ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger weeks after Sahel states announce withdrawal from bloc
The West African bloc has lifted a majority of the sweeping sanctions it had imposed on Niger, including border closures and a freezing of state assets. The move followed soon after Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS after forming the Alliance of Sahel States
ECOWAS to hold talks with Niger as Sahel states move to expand ties
The West African regional bloc has decided to negotiate with Niamey for a “short transition roadmap” that can potentially lift sweeping economic sanctions. Meanwhile, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, is strengthening regional integration
“We will not stand idly by:” Mali warns against repeat of NATO’s Libyan war in Niger
At the UN General Assembly, Mali and Burkina Faso reiterated their rejection of a military intervention against Niger, recalling the devastating 2011 NATO-led war on Libya and its role in fueling violence in the Sahel
¿Es este el fin del neocolonialismo francés en África?
La reciente formación de la Alianza de Estados del Sahel es una prueba más de la consolidación del sentimiento antifrancés en la región. Philippe Toyo Noudjenoume, Presidente de la Organización de los Pueblos de África Occidental, afirma que este sentimiento es especialmente fuerte en la región del Sahel pero es común en toda el África francófona
Niger’s government accuses France of mobilizing for war after discussing troop withdrawal
The commander of French forces in the Sahel has discussed disengagement from Niger, yet Macron has refused to withdraw troops, whose continued presence in Niger was deemed ‘illegal’
Mass protests against French troops intensify in Niger as the deadline for their withdrawal approaches
France refuses to withdraw its ambassador and troops from Niger, and reiterates its threat of supporting military invasion by ECOWAS, while the regional bloc itself is “determined to bend backwards to accommodate diplomatic efforts”
African Union will not back ECOWAS intervention in Niger
Niger’s popular military government has been consolidating domestic and regional support. Meanwhile, ECOWAS is beset by disunity and domestic opposition after threatening military intervention to restore the ousted Mohamed Bazoum with the backing of France and US
- Death toll from floods in Rio Grande do Sul rises to 90, affecting more than 1 million people
- Floods wreak havoc on southern Brazilian state with 83 confirmed deaths
- Israel shuts down Al Jazeera operations in the country
- Universal Health Coverage: A failure of implementation or strategy?
- Glimmers of hope in Gaza ceasefire talks
