Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 74

74th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 74th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Oct 30, 2024 and Dec 07, 2024. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Argentina’s Political Shift: President Milei Makes Changes to the Foreign Ministry

One noteworthy event has occurred in Argentina, President, Javier Milei, has sacked his foreign minister, Diana Mondino, after the country voted in favour of lifting the US economic embargo on Cuba at the United Nations. Argentina was one of 187 countries that supported the non-binding UN resolution. Only the US and Israel voted to oppose the resolution. It was the first time since Milei’s arrival in office that Argentina has not aligned itself with the US and Israeli governments.

Mondino has been replaced by the ambassador to Washington, Gerardo Werthein. Following the move, President Milei’s office said Argentina was “categorically opposed to the Cuban dictatorship”. Under the previous left-wing Peronist government, Argentina enjoyed close relations with Cuba, backing the end of the economic embargo, which the US imposed in the 1960s when Cuba adopted communism.

Jamaica’s Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke Resigns to Join the IMF

Shifting our focus to Jamaica, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke has announced his resignation. Dr. Clarke who is also Member of Parliament for North West St. Andrew made the announcement at a Jamaica Labour Party conference in the constituency. It was announced in August that Dr. Clarke would take the post as Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) effective October 31.       

Maldives Appoints New High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

In Maldives, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed a High Commissioner to India and an Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The President appointed Aishath Azeema as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to the Republic of India, and Ahmed Sareer as the Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

FATF Updates Grey List: Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, and Lebanon Added

In the realm of regulatory affairs, the FATF has updated the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. The changes to the list include the addition of Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, and Lebanon to the grey list and the removal of Senegal.

Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF Councillor Sentenced to 20 Years for Stock Theft

Shifting our attention to Zimbabwe, ZANU-PF councilor for Ward 17 in Insiza North, Sindiso Ndlovu (40), has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted on two counts of stock theft. Ndlovu and his co-accused, Buhle Nkomazana (28), an employee at Break and Turn Butchery in Nkankezi Business Centre, and Onias Dube, who works at Esigodini Abattoirs, initially faced three counts of stock theft.

According to the State, Ndlovu allegedly sold stolen cattle to Esigodini Abattoirs, where the complainants later identified the hides of their slaughtered animals. The State also argued that Ndlovu was selling cattle he falsely claimed as his own without recording the sales on his stock card, making it difficult to trace his livestock transactions.

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