WEST AFRICA Archives - Voice of Liberty NG

When Democracy Loses Its Soul: Nigeria, ECOWAS and the Crisis of Moral Authority in West Africa

December 15, 2025December 15, 2025 Aminu Imam

Onibiyo Segun West Africa is once again trapped in a familiar and troubling cycle: elected governments failing their people, soldiers stepping in, and regional institutions scrambling to defend a version of democracy that millions no longer trust. Nowhere is this contradiction more visible than in Nigeria’s leadership of ECOWAS under Tinubu. Following the failed coup attempt in the Benin Republic, ECOWAS suddenly rediscovered its voice, issuing stern warnings and recommitting itself to the defense of “democratic order.” As current ECOWAS chair, Nigeria has positioned itself as the region’s chief custodian…

Over 14,000 schools shut, 1,364 child-soldiers recruited in W’Africa’ in 2024 – UN

September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 Aminu Imam

The United Nations (UN) has raised the alarm on the escalating humanitarian crisis of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel, revealing that at least 1,364 children were recruited by armed groups in 2024, while over 14,000 schools have been forced to shut down due to insecurity. This was made known on Wednesday by Leonardo Simão, UN Under Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, at the Regional Conference on Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS Region and the…

US military eyes West Africa as �Plan-B� after ouster from Niger

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024 Aminu Imam

Flintlock 2018 Training in Agadez, Niger

A top U.S. general is making a rare trip to Africa to discuss ways to preserve some of the U.S. presence in West Africa after the Republic of Niger decided to kick-out the U.S. military in favour of partnering with Russia in a major setback for Washington. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General C.Q. Brown, told reporters before landing in Botswana on Monday for a gathering of African Chiefs of Defense, that he was going to speak with several partners in the region. �I do…

Terrorist fighters from Sahel have�crossed�Benin border into Kainji National Park -� Report

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 Aminu Imam

A new report says there is ample evidence that terrorist fighters from the Sahel region have crossed into Nigeria through the Benin Republic border. The report was released on Wednesday by a Dutch think-tank, the Clingendael Institute which has done extensive research in the Sahel. The Sahel region has seen a surge in terrorist attacks and extremism, particularly in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic. The tri-border region in these countries has been particularly affected, with terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State expanding their…

�Coups in W/Africa may engulf Africa if allowed to fester’ � Tuggar

December 22, 2023December 22, 2023 Aminu Imam

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has expressed fear over the increasing coups in West Africa, saying �it could snowball into engulfing the entire African continent�. This was contained in an issued statement sent by the Special Assistant, Media and Communications Strategy to the minister, Al-?asim Abdul?adir, yesterday in Abuja. According to the statement, Tuggar expressed his concern at the 10th Annual High-level Seminar on the Promotion of Peace and Security in Africa in Algeria. He warned against describing the unconstitutional change in government in West Africa as solely…

ECOWAS Summit: President Tinubu advocates good governance to counter coups in West Africa

December 11, 2023December 11, 2023 Aminu Imam

Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, implored West African leaders to prioritise good governance and collective prosperity as an essential tool to prevent authoritarian takeovers of power and unconstitutional changes of government in the region. Addressing the high-powered regional gathering at the 64th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the President identified good governance as a key catalyst to secure popular support through the socio-economic transformation and development of…

�Coups, Democratic Reversal: Citizens tired of voting, not seeing results� – West African elders

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023 Aminu Imam

The West African Elders Forum, (WAEF), has urged African leaders to respect constitutions and put citizens� welfare, peace, and security at the centre of governance. According to a statement by the forum’s Communication Officer of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Wealth Ominabo, the forum gave the advice during a webinar, themed: �Making meaning of democratic reversals in West Africa�. Eight countries in West and Central Africa have witnessed coups in three years, with Gabon being the most recent. The Forum examined the challenges to democratic governance in the region and how…

At least 18 people killed as 2 buses collide in Ghana

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

At least 18 people were killed when two buses collided on an expressway in northern Ghana, the Police said on Wednesday. Some 45 others were injured in the accident near Sawaba town in Central Gonja District, the Regional Police spokesman, Owusu Agyekum, said. Initial investigations into the cause of the accident indicated that one of the drivers might have fallen asleep at the wheel, according to Agyekum. Traffic accidents are common in the West African nation and are often caused by poor infrastructure, lack of vehicle maintenance or reckless driving.