Peru’s Congress has voted to oust President Dina Boluarte amid a surge in violent crime and public unrest. The move follows widespread protests accusing her administration of failing to restore security and economic stability.


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Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, leader of Somaliland’s opposition, has been elected president of the breakaway region of Somalia. 'Irro’ took over 60 percent of the vote having pledged to push efforts to gain international recognition for the region.

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Sri Lanka gets its new President as Ranil Wickremesinghe, six-time Prime Minister and a veteran politician takes oath today in the Lankan parliament, he has been appointed as the eighth executive President of the islands nation.

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The UAE’s de-facto leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was elected president, a day after the death of his half-brother. However, the 61-year-old has already been calling the shots in the Gulf state for years. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you the story of his rise to power.

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The lawmakers of Somalia have handed over the presidency to former leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for a second time. Mohamud has returned to the nation's top office defeating the incumbent leader Mohamed Abdullahi

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Chilean leftist Gabriel Boric was sworn in as president on Friday, vowing to listen to all sides while warning of the challenges ahead, as the Andean country marked the sharpest shift in its politics since the return to democracy three decades ago after the bloody dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.

At the Congress building in the port city of Valparaiso, Boric, a 36-year-old, tattooed former protest leader and lawmaker, took the presidential sash from outgoing billionaire President Sebastian Pinera, making him the country's youngest-ever elected leader.

"The road ahead will be long and hard," Boric said during his first speech as president from a balcony at La Moneda government palace, overlooking a mostly masked and flag-waving crowd.

Also see&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chile-to-embark-on-new-path-of-greater-social-equality-after-two-years-of-turmoil-460612">Chile to embark on new path of greater social equality after two years of turmoil</a>

In a wide-ranging address that touched on economic inclusion, immigration and climate change, Boric energetically pledged to lead a government that represents all citizens, stressing he will reach beyond his leftist base.

"I will always listen to the proposals of those who think differently from us," he said. "I'll be a president for all Chileans."

Boric's rise has sparked hope among progressives in Chile, long a conservative bastion of free markets and fiscal prudence in volatile South America, but has also stoked fear that decades of economic stability could come undone.

The leader of a broad leftist coalition including Chile's communist party, Boric has vowed to overhaul a market-led economic model to fight inequality that sparked violent protests in 2019, though he has moderated his fiery rhetoric in recent months.

The copper-producing country is also in the midst of redrafting its Pinochet-era Constitution, which has underpinned growth but been blamed for stoking inequality.

"We need a constitution that unites us," thundered Boric. "A constitution that's different from the one imposed by blood, fire and fraud of the dictatorship."

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Pinochet, whose shadow still looms large over the country, ousted socialist President Salvador Allende, who committed suicide in 1973 during a military coup. Boric has often praised Allende's legacy and did so again in his inaugural address.

"He reminds me of Allende, but I hope it has a happier ending," said Marigen Vargas, 62, who traveled all night to be at Boric's inauguration. "We want a more united, happier Chile."

'Tasks lie ahead'

Boric faces a raft of challenges from an economic slowdown, high inflation and a split legislature that will test his deal-making abilities to push through reforms in healthcare and pensions, while toughening environmental regulation.

Carlos Ruiz, an academic at the University of Chile who taught Boric, said Boric would have to deal with a rising ultra-conservative bloc that did well in elections last year and find consensus to push through his reforms.

"These are now the tasks lying ahead of Boric," he said.

Boric's female-majority Cabinet was also sworn in on Friday, as delegations from the United States, Spain, Argentina, Peru and others looked on.

Among a sea of suits and military garb, a part of the Senate was filled with representatives of Chile's various indigenous communities in traditional attire.

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"It's a sign that it's going to be an inclusive government," Cecilia Flores, an indigenous Aymara told Reuters in the chamber, adding it was the first time representatives from each indigenous group have been present at the inauguration.

"It's going to be a government that will make the social changes the people of Chile have been fighting for, especially indigenous groups."

High hopes may quickly butt up against a divided electorate and legislature, split down the middle between the right and left. Lawmakers will face sharply competing visions on fighting crime and dealing with waves of migrants, as well as indigenous rights.

"I wish him success in his future government," the outgoing president, Pinera, said in his final address, while citing concerns about identity politics, weakening of the judiciary, and crime. "But also the wisdom to distinguish right from wrong."

Chilean leftist Gabriel Boric was sworn in as president on Friday, vowing to listen to all sides while warning of the challenges ahead, as the Andean country marked the sharpest shift in its politics since the return to democracy three decades ago after the bloody dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.

Chilean leftist Gabriel Boric was sworn in as president on Friday, vowing to listen to all sides while warning of the challenges ahead, as the Andean country marked the sharpest shift in its politics since the return to democracy three decades ago after the bloody dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. At the Congress building in the port city of Valparaiso, Boric, a 36-year-old, tattooed former protest leader and lawmaker, took the presidential sash from outgoing billionaire President Sebastian Pinera, making him the country's youngest-ever elected leader. "The road ahead will be long and hard," Boric said during his first speech as president from a balcony at La Moneda government palace, overlooking a mostly masked and flag-waving crowd. Also see | Chile to embark on new path of greater social equality after two years of turmoil In a wide-ranging address that touched on economic inclusion, immigration and climate change, Boric energetically pledged to lead a government that represents all citizens, stressing he will reach beyond his leftist base. "I will always listen to the proposals of those who think differently from us," he said. "I'll be a president for all Chileans." Boric's rise has sparked hope among progressives in Chile, long a conservative bastion of free markets and fiscal prudence in volatile South America, but has also stoked fear that decades of economic stability could come undone. The leader of a broad leftist coalition including Chile's communist party, Boric has vowed to overhaul a market-led economic model to fight inequality that sparked violent protests in 2019, though he has moderated his fiery rhetoric in recent months. The copper-producing country is also in the midst of redrafting its Pinochet-era Constitution, which has underpinned growth but been blamed for stoking inequality. "We need a constitution that unites us," thundered Boric. "A constitution that's different from the one imposed by blood, fire and fraud of the dictatorship." Also read | White House briefs TikTokers on Ukraine as information war against Russia heats up Pinochet, whose shadow still looms large over the country, ousted socialist President Salvador Allende, who committed suicide in 1973 during a military coup. Boric has often praised Allende's legacy and did so again in his inaugural address. "He reminds me of Allende, but I hope it has a happier ending," said Marigen Vargas, 62, who traveled all night to be at Boric's inauguration. "We want a more united, happier Chile." 'Tasks lie ahead' Boric faces a raft of challenges from an economic slowdown, high inflation and a split legislature that will test his deal-making abilities to push through reforms in healthcare and pensions, while toughening environmental regulation. Carlos Ruiz, an academic at the University of Chile who taught Boric, said Boric would have to deal with a rising ultra-conservative bloc that did well in elections last year and find consensus to push through his reforms. "These are now the tasks lying ahead of Boric," he said. Boric's female-majority Cabinet was also sworn in on Friday, as delegations from the United States, Spain, Argentina, Peru and others looked on. Among a sea of suits and military garb, a part of the Senate was filled with representatives of Chile's various indigenous communities in traditional attire. Also read | Australian police officer acquitted in death of indigenous teenager "It's a sign that it's going to be an inclusive government," Cecilia Flores, an indigenous Aymara told Reuters in the chamber, adding it was the first time representatives from each indigenous group have been present at the inauguration. "It's going to be a government that will make the social changes the people of Chile have been fighting for, especially indigenous groups." High hopes may quickly butt up against a divided electorate and legislature, split down the middle between the right and left. Lawmakers will face sharply competing visions on fighting crime and dealing with waves of migrants, as well as indigenous rights. "I wish him success in his future government," the outgoing president, Pinera, said in his final address, while citing concerns about identity politics, weakening of the judiciary, and crime. "But also the wisdom to distinguish right from wrong."

'I'll be a president for all Chileans', says Gabriel Boric

Ebrahim Raisi was inaugurated as President of Iran on Tuesday. After swearing in as the President Raisi's foremost concern will be on Iran's economy. Iran is dealing with crippling water shortages and severe COVID crisis which will become challenges that the new President will have to deal with. Mr. Raisi will also have to tackle negotiations aimed at reviving the nuclear deal from which the U.S. withdrew after imposing sanctions.

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Mohamed Bazoum sworn-in after the attempted coup, marking the first democratic peaceful transfer of power in the country. Dozens of foreign dignitaries attended the ceremony.

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US President-elect Joe Biden has said the United States would be "ready to lead" again on the global stage, turning the page on Republican President Donald Trump's "America First" policies as he pledged to work together with the nation's allies.

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Peru's new president fell short of reaffirming that the Andean country will ban Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from attending a regional summit Peru is hosting next month, saying on Tuesday that he would leave the matter to top diplomats.

Martin Vizcarra, who had been Peru's vice president, abruptly became president last week after Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned amid growing graft allegations.

A former Wall Street banker who once held US citizenship, Kuczynski had been one of Maduro's most outspoken critics, deeming him a "dictator" and barring him from the Summit of the Americas that Peru will host on April 13-14.

Maduro vowed to attend the summit anyway, and his loyalists exulted over Kuczynski's downfall with a fireworks display last week.

But Vizcarra declined to weigh in on the dispute as he focuses on building support across Peru by promising to refocus the government's attention on domestic problems that had been neglected while Kuczynski struggled to remain in power.

After returning from a coastal region still reeling from severe floods last year, Vizcarra was asked at a news conference what he thought about Maduro's being banned from the summit.

"Our foreign policy is so delicate we must leave it in the hands of specialists," Vizcarra told journalists at the presidential palace. "The foreign affairs ministry is taking the corresponding decisions that we`ll support."

The comment appeared to signal a more hands-off approach to foreign policy.

A spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry said its position of barring Maduro was unchanged, but noted that Vizcarra had not yet sat down to talk with top diplomatic officials.

Vizcarra promised a "completely new" Cabinet upon taking office on Friday but has yet to name his foreign minister or other appointments. He said he would unveil his Cabinet next Monday.

Vizcarra said there would no changes to the agenda of the Summit of the Americas, which will celebrate "democratic governance against corruption" in a host country where three out of the four past presidents are subjects in graft probes.

US President Donald Trump and other leaders in the Americas plan to attend the summit.

Vizcarra noted that various heads of state, starting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had called him after he took office to reconfirm their attendance.

"We think the event in Peru is going to be a success," Vizcarra said.

The former governor of a small mining region, Vizcarra served as Peru's ambassador to Canada, as well as vice president before he was called home to replace Kuczynski.

Peru is hosting a regional summit next month

Peru's new president fell short of reaffirming that the Andean country will ban Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from attending a regional summit Peru is hosting next month, saying on Tuesday that he would leave the matter to top diplomats. Martin Vizcarra, who had been Peru's vice president, abruptly became president last week after Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned amid growing graft allegations. A former Wall Street banker who once held US citizenship, Kuczynski had been one of Maduro's most outspoken critics, deeming him a "dictator" and barring him from the Summit of the Americas that Peru will host on April 13-14. Maduro vowed to attend the summit anyway, and his loyalists exulted over Kuczynski's downfall with a fireworks display last week. But Vizcarra declined to weigh in on the dispute as he focuses on building support across Peru by promising to refocus the government's attention on domestic problems that had been neglected while Kuczynski struggled to remain in power. After returning from a coastal region still reeling from severe floods last year, Vizcarra was asked at a news conference what he thought about Maduro's being banned from the summit. "Our foreign policy is so delicate we must leave it in the hands of specialists," Vizcarra told journalists at the presidential palace. "The foreign affairs ministry is taking the corresponding decisions that we`ll support." The comment appeared to signal a more hands-off approach to foreign policy. A spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry said its position of barring Maduro was unchanged, but noted that Vizcarra had not yet sat down to talk with top diplomatic officials. Vizcarra promised a "completely new" Cabinet upon taking office on Friday but has yet to name his foreign minister or other appointments. He said he would unveil his Cabinet next Monday. Vizcarra said there would no changes to the agenda of the Summit of the Americas, which will celebrate "democratic governance against corruption" in a host country where three out of the four past presidents are subjects in graft probes. US President Donald Trump and other leaders in the Americas plan to attend the summit. Vizcarra noted that various heads of state, starting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had called him after he took office to reconfirm their attendance. "We think the event in Peru is going to be a success," Vizcarra said. The former governor of a small mining region, Vizcarra served as Peru's ambassador to Canada, as well as vice president before he was called home to replace Kuczynski.

Peru's new president leaves summit ban on Maduro up to diplomats

South African lawmakers on Thursday selected Cyril Ramaphosa as the country&#39;s new president after scandal-tainted Jacob Zuma resigned under pressure from his own ANC ruling party.

Ramaphosa was chosen without a vote after being the only candidate nominated, chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng told assembled lawmakers at a special sitting of the parliament in Cape Town.

The announcement brought loud cheers from ANC lawmakers, with Ramaphosa due to address the parliament later during proceedings.

Zuma resigned on Wednesday as the ANC finally turned against him after a nine-year reign dominated by corruption scandals, economic slowdown and plummeting electoral popularity.

Zuma railed against the ANC for &quot;recalling&quot; him from office and -- when he at first refused to resign -- then threatening to oust him via a parliament no-confidence vote.

In an earlier TV interview on Wednesday, Zuma said he had received &quot;very unfair&quot; treatment from the party that he joined in 1959 and in which he had fought for decades against apartheid white-minority rule.

Zuma had been in a power struggle with Ramaphosa, his deputy president.

Zuma&#39;s hold over the ANC was broken in December when his chosen successor -- his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -- narrowly lost to Ramaphosa in a vote to become the new party leader.

South African lawmakers on Thursday selected Cyril Ramaphosa as the country's new president after scandal-tainted Jacob Zuma resigned under pressure from his own ANC ruling party. Ramaphosa was chosen without a vote after being the only candidate nominated, chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng told assembled lawmakers at a special sitting of the parliament in Cape Town. The announcement brought loud cheers from ANC lawmakers, with Ramaphosa due to address the parliament later during proceedings. Zuma resigned on Wednesday as the ANC finally turned against him after a nine-year reign dominated by corruption scandals, economic slowdown and plummeting electoral popularity. Zuma railed against the ANC for "recalling" him from office and -- when he at first refused to resign -- then threatening to oust him via a parliament no-confidence vote. In an earlier TV interview on Wednesday, Zuma said he had received "very unfair" treatment from the party that he joined in 1959 and in which he had fought for decades against apartheid white-minority rule. Zuma had been in a power struggle with Ramaphosa, his deputy president. Zuma's hold over the ANC was broken in December when his chosen successor -- his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -- narrowly lost to Ramaphosa in a vote to become the new party leader.

South African lawmakers elect Cyril Ramaphosa as President

Former Wall Street banker Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was inaugurated as Peru&#39;s new president yesterday, vowing to kick-start the economy and unite a country torn by a photo-finish election. 
 
The 77-year-old centre-right economist extended an olive branch to defeated rival Keiko Fujimori&#39;s party, which controls Congress, saying he would need their help to pass reforms. 
 
He promised to work for all Peruvians, outlining his vision for a &quot;social revolution&quot; in his inaugural address before Congress. 
 
&quot;I will seek equity, equality and fraternity among all Peruvians,&quot; said the man known simply as PPK. 
 
Peru needs &quot;not just economic, but human growth,&quot; he said, vowing to extend basic services such as schools, hospitals and drinking water to the one-third of Peruvians who lack them. 
 
The normally staid Kuczynski, who is known as a technocrat with a stellar resume, choked up as he took the oath of office, then donned his new red and white presidential sash over his pinstriped suit. 
 
Peru is one of Latin America&#39;s fastest growing economies, but growth slowed under outgoing leftist president Ollanta Humala, from 6.5 per cent in 2011 to 3.3 percent last year. 
 
Kuczynski vowed to stimulate the economy, revive the key mining sector, fight the poverty that affects 22 per cent of Peruvians, crack down on corruption, and strengthen the police and prisons to reduce crime. 
 
The Fujimori problem 
 
Foreign investors and markets have welcomed the new president as a reliable pair of hands. 
 
&quot;Kuczynski&#39;s government is likely to remain highly supportive of foreign investment, with minimalist state intervention,&quot; said Diego Moya-Ocampos of consultancy IHS Country Risk. 
 
He predicted Kuczynski would seek to expand Peru&#39;s domestic refining and smelting capacity, and pointed out that his first scheduled trip is to China - which he called a key player in the president&#39;s strategy to make Peru a &quot;metallurgical powerhouse.&quot; 
 
But a large bump is lurking in the road.&nbsp;Kuczynski&#39;s party, the centre-right Peruvians for Change, has just 18 seats in the 130-member Congress. 
 
The new legislature is dominated by allies of Fujimori, the daughter of disgraced and jailed ex-president Alberto Fujimori.&nbsp;Her right-wing party, Popular Force, has 73 lawmakers in Congress. 
 
None of them applauded at any point during the inauguration, Kuczynski&#39;s camp complained.&nbsp;It could prove tough for the new president to advance his reform agenda. 
 
There may be lingering bad blood from the election. Fujimori took five days to concede as results trickled in from the remote reaches of the Peruvian Amazon. 
 
In the end she had little choice but to recognise defeat, by less than a quarter of a percentage point. 
 
The race opened old wounds dating back to the 1990s, when Fujimori&#39;s father was president. 
 
Now serving a 25-year prison sentence for massacres by an army death squad, Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) is fondly remembered by some Peruvians for his populist streak, his ruthless crackdown on the leftist rebel group Shining Path and his management of a strong economy. 
 
But his authoritarian legacy was also heavy baggage for his daughter. 
 
Her 78-year-old father&#39;s supporters are now pressuring Kuczynski to pardon him. 
 
The president-elect has said he is willing to sign a law granting house arrest to elderly and ailing prisoners such as Fujimori, but will not issue a pardon. 
 
&#39;El Gringo&#39; 
 
Kuczynski, the son of a Jewish doctor who fled Nazi Germany, has had a long career in business and finance. 
 
Educated at Oxford University and Princeton, he has an impressive resume including stints as economy minister and a World Bank economist. 
 
He stressed his age and experience during the campaign. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m old, but my noggin is still working,&quot; he said.&nbsp;But he sometimes struggles to connect with ordinary Peruvians. 
 
He speaks Spanish with an American accent, betraying his long years in the United States. Some Peruvians call him &quot;El Gringo.&quot; 
 
Seeking to lighten the burden of his outsider status, he donned a traditional multicolored woolly hat at campaign rallies, played the flute and trotted out his mascot, a man-sized guinea pig - a symbol of Peru. 
 
(AFP)

The Pedro Kuczynski choked as he took the oath of office. He vowed to kick-start the economy and bring about a social revolution

Former Wall Street banker Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was inaugurated as Peru's new president yesterday, vowing to kick-start the economy and unite a country torn by a photo-finish election. The 77-year-old centre-right economist extended an olive branch to defeated rival Keiko Fujimori's party, which controls Congress, saying he would need their help to pass reforms. He promised to work for all Peruvians, outlining his vision for a "social revolution" in his inaugural address before Congress. "I will seek equity, equality and fraternity among all Peruvians," said the man known simply as PPK. Peru needs "not just economic, but human growth," he said, vowing to extend basic services such as schools, hospitals and drinking water to the one-third of Peruvians who lack them. The normally staid Kuczynski, who is known as a technocrat with a stellar resume, choked up as he took the oath of office, then donned his new red and white presidential sash over his pinstriped suit. Peru is one of Latin America's fastest growing economies, but growth slowed under outgoing leftist president Ollanta Humala, from 6.5 per cent in 2011 to 3.3 percent last year. Kuczynski vowed to stimulate the economy, revive the key mining sector, fight the poverty that affects 22 per cent of Peruvians, crack down on corruption, and strengthen the police and prisons to reduce crime. The Fujimori problem Foreign investors and markets have welcomed the new president as a reliable pair of hands. "Kuczynski's government is likely to remain highly supportive of foreign investment, with minimalist state intervention," said Diego Moya-Ocampos of consultancy IHS Country Risk. He predicted Kuczynski would seek to expand Peru's domestic refining and smelting capacity, and pointed out that his first scheduled trip is to China - which he called a key player in the president's strategy to make Peru a "metallurgical powerhouse." But a large bump is lurking in the road. Kuczynski's party, the centre-right Peruvians for Change, has just 18 seats in the 130-member Congress. The new legislature is dominated by allies of Fujimori, the daughter of disgraced and jailed ex-president Alberto Fujimori. Her right-wing party, Popular Force, has 73 lawmakers in Congress. None of them applauded at any point during the inauguration, Kuczynski's camp complained. It could prove tough for the new president to advance his reform agenda. There may be lingering bad blood from the election. Fujimori took five days to concede as results trickled in from the remote reaches of the Peruvian Amazon. In the end she had little choice but to recognise defeat, by less than a quarter of a percentage point. The race opened old wounds dating back to the 1990s, when Fujimori's father was president. Now serving a 25-year prison sentence for massacres by an army death squad, Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) is fondly remembered by some Peruvians for his populist streak, his ruthless crackdown on the leftist rebel group Shining Path and his management of a strong economy. But his authoritarian legacy was also heavy baggage for his daughter. Her 78-year-old father's supporters are now pressuring Kuczynski to pardon him. The president-elect has said he is willing to sign a law granting house arrest to elderly and ailing prisoners such as Fujimori, but will not issue a pardon. 'El Gringo' Kuczynski, the son of a Jewish doctor who fled Nazi Germany, has had a long career in business and finance. Educated at Oxford University and Princeton, he has an impressive resume including stints as economy minister and a World Bank economist. He stressed his age and experience during the campaign. "I'm old, but my noggin is still working," he said. But he sometimes struggles to connect with ordinary Peruvians. He speaks Spanish with an American accent, betraying his long years in the United States. Some Peruvians call him "El Gringo." Seeking to lighten the burden of his outsider status, he donned a traditional multicolored woolly hat at campaign rallies, played the flute and trotted out his mascot, a man-sized guinea pig - a symbol of Peru. (AFP)

Former Wall Street banker Kuczynski sworn in as Peruvian president

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