Africa

ECOWAS Chair: No Option Off the Table in Niger Republic Crisis Resolution
Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Chair: No Option Off the Table in Niger Republic Crisis Resolution

President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has asserted that no option is off the table, including the use of force as a last resort, in the efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in Niger Republic. The Chairman made these remarks during the closing of an ECOWAS summit held in Abuja, Nigeria. Tinubu, speaking after the summit, highlighted that the communiqué issued at the extraordinary summit explicitly outlines that all options, including the use of force as a last resort, are being considered. He emphasized the significance of ECOWAS taking the lead in finding a solution to the crisis and stated that if the bloc doesn't act decisively, no one else will. Tinubu underscored ECOWAS's unwavering commitment to supporting Niger in its pursuit ...
ECOWAS Calls for International Support, Deploys Standby Force to Restore Constitutional Order in Niger
Africa, Armed Forces, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Calls for International Support, Deploys Standby Force to Restore Constitutional Order in Niger

The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) has issued a call to the United Nations, partner countries, and other international institutions to back its efforts in swiftly restoring constitutional order in Niger Republic. This call comes in the wake of an extraordinary summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, where ECOWAS leaders convened to address the ongoing political crisis in the West African nation. During the summit, ECOWAS announced a series of resolutions aimed at resolving the crisis that ensued following the ouster and detention of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum by the military on July 26. The summit marked a follow-up to a previous meeting held on July 30, wherein the diplomatic efforts to address the situation were met with resistance by the military leadership of Niger. In...
Former Rebel Leader Launches Resistance Movement Against Niger’s Military Junta
Africa, Armed Forces, News, Niger, Security

Former Rebel Leader Launches Resistance Movement Against Niger’s Military Junta

A former rebel leader and prominent political figure in Niger Republic has launched a new rebel movement, signaling the first internal opposition to the military government that came into power through a coup on July 26. The emergence of this resistance movement, known as the Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR), is a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in this strategically important Sahel nation. The leader of the CRR, Rhissa Ag Boula, stated that the primary objective of the movement is to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to power. President Bazoum, who was democratically elected, has been held under house arrest since the military takeover. Ag Boula's announcement underscores the increasing resistance to the junta's rule and sets the stage for potential ...
ECOWAS Emergency Summit Convenes Amid Niger Coup Crisis
Africa, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Emergency Summit Convenes Amid Niger Coup Crisis

Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are set to gather for an emergency summit on Thursday to address the ongoing crisis sparked by the military coup in Niger. The coup, which took place two weeks ago, led to the toppling of President Mohamed Bazoum's government. While ECOWAS seeks a diplomatic solution to the situation, it has not ruled out the possibility of using force to resolve the crisis. The emergency summit, scheduled to be held in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, is expected to yield significant decisions aimed at restoring democratic governance in Niger, according to a statement released by the 15-nation organization on Tuesday. The summit comes after the military leaders in Niger defied an ultimatum given by ECOWAS to reinstate President Bazoum within...
Cooking Gas to Increase in Price Next Week – Marketers
Cost of Living, Economy, News, Nigeria, Petroleum

Cooking Gas to Increase in Price Next Week – Marketers

Gas users in Nigeria are facing the grim prospect of higher prices in the coming weeks, as marketers have hinted at an impending price hike. The President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Olatunbosun Oladapo, revealed that a confluence of factors, including rising international prices, high tax rates, vessel prices, forex scarcity, and naira devaluation, is pushing gas prices higher. Olatunbosun Oladapo, in a recent statement, cautioned gas users to brace themselves for the impact of price increases, which he stated would take effect as early as next week. He pointed out that international gas prices have surged, resulting in higher costs for importation. The increased prices of vessels, coupled with the scarcity of foreign exchange and the devaluation ...
Niger: Nigeria Disconnects its 150MW Power Supply as ECOWAS Seeks to Restore Democracy
Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Power, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

Niger: Nigeria Disconnects its 150MW Power Supply as ECOWAS Seeks to Restore Democracy

As part of efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democracy in Niger, Nigeria has disconnected the supply of 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity daily to its neighboring country. The disconnection was carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), responsible for transmitting power, on Tuesday night. The Managing Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, has not yet responded to media inquiries, but an anonymous source within the organization confirmed the disconnection. The source stated, "It is true Niger was disconnected from the national grid last night based on the instruction of the government. Nigeria used to supply 150 megawatts of power to Niger. It is a total disconnection in line with ECOWAS moves to restore democracy in that c...
UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup
Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal

UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup

The United Kingdom has declared its support for the position taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the military coup in Niger Republic, which resulted in the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup plotters have been given a seven-day ultimatum by ECOWAS Heads of State to restore President Bazoum to power or face military action. UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, conveyed the UK's stance after an audience with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He commended ECOWAS' decisive action, strong commitment to democracy, and the unambiguous message that violence is not an acceptable means to bring about political change. Cleverly recognized President Bazoum as the legitimate leader and expressed the UK's unwavering commitment...
ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Convene Extraordinary Meeting to Address Niger Coup
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Convene Extraordinary Meeting to Address Niger Coup

The Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabim Musa, led his counterparts from 10 ECOWAS countries in an extraordinary meeting to address the recent coup d'état in the Republic of Niger. During the meeting, held in Abuja, General Musa emphasized the need for a united response from the military in the region to restore democratic governance in Niger. The coup, which took place on July 26, 2023, has raised serious concerns among ECOWAS member states, prompting an emergency session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government. The extraordinary meeting of defence chiefs was convened to strategize on the collective mission of restoring democracy in Niger and preserving humanitarian principles across the region. See Also: UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup ...
NLC Suspends Nationwide Protests Against Removal of Fuel Subsidy
Cost of Living, Labour, News, Nigeria, Petroleum

NLC Suspends Nationwide Protests Against Removal of Fuel Subsidy

The Organised Labour has suspended its proposed nationwide strike and protests against the removal of fuel subsidy, not up to 24 hours after it had embarked on the mass action. The decision was announced by the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, during an interview with Arise News on Thursday morning. The Labour leaders, who had previously met with President Bola Tinubu, stated that they extracted commitments from the government to address some of the issues raised during the meeting, and these commitments were to be implemented immediately. Based on this development, the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) decided to suspend the strike action. The initial plan for nationwide protests and the strike action came after the Nigeria Labour Congress had met ...
Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Sierra Leone

Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting

A meeting of defence chiefs from ECOWAS nations held today at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, but the gathering is conspicuously missing the presence of some key countries. Defence Chiefs from Mali, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Guinea were noticeably absent from the meeting, while representatives from several other nations are in attendance. Present at the meeting are Defence Chiefs from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, The Gambia, Cote D’Ivoire, and Cape Verde. The meeting is being presided over by General Christopher Musa, the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff. The meeting has been convened in response to the recent military coup in Niger Republic, where the Commander of Niger's Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, toppled the ...