Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 89

89th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 89th 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 Feb 02, 2025 and Mar 11, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis Resigns Amid Far-Right Push for Impeachment and Election Controversy

One noteworthy event has occurred in Romania, Romania’s outgoing centrist President Klaus Iohannis has resigned amid a concerted push by far-right parliamentary parties to have him impeached in the wake of a contentious election. Iohannis announced his decision, following mounting pressure from populist opposition groups.

“To spare Romania from this crisis, I am resigning as president of Romania,” he said in an emotional address, adding that he will leave office on February 12.

His resignation comes two months after a top court annulled a presidential election in the European Union country amid allegations of Russian meddling and after a previously little-known, far-right candidate – Calin Georgescu – won a surprise first-round victory. Last month, tens of thousands of Romanians took to the streets in several protests called by the far right to protest the vote cancellation, with some demanding for Iohannis to resign.

South Sudan Swears in New Vice Presidents Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel and Josephine Joseph Lagu Amid Economic Reforms

Shifting our focus to South Sudan, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel and Josephine Joseph Lagu were sworn in as South Sudan’s new vice presidents, less than 48 hours after being appointed by President Salva Kiir. Benjamin Bol Mel, who was sanctioned by the US in 2017 for alleged corruption, has been appointed to replace Igga as vice president for the economic cluster.

Mel, previously a special presidential envoy for special programs, has been the subject of speculation that he was being fronted as a potential successor to President Kiir.

During the swearing-in ceremony, President Kiir acknowledged the economic hardships facing the country’s citizens and directed Vice President Dr. Bol Mel to lead transformative reforms in the economic sector.

Jotham Napat Elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Vows to Lead Reconstruction Efforts After Earthquake

In Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, president of the Leaders Party of Vanuatu, was elected the country’s new prime minister, Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) reported. Napat was elected through a secret ballot in the parliament in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu. As the sole nominee in the election, Napat received 50 votes of support in the 52-seat parliament. The remaining two votes were void. Addressing the parliament after his election, Napat expressed his deep appreciation for the support and highlighted the challenges ahead, particularly the country’s reconstruction following the recent earthquake. The Leaders Party secured nine seats, the most seats in the parliament, after the snap election on Jan. 16.

Napat will lead a coalition government made up of five political parties: Leaders Party, Vanua’aku Party, Graon Mo Jastis Party, Reunification Movement for Change, and the Iauko Group.

Brink’s Global Services Faces $42 Million Penalty for Violating Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Brink’s Global Services USA (“BGS USA”), a global leader in secure logistics, found itself at the center of a significant regulatory investigation due to its failure to meet anti-money laundering (“AML”) obligations. Specifically, BGS USA was found to have violated several provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), leading to actions by both the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). These violations exposed significant gaps in the company’s AML framework, primarily related to its interactions with high-risk, unregistered foreign money services businesses (“MSB”s), often facilitating cross-border transactions.

In a notable enforcement action, FinCEN and the DOJ announced a resolution with BGS USA, resulting in a $37 million civil monetary penalty and a total payment of $42 million over three years. The 41-page consent order (the “Consent Order”) issued by FinCEN outlines multiple BSA violations and serves as a stark reminder of the legal and financial consequences of non-compliance with AML regulations. This enforcement action marks FinCEN’s first penalty against an armored car company and underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by financial services businesses involved in cross-border transactions and money transmission.

Former Gujarat DGP Kuldeep Sharma and Police Inspector Girish Vasavada Sentenced to Jail for 1984 Wrongful Confinement

Shifting our attention to India, a sessions court in Gujarat sentenced state’s former director general of police (DGP) Kuldeep Sharma to three-month imprisonment after convicting him for wrongfully confining a Congress leader nearly 41 years ago when he was the superintendent of police (SP) of Kutch district.

The Bhuj court of additional chief judicial magistrate BM Prajapati also convicted and handed a three-month jail term to former police inspector Girish Vasavada in the case.

“Both Sharma and Vasavada were convicted today under IPC (Indian Penal Code) Section 342 (wrongful confinement). The court sentenced them to three months of imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,000 each,” lawyer RS Gadhvi, who represented the complainant, said.

The case dates back to 1984, when Congress leader Ibrahim Mandhara, popularly known as Ibhala Seth, (now deceased) was assaulted by Sharma and a few other police officers at the SP’s office.

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