In an unprecedented move, South Korean investigators have sought an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol after he repeatedly failed to appear for questioning regarding his brief declaration of martial law earlier this month.

The move plunges the country deeper into its most severe political crisis in decades.

Yoon, who briefly suspended civilian rule on December 3, faces allegations of insurrection and abuse of power.

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If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Parliament has already impeached him, but the Constitutional Court has yet to decide on whether to uphold the impeachment.

The Joint Investigation Headquarters announced on Monday that they had sought the warrant after Yoon ignored three summonses, the latest of which had a Sunday deadline.

“The Joint Investigation Headquarters filed an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol with the Seoul Western District Court,” the team said in a statement.

This marks the first time in South Korean history that authorities have attempted to detain a sitting president before impeachment procedures are finalized.

Yoon’s legal team has denounced the move as “unjustified,” arguing that an incumbent president is shielded from prosecution for abuse of power under the law.

The political storm erupted earlier this month when Yoon declared martial law in a surprise televised address, citing the need to eliminate “anti-state elements.”

Parliament swiftly voted to annul the declaration, but heavily armed military forces attempted to storm the National Assembly.

Prosecutors allege Yoon authorized the use of deadly force to ensure the military gained control of the legislature.

According to an indictment, he directed the capital defense command chief, Lee Jin-woo, to “break down the door and drag them out, even if it means shooting.”

Evidence suggests Yoon had been considering martial law since March, engaging in discussions with senior military officials.

The upheaval worsened last week when acting president Han Duck-soo was impeached for failing to authorize investigations into Yoon.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, now the interim leader, is grappling with a national crisis following a Jeju Air plane crash that claimed 179 lives.

South Korea remains on edge as the court deliberates on Yoon’s impeachment, with analysts warning that the crisis could undermine democratic stability in one of Asia’s most advanced nations.

German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday officially dissolved the Bundestag and announced February 23, 2025, as the date for an early general election.

The move comes after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government collapsed last month amid internal disputes over economic policies.

The political crisis became compounded by last week’s deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Berlin, which has reignited national debates over security and immigration, setting the stage for a contentious campaign period.

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In a televised address, Steinmeier stressed the need for political stability, calling on parties and candidates to uphold democratic principles during the election campaign.

“Hatred and violence must have no place in this election campaign, nor denigration or intimidation… all this is poison for democracy,” he said.

The president also warned about the dangers of foreign interference, particularly on social media.

“The campaign must be conducted with fair and transparent means,” Steinmeier said, adding that “foreign influence… which is particularly intense on X,” the platform owned by billionaire Elon Musk, poses a significant threat.

Steinmeier emphasized the gravity of the challenges awaiting Germany’s next government, citing the “economically unstable situation,” ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and divisive issues like immigration and climate change.

Scholz will remain in office as a caretaker chancellor until a new coalition is formed, a process that could take months depending on the outcome of the election.

The election campaign is expected to be highly charged, with security and economic recovery emerging as key battlegrounds.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has approved a new policy allowing visa-free entry to Ghana for all African nationals, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this year.

The initiative is expected to be implemented before the end of his term on January 6, 2025.

With this move, Ghana will join Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as one of the few African nations offering unrestricted visa-free access to all African passport holders.

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The policy is seen as a significant step toward promoting free movement across the continent, enhancing trade, and deepening economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Akufo-Addo announced the policy during his keynote address at the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) held in Accra.

Speaking under the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, and Trade,” he highlighted the challenges Africans face when traveling within the continent.

“Many of you had to acquire a visa to attend this event,” he said, emphasizing the barriers to intra-African mobility.

He described the visa-free policy as a solution to these challenges and a critical step toward achieving the goals of the AfCFTA.

“The free movement of people is essential for stimulating intra-African trade and fostering collaboration across borders,” Akufo-Addo added, noting that the policy aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of promoting economic growth through integration.

The visa-free initiative is expected to enhance Ghana’s standing in the region, making it easier for African nationals to travel, trade, and collaborate.

By eliminating visa requirements, Ghana aims to position itself as a leader in continental integration, creating opportunities for deeper economic ties with other African nations.

The policy also underscores Ghana’s commitment to the AfCFTA, which seeks to establish a unified market for goods and services across Africa.

Officials believe this move will attract businesses and encourage cross-border trade, ultimately boosting the continent’s economy.

The Ghanaian government has begun taking steps to implement the policy, with full rollout expected before the end of Akufo-Addo’s presidency.

Officials are updating immigration procedures to accommodate the new framework and ensure a smooth transition.

President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the initiative during his address.

“We are taking concrete steps to ensure that this policy becomes a reality this year,” he stated, signaling that the groundwork for implementation is already underway.