Why we lifted sanctions on Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso- ECOWAS – Newstrends
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Why we lifted sanctions on Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso- ECOWAS

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Why we lifted sanctions on Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso- ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African State​s (ECOWAS) says the decision to lift sanctions on Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso was based on the need to maintain regional unity and security.

D​r Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission said this at the end of the extraordinary session of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on Saturday in Abuja.

He said that the authority took note of the period of Lent and the approaching month of Ramadan and the impact on citizens, adding that pleas were also received from prominent leaders including retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

”The authority takes note that the withdrawal will have political, social, socio economic, financial and institutional implications for the three countries as well as for ECOWAS as a region.

”The authority recall​s that within the framework of regional cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime, the three countries benefited from about 100 million US dollars mobilised by UMR within the context of ECOWAS plan of action against terrorism.

”Moreover, some funds allocation, about 7.5 million U.S. dollars is being made towards supporting the three countries in acquiring the equipment to help their fight against terrorism.

”The withdrawal will affect security cooperation in terms of sharing intelligence and participation in regional counterterrorism initiatives.
”Such as the Accra initiative, and the Multinational Joint Task Force,’‘ he said.

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Touray added that the withdrawal of the countries from the sub-regional bloc would lead to diplomatic and political isolation at the international scene where the countries have obtained support for their candidates in the contest for international positions.

”The authority recognises that the withdrawal will automatically affect the immigration status of the citizens, as they may be required to obtain visas to travel around the region.

”Citizens may no longer be able to reside or set up businesses under ECOWAS arrangement and may be subject to diverse national laws.
The three countries will cease to use ECOWAS passports across biometric national identity cards, and the brown card vehicle insurance.

”The authority recognises that the three member states represent 17.4
per cent of the region’s 425 million population.
Even though they represent 10% of the region’s GDP, their departure will constitute a reduction of the market size of ​ECOWAS.

He said that the ​sanctions w​ere lifted to promote trade and benefits derived from​ several regional projects and programmes including the Regional Food Security Reserve.

”The regional support programme for powerful pastoralism in the Sahel, which is being funded by the World Bank to the tune of 215 million US dollars is also a project that benefits the three countries.

”The three countries also benefit from the Sahel regional irrigation support programme, which is being funded by the World Bank to the tune of 103 million US dollars.

”The three regional food systems resilient support programme in the amount of 230 million, funded by the World Bank is also benefiting the three countries.

”West African single identity and regional integration and inclusion project is another programme that the three countries benefit from.”

​He said that other projects the countries benefits from are the ECOWAS regional electricity market, West African Power Pool project, which links member states to a regional electricity grid for improved access to electricity.

He said not lifting the sanction would result in the halt or the suspension of all ECOWAS projects and programmes worth more than 500 million US dollars.

Touray said that the projects collectively valued at approximately 321.6 million U.S. dollars.

”Reviewing the implications at the institutional level, the authority notes that the withdrawal will not only require the closure of four regional entities in Burkina Faso, two regional bodies in Mali and one regional office in Asia.

”It will also affect the job security of some 130 ECOWAS staff who are citizens of the three countries. Currently 77 staff members are from Burkina Faso, 23 are from Mali, and 32 are from Niger.

Why we lifted sanctions on Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso- ECOWAS

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Ghana President Akufo-Addo’s address disrupted as ADC collapses (Video)

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Ghana President Akufo-Addo’s address disrupted as ADC collapses (Video)

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s last State of the Nation address in Parliament on Friday was interrupted when his aide-de-camp (ADC) collapsed.

In a viral video, the ADC, identified by Ghana Web as Colonel Isaac Amponsah, fell midway into Mr Akufo-Addo’s address before the Ghana parliament

Before he collapsed, Mr Amposah showed discomfort but could not help himself from falling to the ground.

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The incident briefly interrupted the President’s address but he resumed his presentation after a few minutes, after the ADC was carried to a corner of the auditorium for medical attention.

The aide-de-camp of the Vice President, a police officer immediately took over to stand behind the president.

As at the thime of this report, the cause of Amponsah’s collapsed is yet to be ascertained.

Ghana President Akufo-Addo’s address disrupted as ADC collapses (Video)

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Panic as huge space object crashes into Kenyan village

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Panic as huge space object crashes into Kenyan village

A massive, fiery object fell from the sky into a remote village in Kenya on Monday afternoon, causing alarm among locals and prompting an immediate investigation by the Kenya Space Agency (KSA).

The KSA confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the object was a fragment of a space object. The debris, described as a metallic ring, landed in the village of Mukuku in Makueni County. Measuring approximately 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) in diameter and weighing 500 kilograms (about 1,100 pounds), the object has been taken into custody by the agency.

“The Agency wishes to clarify that the object, a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kg, is a fragment of a space object,” the KSA stated.

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Preliminary analysis suggests the object could be a separation ring from a rocket, according to the agency. It noted that such space debris typically burns up in the atmosphere or falls into the ocean.

This incident highlights the increasing congestion of Earth’s orbit, with satellites and other objects creating challenges for managing space debris.

Julius Rotich, Mbooni Sub County Police Commander, told the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation that the object was still hot when officers arrived. Residents were kept at a safe distance until the debris cooled.

The broadcaster aired footage of the object, showing it entangled in trees and surrounded by police tape, as curious villagers looked on.

The KSA is continuing its investigation to determine the origin of the debris. While the agency suggests this is an isolated incident, it underscores the growing risks associated with falling space objects.

 

Panic as huge space object crashes into Kenyan village

CNN

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Niger’s president faces fire at home over attack on Nigeria

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General Abdourahamane Tiani

Niger’s president faces fire at home over attack on Nigeria

Niger’s President Abdourahmane Tchiani is facing a backlash of criticism from his fellow countrymen following his recent allegation of a conspiracy by Nigeria against his country.

Tchiani in a Christmas Day interview claimed, among other things, that Nigeria had provided a base for French soldiers near Lake Chad had established training camps for terrorists in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states, all aimed at destabilising Niger.

The Federal Government has dismissed the allegations as baseless, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, being the latest government official to debunk the claims.

Many Nigerien citizens reacting on social media to Tchiani’s claims against Nigeria say there is no credibility whatsoever in the allegations.

Some of them are of the view that the Nigerien leader was only looking for an excuse to hang his failure in office on after 17months of ousting his predecessor, Mohamed Bazoum, in a palace coup.

One Nigerien critic even alleged that loyalists of the Niamey military regime are under instruction to spread falsehood that France in collaboration with Nigeria and other neighbouring countries plans to invade Niger.

A Nigerien commentator, Maidalili Namu, spoke of alleged frustration of the Tchiani regime to stabilise the country as they promised to do after deposing Bazoum.

Namu claimed on Muduba Mugani podcast that the country is being ruined by those he branded 16 generals.

“You have been in power for 17 months, confined to the villa and fed with false information that clouds your judgment,” PR Nigeria quoted Namu as saying of Tchiani in a video recording.

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Namu also accused the Nigerien strongman of fostering animosity both regionally and internationally, sowing seeds of discord with Niger’s neighbors and other nations.

He said: “When it was announced that you would address the nation at 8 pm on December 25, 2024, in Hausa, Zabarma and French, the prevailing rumour was that your speech would lack originality, filled only with the usual condemnation of France, ECOWAS, Nigeria and others as our adversaries.

 “Some even wagered that they would give goats or cash if you didn’t mention France in your address.

“Nigeriens are fed up with your repetitive statements that yield no progress.

“What is most frustrating is that you vindicated their predictions. Some even began to tally how many times you mentioned France, Nigeria and ECOWAS, suggesting they are conspiring to destabilise Niger.

“You have accused numerous countries, both within and outside Africa, of undermining Niger, leading some to question your mental fitness for leadership.

“Your diplomatic failures are evident. You have insulted numerous leaders from various countries, implicating at least 20 nations in a conspiracy against Niger, many of whom we have no direct relations with.

“The real issues affecting Nigeriens—economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, fuel scarcity and the rising cost of living—were overlooked.

 “Instead, we heard the same old narrative of external threats and unfounded claims of terrorist camps supervised by the French.

“You asserted that camps have been established for training terrorists in Burkina Faso and Niger—concluding that by the end of 2024, at least 400 terrorists will be trained under French supervision.

“If you possess accurate information about these camps, why do you not coordinate efforts to dismantle them instead of using this information merely as a talking point?

“You must recognise that none of the leaders you’ve insulted have retaliated; you have disparaged leaders from countries like Tanzania, Mauritania, Chad and others. If your assertions hold any truth, how can we possibly survive more than 24 hours amidst the threats you mention?

Niger’s president faces fire at home over attack on Nigeria

THE NATION

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