Politics

Niger ends relations with international Francophone body OIF

Published

1 year 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

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.