Politics

AU calls for dialogue between ECOWAS and junta-led states

Published

11 months ago

January 30, 2024

Following recent withdrawal from West Africa’s regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) has called for dialogue between the junta-led countries of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso and the bloc.

The AU said in a statement, “The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, learned with deep regret of the announcement of the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS.

“He calls for combined efforts so that the irreplaceable unity of ECOWAS is preserved and African solidarity strengthened.”

In formal notifications dated January 29, the foreign ministries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger informed the ECOWAS Commission of their decisions to withdraw from the organization.

The trio’s announcement on Sunday that they would be leaving ECOWAS is a setback to the organization’s attempts at regional integration.

He said the AU was ready to assist and encouraged regional leaders to step up communication between the three nations and the ECOWAS leadership.

As per the treaty of the bloc, states that intend to leave must provide a written notice of one year in advance. Therefore, it may take some time to execute the decision to leave the 15-member bloc, which could lead to discussions.

Thus, ECOWAS has maintained that the three countries “remain important members of the Community, and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.”

The three’s position on ECOWAS has brought attention to the unrest that has been raging in the area as forces have battled to keep Islamist terrorists in check ever since taking control of multiple nations.

Related Topics:ECOWAS Featured West Africa

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.