ECOWAS - The African Mirror

Jan

2024

African Union urges dialogue between ECOWAS and junta-led states

THE African Union (AU) called for dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and junta-led countries Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso who have said they will leave the bloc. The trio's decision to exit ECOWAS, which they announced on Sunday, is a blow to the bloc's regional integration efforts after it suspended them following coups. The AU had backed ECOWAS' efforts to restore democracy. "The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat learned with deep regret of the announcement of the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS," the AU said in a statement. "(He) calls…

Jan

2024

By BOUREIMA BALIMA and TIEMOKO DIALLO

Three West African junta-led states quit ECOWAS regional block

NEWS

NIGER, Mali and Burkina Faso, three West African states led by the military, said that they are immediately leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional economic bloc that has been urging them to return to democratic rule. The decision by the three, announced in a simultaneous joint statement on their national television channels, is a blow to the bloc's regional integration efforts after it suspended the three following coups. The move could further weaken ECOWAS which has struggled to contain a democratic retreat in the West Africa region. In response to the withdrawal, ECOWAS said it…

Jan

2024

By CONRAD ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

bird TenX: Africa’s 10 ‘most open’ countries for travel

TRAVEL

IN the past eight years, 35 countries have improved their visa policies and, since 2016, five countries have abolished all visa requirements for African travellers. As a result, citizens of at least five countries can now enjoy visa-free travel in 42 different countries, compared to just three in 2020. According to the Africa Development Bank's Africa Visa Openness Report 2023, most countries are making progress towards simplifying entry processes and dropping restrictions for other nations. The report also indicates that the free movement of people has advanced within Africa’s regional economic blocs. In the past year, six of the eight…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

Niger tribunal grants ousted president’s son provisional release from house arrest

NEWS

NIGER'S military tribunal granted the son of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, Mohamed Bazoum Salem, provisional release from house arrest in the capital Niamey, it said in a statement. Salem, 23, has been in detention at the presidential residence with his parents since his father was toppled during a military coup in July. The coup, one of eight in West and Central Africa since 2020, was widely condemned, led to sanctions from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), and prompted widespread calls for Bazoum's release and a return to democratic rule. The tribunal did not provide details on the…

Jan

2024

By BOUREIMA BALIMA and ABDEL-KADER MAZOU

Military-led Sahel states rally thousands to support alliance

NEWS

THE prime ministers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali affirmed their commitment to a shared future under an alliance that has seen the three junta-led countries distance themselves from the larger West African political bloc since their coups. The three neighbouring states are all ruled by military officers who have seized power in coups since 2020. This has put them at odds with the rest of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is urging them to return to democratic rule. "From now on, we say, whether you're from Mali, Niger or Burkina, we have the same destiny. We're…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

West Africa court orders reinstatement of ousted Niger leader Bazoum

NEWS

A West African court ruled that the ousted president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, and his family were arbitrarily detained and called for a return to democratic rule through his reinstatement. Bazoum was toppled during a military coup on July 26. He and his family have since been in detention without access to running water or electricity, according to his party and relatives. The coup was widely condemned, led to sanctions from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), and prompted widespread calls for Bazoum's release and a return to democratic rule. Bazoum and his family referred their case to…

Dec

2023

By FELIX ONUAH

West Africa bloc to negotiate with Niger junta on return to democracy

NEWS

WEST Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS set up a committee of three leaders to negotiate with Niger's military junta on a transition to democratic rule and to consider easing sanctions, a communique said after an annual summit. Niger in July became the latest Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member to undergo a coup when soldiers from the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum and set up what they called a transitional government, one of a series of government overthrows in West Africa's Sahel region. At Sunday's summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja, ECOWAS decided to set up a committee of leaders…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Niger cuts 2023 budget by 40% as post-coup sanctions bite

BUSINESS

NIGER has cut its planned spending in 2023 by 40% because of international sanctions imposed after the military took power in a July coup, further hobbling the economy in one of the world's poorest countries, the junta said in a televised statement. The statement said this year's budget, initially forecast at 3.29 trillion CFA francs ($5.3 billion), was slashed to 1.98 trillion, without detailing where the cuts would fall. Soldiers from the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and set up a transitional government, one of the recent coups in West Africa's Sahel region. The takeover prompted…

Jul

2023

By FELIX ONUAH

Nigerian President Tinubu chosen as new West Africa bloc chief

NEWS

WEST African regional bloc ECOWAS has chosen Nigerian President Bola Tinubu as its new chairman at a time of deepening insecurity, including military coups and terrorism, in the region. West Africa has witnessed six successful military coups since 2020, marking a backslide of democracy in a region that had been seen to be making progress in shedding its "coup belt" moniker. Tinubu, who was voted in on Sunday and takes over from President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, called for swift action against insecurity including terrorism and coups in West Africa which he said had reached "alarming proportion." "On peace…

Jan

2023

By The African Mirror

Mali leader pardons Ivorian soldiers, suspends 46 prison sentences

NEWS

MALI'S junta leader has pardoned 49 Ivorian soldiers arrested in July and accused of conspiring against the Malian government, the presidency said in a statement. The soldiers' arrest sparked a diplomatic dispute between Mali and neighbouring Ivory Coast, and widespread condemnation from regional leaders against a country already at odds with the international community. They were arrested at the airport in Mali's capital Bamako last July. Malian authorities said the troops were acting as mercenaries, while Ivory Coast said they were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali. Three who were women were later released, while the remaining 46…