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Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso's withdrawal from ECOWAS marks a significant shift in West African politics and trade relations.
West Africans await the crucial Ecowas summit in Abuja, where debates on the bloc's future and financial stability will take centre stage amidst growing tensions and member state withdrawals
At a meeting a few weeks ago in Abuja, Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) defence chiefs and finance ministers, proposed a plan to deploy a 5 000-member regional counterterrorism force to combat the scourge of terrorist insurgency that has long been a cause for concern in West Africa.
For Africa Day 2023 the African Union chose as its main theme the acceleration of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a way to underscore the importance and urgency of the continent’s need to prioritise its economic unity and strength in the current climate of global crises.
OPINION: Perhaps by lifting the sanctions, Ecowas is trying to de-escalate tensions and make room for diplomacy and negotiations, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
OPINION: However, despite the punitive measures from Ecowas, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger dug in and responded by forming the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023 to collaborate in fighting extremist violence in their respective states and also help each other economically to blunt the impact of Ecowas sanctions, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
Niger and ECOWAS are negotiating a transition period in the coup-stricken country that could last from 15 to 18 months and are also discussing the fate of ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since the coup took place.
OPINION: Liberia’s elections represent a rare victory for democracy on continent where elections are fast losing their meaning and where transfers of power are conducted through the barrel of a gun, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
It is revealed that the agreement will be effective on November 1, 2023, and citizens of both countries who are travelling can stay in each other's territory for 90 days without being able to work
A surge in coups and demands for French sovereignty has plunged West Africa into turmoil, raising questions about democracy, security, and international relations in the region
OPINION: French President Emmanuel Macron said the coup was illegitimate and dangerous and called for an immediate restoration of the constitutional order, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
UN head António Guterres called on the military to bring an end to what is happening in Gabon after the overthrow of President Ali Bongo.
Mackenzie describes Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa who have vowed to march over the ‘sham’ elections, as ‘cowards’.
When powerful people are beating drums of war, it would be unwise to discount the possibility of an internecine conflict descending on the horizons, whose long-term meaning and purpose remains unclear to so many
ECOWAS has agreed to activate a ‘standby force’ as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger after generals toppled and detained Bazoum last month.
Ecowas was set up in 1975 to promote economic development among its 15 members. It has since stepped in in conflicts from Sierra Leone to Mali.
US acting Secretary of State Victoria Nuland has called for the military leaders in Niamey, Niger, to return to constitutional order.
OPINION: If Niger’s putschists somehow manage to to survive the threats from Ecowas and the international community, militaries in other countries willing to seize power may be emboldened. This would see more coups happening and democracy backsliding further, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
The gathering is President Tinubu's first international engagement within the continent since he was sworn in on May 29.
OPINION: The international community believes that economic sanctions would coerce the military junta to return power to civilian rule, release the political prisoners and return to the barracks, writes Delcio Maianhi.
OPINION: Load shedding has been a prominent feature of South African citizens’ lives and has brought to the fore the challenges associated with electricity access on the African continent, writes Gwinyai Taruvinga.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s victory in Brazil’s presidential elections held at the end of October where he defeated the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro may signal a new lease of life for Brazil-Africa relations.
The chairperson has called on the military to immediately and totally refrain from any acts of violence or threats to the civilian population. .
Along the fossil-rich Lower Omo valley river in Southern Ethiopia resides the Bodi Tribe.
OPINION: Imposed in January, after the military seized power last year and announced a four-year delay in the transition to an elected civilian rule, the sanctions have had devastating impacts on Mali, writes Koffi Kouakou.