Tag: Niger

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 ...
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...
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 ...
Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali

The junta-led governments of Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint warning on Monday, stating that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be regarded as a "declaration of war" against their two countries. This came in response to threats made by West African leaders, backed by Western partners, to use "force" to reinstate the democratically elected Bazoum and impose financial sanctions on the putschists. The governments of Burkina Faso and Mali emphasized the potential disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, warning that such action could destabilize the entire region. They also rejected the application of "illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions" against the people and authorities of Niger. At an emergency summ...
Niger President Says Mali’s Withdrawal Marks ‘Death’ Of G5 Sahel Alliance
Mali, News, Niger, Security, Terrorism

Niger President Says Mali’s Withdrawal Marks ‘Death’ Of G5 Sahel Alliance

Niger's President has said Mali's withdrawal from the G5 Sahel, a multinational force created to fight Islamist militants, will mark the end of the alliance. President Mohamed Bayoum made the remarks in an interview with French daily La Croix. Bazoum said Mali's isolation was undermining the fight against insurgents. Bamako this week announced that it was quitting the G5 Sahel, after being blocked from assuming the group's rotating presidency.  It blamed 'a state outside the region' for trying to foment divisions among the member states. Created in 2014, the alliance which also includes Mauritania, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Niger was to help the countries jointly tackle Islamist militants. Read Also: Mali Withdraws From Regional Anti-jihadist Force Since 2020, Mal...
Mali Withdraws From Regional Anti-jihadist Force
Armed Forces, Mali, News, Security

Mali Withdraws From Regional Anti-jihadist Force

Mali said Sunday it was withdrawing from a west African force fighting jihadists to protest its being rejected as head of the G5 regional group, which also includes Mauritania, Chad, Burkina and Niger. "The government of Mali is deciding to withdraw from all the organs and bodies of the G5 Sahel, including the joint force" fighting the jihadists, it said in a statement. The G5 Sahel was created in 2014 and its anti-jihadist force launched in 2017. A conference of heads of state of the G5 Sahel scheduled for February 2022 in Bamako had been due to mark "the start of the Malian presidency of the G5." But nearly four months after the mandate indicated this meeting "has still not taken place," the statement said. Bamako "firmly rejects the argument of a G5 member state whic...
25 Nigerien Migrants Dumped in the Desert by Smugglers
Human Rights, News, Niger, Safety, Security, United Nations, Youths

25 Nigerien Migrants Dumped in the Desert by Smugglers

At least twenty-five Niger migrants consisting of women and children have been rescued in the northern Niger desert after they were dumped by their driver. This was disclosed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a statement issued on Tuesday. The migrants were rescued "last weekend in the Sahara desert by (teams of) IOM and the Directorate of Civil Protection of Niger," said the UN agency in a Facebook post. Nigerien Migrants Left in the Desert The survivors, whose destination was not specified, "remained without food and water for three days" before being found, said the IOM. Rescue operations for migrants are frequent in the hostile Nigerien desert, mainly in areas close to Libya. Many West African migrants try to cross through Libya to reach the Me...
Niger Votes in Search of First Democratic Transition
Economy, Elections, News, Security

Niger Votes in Search of First Democratic Transition

Niger heads to the polls on Sunday (today) in an election that is expected to pave way for the first transfer of power between two democratically elected presidents in a country battling insecurity. Reports say Mohamed Bazoum, former interior minister, the ruling party’s candidate is in pole position to replace President Mahamadou Issoufou, who has completed two five-year terms leading the West African country, CGTN reports. The 60 years old Bazoum in his campaign address, promised to continue with Issoufou’s policies, while also vowing to cleanse the country of corruption. Bazoum in a campaign video said, “If I am lucky enough to win this election, you will have chosen someone who is ready from day one.” The election comes at a time when Niger is facing twin security crises. I...