Category: Mali - Page 3 - African News Today

Ousted President of Mali Flown Abroad for Medical Attention

6Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

Ousted President of Mali Flown Abroad for Medical Attention

Former Malian president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, recently deposed by mutinying soldiers was flown to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for medical attention in the late hours of Saturday, a top diplomat said. Keita, 75, was hospitalised in Mali after his release from detention by the military junta who held him for 10 days. The former president departed Mali for medical treatment along with his wife, Aminata Maiga Keita, an aide, two doctors and four security personnel, said the diplomat who sought anonymity Sahara Reporters reports. He was flown to UAE following a request from Malian authorities and Keita, so he could access medical care at a military hospital in Abu Dhabi. Keita had returned to his residence earlier I the week after hospitalisation at a private hospital under tig...

Mali Coup: Jonathan Led ECOWAS Delegation Meet Coup Leaders as Talks Continue

23Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

Mali Coup: Jonathan Led ECOWAS Delegation Meet Coup Leaders as Talks Continue

A meeting of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation led by former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan with Mali's coup leaders ended barely after 20 minutes. The coup in Mali is celebrated by many Malian citizens though the international community has condemned the ouster of Ibrahim Boubacar Keita at a time when the country faces Islamist insurgency and months of mass protests. An ECOWAS delegation arrived in the capital, Bamako, for deliberations aimed at returning the country to civilian rule. Head of the delegation, Jonathan sounded optimistic of persuading the coup leaders ahead of a series of meetings with the mutineers and other groups. Jonathan in a chat with reporters said, “I believe at the end of the day we will come up with something that i...

20Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

ECOWAS Set to Convene Over Mali Coup

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to convene a videoconference meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis in Mali which led to President Ibrahim Keita’s removal. The regional body has been vocal against the change of government in Mali by Mutinying soldiers. In a statement in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja it said, “The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold an extraordinary summit on the socio-political situation in Mali on Thursday.” ECOWAS had been involved at finding a solution to the unrest in the member state prior to Tuesday’s coup. Colonel Assimi Goita, Malian army officer on Wednesday announced himself as the coup leader. Mali’s membership of the African Union (AU) was suspe...

Mali Opposition Commends Coup Plotters, Promises Support

20Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

Mali Opposition Commends Coup Plotters, Promises Support

The opposition coalition in Mali, M5-REP has lent its support to the mutinying solders that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and commended their willingness to handover to a civilian transitional government. It said in a statement that “it took note of the commitment” the junta has made to “open a civilian political transition” and would work with it on “developing a roadmap.” Representative of the coalition, Choguel Maiga told reporters, “we will organise the biggest patriotic rally on Friday” in Bamako and nationwide in order to “celebrate the Malian people’s victory”. On Wednesday, Army colonel Assimi Goita presented himself as the leader of the coup plotters a day after a coup that was condemned by the Mali’s regional and international partners but won the backing of th...

President of Mali Resigns, Military Commits to Civilian Transition After Take over

19Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

President of Mali Resigns, Military Commits to Civilian Transition After Take over

Orders closure of border, imposes curfew Soldiers who staged a mutiny on Tuesday in Mali prompting the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and his deputy has promised to hand over to a civilian transitional government that will organise elections. This was disclosed on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the mutineers who identified as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People in a statement aired by state-owned television, saying the mutiny was to prevent the country from falling further into chaos Committee spokesperson Colonel Ismael Wague urged civil society and political movements in Mali to be a part of the process that will usher in civil transition that will organise elections. Wague said, “Our country is sinking into chaos, anarchy, and...

Mutinying Soldiers Arrest Mali’s President and Prime Minister

18Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

Mutinying Soldiers Arrest Mali’s President and Prime Minister

Mutinying solders have reportedly arrested Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse. Clips have surfaced on social media showing a convoy of vehicles surrounded by troops with a statement by a leader of the mutinying soldiers confirming the arrest. "We can tell you that the president and the prime minister are under our control," the leader, who requested anonymity, told AFP. He added that the pair had been "arrested" at Keita's residence in the capital Bamako. Earlier, Cisse urged mutinying soldiers to stand down and called for dialogue to resolve the situation. Reports of the mutiny first emerged after gunfire was heard at an army base outside the capital, Bamako. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in a statement condemne...

Time For Youths to Takeover Power, Obasanjo to African Youths

13Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Ghana, Kenya, Mali, News, Nigeria, South Africa

Time For Youths to Takeover Power, Obasanjo to African Youths

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former President has said the time has come for African youths to occupy leadership positions.He said youth participation in the activities of political parties is key to taking over their structure and stand a better chance of occupying elective positions.Obasanjo disclosed this on Wednesday during a keynote address at a virtual interactive which took place to mark the International Youth Day, 2020.The Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta organised the event.The former President said that unless the youths stand up to the older generation of leaders who occupy various leadership roles, they will continue to be relegated to the background. “Unless you squeeze out those who are in the office ...

23Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Mali, Nigeria

Buhari Embarks on Peace Mission to Mali

President Muhammadu Buhari will embark on a one-day peace keeping visit to Bamako, Republic of Mali on Thursday, after a briefing by ECOWAS Special Envoy to Nigeria, erstwhile President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This will mark President Buhari’s first travel outside Nigeria since the country recorded its first case of deadly COVID-19 case in March this year. The President is scheduled to meet Chairman of the Authority of Head of State and Government of the sub-regional organisation, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic who will lead some ECOWAS leaders to Mali in a bid to finding a long-lasting political solution to the crisis in the country. Other Presidents expected to participate in the Bamako meeting are the host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy ...

Mass Rally Demanding President Ibrahim Boubacar’s Resignation Continues in Mali

20Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Mali, News

Mass Rally Demanding President Ibrahim Boubacar’s Resignation Continues in Mali

Opposition protesters in Mali turned up en masse in the streets of Bamako, the nation’s capital, demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Friday. Opposition leaders in Mali had made several calls accusing the president of neglecting the countries array of problems. One of such protesters, Bintou expressed desire for the president to vacate office: “We are here tonight to put an end to corruption, to put an end to demagoguery, to put an end to this dying power that is no longer capable of educating our children, giving us health, equipping our army. “Imagine in a country where the money intended to equip the army to protect the nation is misappropriated. This regime must be stopped. IBK (Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta) must go.” The under-fire president announced...

Opinion: Let’s Talk RUGA aka Fulani Cattle Colonies by Nnamdi Elekwachi

28Jun

By admin4 Comments

Crime, Fulani Herdsmen, Human Rights, Mali, News, Nigeria, Religion, Security, Terrorism

Opinion: Let’s Talk RUGA aka Fulani Cattle Colonies by Nnamdi Elekwachi

The Buhari Administration has commenced construction of Cattle Colonies, rebranded “RUGA” in 36 States of Nigeria. The project has started in Kotongora, Niger State on a 31,000-hectare piece of land. The project will be initially replicated in 12 States with six (6) of such colonies to be constructed in each State. What is RUGA aka Cattle Colony? RUGA or Cattle Colony is a SETTLEMENT for Fulani Herdsmen, their families and cattle/livestock. It will contain ranches, grass or feed farms, abattoirs, dairy, meat and skin/leather processing plants, housing, religious houses, schools, roads, power and water supplies and the complete range of infrastructure required to support and sustain an ultra-modern local government area . Okay, lets talk now FACTS FIRST. 1. Taking a cue fro...