Tag: ECOWAS

China, ECOWAS, U.S. lawmakers condemn Trump’s threat of military action against Nigeria

Aminu Imam
China, others on Trump’s threat

A global wave of condemnation has trailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to launch military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, with China, ECOWAS, and members of the U.S. Congress warning against reckless interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs. Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China “firmly supports the Nigerian government as it leads its people on a development path suited to its national conditions”. Ning warned that “no country should use religion or human rights as an excuse to interfere…

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ECOWAS: S’Leone President Bio succeeds Tinubu as President 

Aminu Imam
S'Leone President Bio

President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government. He takes over from Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, whose two-term leadership of the bloc has just ended. President Tinubu has handed over the mantle of leadership to President Bio at the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, had hinted at the leadership change during the closing session of the 94th…

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Despite ECOWAS exit, Nigeria invites Burkina Faso, Niger to summit

Aminu Imam
ECOWAS exit, Nigeria invites2

Nigeria has extended invitations to Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali to attend the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit, despite their recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has announced. At a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Tuggar stressed that the decision of these countries to leave ECOWAS does not diminish their role as key partners in the region’s economic development. He explained that invitations were personally delivered by special envoys sent under the directive of the Nigerian President.…

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ECOWAS golden jubilee: Tinubu to lead celebrations in Lagos

Aminu Imam
Tinubu for ECOWAS jubilee

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for Lagos to celebrate, along with other leaders, the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS). The ECOWAS golden jubilee was flagged off in Accra in April 2025. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement yesterday, titled: “President Tinubu departs for Lagos to mark ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary, commission projects”. The statement reads: “The Lagos events will include reenacting the 1975 declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Victoria…

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Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso officially exit ECOWAS

Aminu Imam
ECOWAS exit

The three military-led West African nations – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS). The regional bloc disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday. This brings to an end a year-long attempt by ECOWAS to convince the countries to reconsider leaving the bloc.  The Commission, however, said it intends to “keep its door open” if any of the countries want to return to its fold. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso first announced their decision to leave ECOWAS in early…

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ECOWAS: Tinubu presides over Abuja summit, pays ?85bn levy owed Nigeria

Aminu Imam
Tinubu presides

President Bola Tinubu has paid ?85 billion, to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), representing 100% payment for levy owed by Nigeria. This translates into $54 million. President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, who disclosed this as part of his reports at its 66th Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads State and Government meeting in Abuja yesterday. said that the funds represents 100% of the 2023 and 2024 levy, up to July, this year, adding that this is the first time that such will be…

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#EndSARS Protest: ECOWAS Court finds FG guilty of human rights violations

Aminu Imam
IMG COM 202407110118055970

Orders trial of security agents who attacked protesters at Lekki Toll Gate The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), yesterday, found the Federal Government ‘guilty’ of violating the fundamental human rights of youths that participated in the October 2020, #EndSARS protest. The court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices, held that there was merit in a suit which three participants in the protest- Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka- lodged before it. Specifically, the court held that the…

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Tinubu re-elected as ECOWAS Chairman

Aminu Imam
Tinubu ECOWAS

President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS). He was re-elected at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States and Government at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Tinubu, who accepted his re-election, appointed the President of Senegal to join in the mediation with Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. Meanwhile, the President called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic…

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Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger form new confederation after exiting ECOWAS

Aminu Imam
ECOWAS 2.0

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republics have finalised plans to form a new confederation, the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States, marking a geo-political shift in the region. The announcement was made following a meeting of the three nations foreign ministers in Nigers capital, Niamey, on Friday, as reported by AFP. This move according to observers, showed their departure from their former colonial ruler, France, and a turn towards closer relations with Russia. Nigers Foreign Minister, Bakary Sangare, confirmed the finalisation of the draft text that outlines the institutionalisation…

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“Prevail on Niger, Mali to return to ECOWAS” – Tinubu asks Senegals Faye

Aminu Imam
Tinubu Faye

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, received President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, of Senegal, and called for an alignment in West Africa to effectively address the challenges confronting the region. Speaking during a meeting with the Senegalese President at the State House, President Tinubu said West Africa must work together to defeat the hydra-headed problems of terrorism, banditry, human trafficking and poverty. He advised that leaders in the region must make the people the point of convergence in governance, noting that the essence of democracy is lost when the people are…

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