Politics

Niger ends relations with international Francophone body OIF

Published

11 months ago

December 27, 2023

As it gradually severs ties with former colonial ruler France, Niger has suspended all cooperation with the International Organisation of Francophone Nations (OIF).

According to Niger’s military leaders, the 88-member body “has always been used by France as an instrument to defend French interests.”

“The government of Niger calls on the African people to decolonise their minds and promote their own national languages under the ideas of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism,” said the junta’s statement.

It, however, reiterated commitment to continue to support initiatives that “directly benefit civilian populations, and those contributing to the restoration of democracy.”

In a separate statement released on Sunday, the junta stated that the duration of its recently announced transition would be decided upon following an inclusive national dialogue, but it had not yet decided how long it would stay in power. When the dialogue would occur was also not specified.

In July, a coup that ousted Mohamed Bazoum, which was roundly denounced by France and other Western allies, was staged in Niger. It quickly drove out French forces that had been assisting in quelling an Islamist insurgency that had been raging in the West African nation for ten years.

The coup had already caused the OIF to halt most of its French language programmes, support for peace and democracy, and education and development initiatives in Francophone countries around the world, many of which are former French colonies.

Over the past three years, there have been five coups in the West African subregion—in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Niger—the most recent addition to the group.

All five of these countries are also linked to Russia’s Wagner mercenary group and have a growing anti-French sentiment in common. There have also been talks of a political and economic alliance between the countries.

Politics

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

8 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.

Politics

Congo opposition mobilizes protests against constitution review

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In response to President Felix Tshisekedi’s intentions to amend the constitution, opposition lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have called for national protests on Wednesday.

Tshisekedi, who was sworn in for his second and last term in January, said that a panel would be formed in October to recommend possible constitutional amendments.

According to critics, it may be a ploy to lift term restrictions and give him another chance to run.

Tshisekedi said the current constitution, ratified by a referendum in 2005, needed to change because it did not align with the country’s current realities.

Opposition politicians, including former president Joseph Kabila and past presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, issued a unified statement on Wednesday urging rallies to “block” Tshisekedi.

A request for a response from the Congo’s presidency was not answered.

Patrick Muyaya, the minister of communications, stated on Monday that discussions surrounding the constitutional revision should be de-politicized and that no one should doubt the president’s intentions.

“We’re at the beginning of our mandate… The President of the Republic still has four years to go, and we must avoid attributing intentions to him,” Muyaya told reporters.