Politics

Niger Republic junta agrees to democratic transition— ECOWAS

Published

1 year ago

December 17, 2023

Togo’s foreign minister, Robert Dussey, has revealed that the Niger Republic’s junta has agreed to return to democratic reign with the agreement set to be presented to the regional bloc, ECOWAS.

Dussey was in Niger as a delegate of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the bloc continues to mount pressure for a quick return to constitutional order after military officers seized power in a coup in July.

“We had an enriching work session with the prime minister and the minister of foreign affairs of Niger. We worked and agreed on the content and timing of the transition,” Dussey said on Niger State television late on Thursday.

“We are going to present this to the heads of states who are mediators and the ECOWAS Commission in the hope that in January, the timeline expected by ECOWAS will be known,” he said, standing next to his Nigerien counterpart.

Earlier this week, the United States said it was open to resuming security and development cooperation with Niger if the West African country resolved to return to democracy. The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, announced this after meeting Niger’s ruling military council, known as the CNSP, where she also encouraged them to announce a timeline for a swift transition back to democratic rule.

At its last summit in Nigeria, the main political and economic organisation in West Africa, ECOWAS, decided to form a committee made up of leaders from Togo, Sierra Leone, and Benin to work with the Niger junta to reach an agreement “on a short transition roadmap.”

Since 2020, coups have resulted in military juntas ruling the three neighbouring states. They are now at odds with the other members of ECOWAS. Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, recently revealed that his country is considering political and economic alliances with its West African neighbours, Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also under military reign.

Related Topics:#NIGER REPUBLIC ECOWAS Featured

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Politics

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.