Tag: Mali

Niger, Mali, B’Faso set to expose Nigerian politicians aiding bandits

Aminu Imam
Niger president

Intelligence agencies from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso say they are preparing to reveal the names of senior Nigerian politicians alleged to be supporting bandit groups operating in Nigeria’s North-West region. According to security analyst, Zagazola Makama, officials of the security agencies disclosed that they are already in possession of the names of some politicians suspected of providing assistance to the criminal gangs. They added that some individuals involved in supplying arms to the bandits had been arrested and investigations were underway. According to the agencies, the move forms part…

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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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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The three military-led West African nations – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS).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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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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German army sends civilian airplane to relieve troops in Mali

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The German Army, on Thursday dispatched a civilian airplane from Cologne to rotate troops in Mali, after authorities in theWest African state finally granted permission, a German military spokesperson told dpa. The plane took off with 88 soldiers from the UN mission MINUSMA and five soldiers from the EU training mission EUTM Mali on board, sources close to German parliament said in a briefing. Malis provisional military government suspended troop rotations for the UN mission on July 14. Thursdays flight is the first one enabling troop rotations for Germans since then, according to the parliamentary sources.…

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Woman from Mali gives birth to 9 babies

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

A woman from Mali who gave birth to nine babies known as nonuplets is doing well despite complications during delivery. The babies will need medical care for up to three months, a spokesman from the Casablanca clinic where the woman gave birth said. She had been transferred to the clinic in Morocco at the end of March. The children are well but there is still a risk for them, spokesman Abdul Kuddus Hafsi said. There were 35 medical staff present for the birth by caesarian section, he said.…

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France announces killing of al-Qaida military leader in Mali

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

French forces have killed Bah Moussa, a military leader of al-Qaidas North Africa wing in Mali, Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said. This is a major success in the fight against terrorism that France is leading with its partners in the Sahel, said Parly. Moussa, a military leader of the Rally for the Victory, an al-Qaida wing operating in the Sahel region, was killed on Tuesday during an operation involving significant intelligence resources, ground troops and helicopters, according to the defence ministry. France has led a special military operation to…

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Burial of former Malian President scheduled for Nov. 20

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The remains of former Malian President, Amadou Toumani Tour, will arrive in Bamako on Friday and the national funeral will take place on November 20, according to a source close to the family. The source said the burial will be witnessed by several national and foreign personalities. It said the national funeral ceremony will be chaired by the president of the Transition, Bah NDaw, who is currently on a tour of four West Africa countries (Ghana, Togo, Senegal and Guinea Bissau). The tour ends on November 17. The former Malian…

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Mali: AU kicks, seeks UN intervention as soldiers arrest President Keita, PM Cisse

Ishaku Yohanna

The African Union Commission has reacted to the arrest and detention of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse by mutinying soldiers. The African Union Commission kicked against the arrests of Keita, Cisse and other officials which happened on Tuesday. The mutinying soldiers had detained Keita and some members of his cabinet at his residence in Bamako, the countrys capital. Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned any attempt at anti-constitutional change while calling on the mutinying soldiers to respect the states institutions. Faki…

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