Metro

ECOWAS leaders fail to agree on sanctions for Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso. Here’s what we know

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2022

Leaders of the West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Saturday, failed to arrive at a decision on what action to take against the military juntas in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, further postponing an agreement for another month.

Despite promises of heavy sanctions, leaders of the West African countries who met on July 3 for the ECOWAS summit in Accra, Ghana, failed to spell out sanctions for the three nations whose militaries truncated democratically elected governments through coups in the past two years.

The ECOWAS summit in Accra had been billed to be the forum where the bloc would agree whether to ease or impose stiffer sanctions against the three nations which are currently suspended from the bodies, but in the end, the threats could not be translated into action.

While declaring open the summit which was attended by 15-member countries without representatives from Mali, Burkina Faso or Guinea, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said the body would reexamine its stance on the three countries

“This present summit will reexamine and assess the situations in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso in light of recent developments within the region and global context,” Akufo-Addo said.

“Our objective has always been to find ways to help these countries return to constitutional order,” he added.

While Mali has already been slapped with some sanctions after setting a five year timeframe for a return to democracy, Guinea and Burkina Faso both risk further punitive measures from the bloc after the ruling juntas vowed to hold on to power for another three years.

In the last two years, West Africa has seen a succession of military coups with two in Mali, which was followed by the putsch in Guinea in September 2021, and Burkina Faso in January 2022.

The military leaders of the three countries, Colonel Assimi Goita for Mali, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in Burkina Faso, and Colonel Mamady Doumbouya in Guinea, have all resisted pressure from the regional bloc to speed up a return to democracy or setting a timeline for elections.

Related Topics:ECOWAS Featured Military Coups Sanctions

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

11 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.