.

The mobile chair, otherwise ordinarily referred to as a wheelchair is assisting the dictator to navigate his way around his office as well as at home in Mvomeka’a.

The Biya wheelchair has now confirmed that old age has taken its toll on the Francophone leader who will turn 92 this coming year.

A top CPDM baron who spoke to this reporter but sued for anonymity said Biya would rule from a wheel chair and then from the grave.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

24, November 2024

Brexit: UK wants to hire EU negotiator to ‘reset’ relations ⁰

The UK government is hiring a new negotiator to help deliver a “reset” of relations with Europe.

The job posting says the role will lead the government’s relationship with the European Union and negotiations with the EU “on key UK interests”, with mentions of trade, security and border policy.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to a “reset” of relations between the UK and EU, and previously said he would seek a better deal on trade than the one negotiated by Boris Johnson in late 2020.

However, the prime minister has said that resetting does not mean reversing Brexit.

The new negotiator role is advertised as “a high-profile senior position that will receive significant public scrutiny and political attention” in the job posting published online by the Cabinet Office.

The Second Permanent Secretary for European Union and International Economic Affairs would act as a “sherpa” – “a senior and personal representative of the prime minister at international summits and engagements”.

The person would be required to oversee and lead policy development on trade, including the Windsor Framework, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Entry and Exit Scheme – a new upcoming digital EU border scheme – and other border policy questions.

The salary range is £153,000 to £200,000.

A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office said: “As we reset our relationship with the EU, building closer trade and security links and encouraging more investment from around the world, this new role will oversee that work.”

“Reporting to the minister for European Union relations, they will lead official-level discussions with the EU as we drive economic growth.”

Starmer has said he wants to strengthen relations with the EU.

In October, he made his first visit to Brussels since becoming prime minister, where he was welcomed warmly by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Starmer called for closer co-operation on defence and security, climate change, irregular migration, and on delivering economic growth to help make Brexit work in the UK’s interest, he said.

US President-elect Donald Trump’s senior economic advisor Stephen Moore told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last week that the UK “has to choose between the Europe economic model of more socialism and the US model which is more based on a free enterprise system.”

He said the UK is “caught in the middle”, but believed “Britain would be better off moving towards more of the American model of economic freedom and if that were the case, I think it would spur the Trump administration’s willingness to do the free trade agreement with the UK”.

Source: BBC