Politics

AU chief, Moussa Mahamat, France, others react as Burkina Faso witnesses 2nd coup in 8 months

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2022

Reactions have been trailing the latest military coup in Burkina Faso as the African Union (AU) has referred to the coup as an “unconstitutional change of government.”

AU chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was deeply concerned about the resurgence of unconstitutional ousters in the West African nation and elsewhere on the continent.

The chairperson of the Pan-African group in a statement, “called upon the military to immediately and totally refrain from any acts of violence or threats to the civilian population, civil liberties, human rights.”

There have also been reactions from the international community on the development as Burkina Faso’s former colonial ruler, France has asked its citizens in the capital city, Ouagadougou, to stay home, while the European Union expressed “concern” at the unfolding events.

The United States on its side also called “for a return to calm and restraint by all actors”.

Meanwhile, there have been mixed reactions from the citizens towards the development. One local resident, Francois Kaboré, told a journalist that “He could no longer manage the security issue. Many people died and more and more criminals approached the big cities. So, many people were not happy with that.”

Another citizen, Alidou Pitroipa, disagreed with the position. “If there was a problem between the soldiers, discuss it between you, to find the right solution.,” he said “It’s not the right solution to overthrow the power. That means, with this kind of situation, you don’t know when it’s going to end.” Mr. Pitroipa told journalists.

The West Africa sub-region has witnessed a series of military coups in recent years. In Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso since August 2020.

Eight months after the last coup that outed democratically elected President Roch Kabore in January Burkina Faso by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, soldiers struck again in the troubled West African country as Damiba was also overthrown by one of his trusted allies, Captain Ibrahim Traore.

Related Topics:AU Burkina Faso Featured Moussa Mahamat

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Politics

Mozambique’s top court affirms governing party’s victory in recent election

Published

1 day ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Mozambique affirmed Monday that the incumbent Frelimo party won the October election, sparking widespread demonstrations from opposition parties who claim the vote was manipulated.

Fears of fresh bloodshed have been raised in the nation already shaken by weeks of fatal protests after Mozambique’s top electoral court mostly confirmed the results of the country’s contentious October elections, reinforcing the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power.

The final decision on the election process rests with the Constitutional Council. Mozambique, a nation of over 35 million people in Southern Africa that Frelimo has ruled since 1975, is expected to see more protests in response to its judgement.

Mozambique operates a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic in a multi-party system. The president of Mozambique serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

The government exercises executive power. The administration and the Assembly of the Republic have the authority to enact laws.

Politics

Alliance of Sahel States opposes ECOWAS disengagement schedule

Published

1 day ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrawal timeline has been rejected by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The AES claims that the ECOWAS is attempting to destabilise their newly formed organisation.

During a meeting last week in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organisation announced a six-month withdrawal period to give the three nations time to change their minds after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

However, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES,” according to the heads of state of the AES.

“This unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” the statement continues. Before the conference, they stated that their choice to leave the organisation was “irreversible.”

According to the president of the Ecowas Commission, this will be a “transition period” that ends on “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open.”

The three nations accused the bloc of neglecting to assist them in resolving their domestic security challenges and of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coup.

The three nations that were involved in the coup have mostly rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to undo their withdrawal. They are creating their alliance and have begun thinking about how to issue travel passports independently of ECOWAS.

It is anticipated that they will finish giving their one-year notice of departure in January.

Visa-free travel to other ECOWAS members is a significant perk of membership, and it is unclear how this would alter after the three nations exit the group.