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Niger: We’re more likely to use force — ECOWAS

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3 years ago

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Niger: We’re more likely to use force — ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States has said it was more likely to use military force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.

This will be if the military junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, was bent on his three-year transition plan.

Fielding questions on Channels Television’s breakfast programme: “Sunrise Daily,” ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, also dismissed insinuations that ECOWAS was acting under the influence of a foreign power.

He explained that the community’s chances of using military force to restore constitutional order in Niger were very likely.

Musah said: “Right from the 1960s, I have never seen a coup that has not enjoyed continuous support from the people.

“The support can be engineered; you can rent crowds; that does not imply that people are unconcerned about their future.

“The high level of youth unemployment is a factor; mismanagement of our resources is a factor.

“But is the military a better sort of governance of our economy?

“Empirical data in our region never demonstrate that.

“So is that the right way to go about trying to change the system?

“A few years ago, you could not even talk of an incumbent president being defeated in an election.

“Since about 1992, we have seen alternations of power where sitting presidents were defeated and where ruling parties were defeated, whether in Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, or even Liberia.

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“So there’s already progress.”

On the plan by ECOWAS to pragmatically restore peace to Niger after the crisis, he said: “What plans does the coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani have for the country?

“They are now embarking on a blind experiment, saying they are going to have a three-year transition, they are going to consult people, so they themselves came without a plan.

“Now that they have overthrown a democratically elected government, they are thinking about alternatives.

“We have seen that where coups have occurred, we have not seen any major alternative better to save the population the military claim to save in those countries.

“So before the coup, ECOWAS had identified the cascading terrorism moving from Burkina Faso to coastal countries as an existential trend that threatened the livelihood of West African citizens and was an impediment to economic development.

“Let’s first remove that obstacle and put in place a regional plan for governance, which is already there.

“So there are rules and engagement for developing the country through regional and economic integration and increasing intra- and West African trade.

“All these are there, but they take time to bear fruit, and the military is not an alternative.

“We are just talking about West Africa as if it were an island.

“All these challenges we are talking about are global.

“Even in most advanced countries, ordinary people are suffering, and they have not chosen to take part in overthrowing their governments.

“So why here?

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“The inflation in the US, UK and other parts of Africa is not better than what we are seeing in West Africa today.

“In terms of ECOWAS reinstating constitutional order, it starts with consultation with all the active forces in the country, including political parties, the labour movement, and civil society organisations, they all have a say in it.

“So at the regional level, ECOWAS is already in the process of developing the economic and social council, which is the interface between civil society and policymaking in the region.

“The main driving slogan of ECOWAS is transforming the region from an ECOWAS of states, driven by the decisions of heads of state to an ECOWAS of the people.

“The process is ongoing.”

Asked on a scale of one to 10 how likely ECOWAS would deploy force in Niger, Ambassador Musah said: “Personally, my wish is that it should be at zero, but I think given the posture of the regime, I will put it at seven because if they continue to frustrate the non-violent proposal to reinstate constitutional order and then give an unacceptable timetable for return to constitutional order, they make the use of force more likely.

“At least, they have come forward to say they have an intention to return the country to constitutional order, but ECOWAS does not agree with the time frame, so even that agreement in principle is a move forward by the junta, but we will continue to consult to know the minimum, which would be the decisions by the authority of heads of state.”

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Asked if ECOWAS was fixated on reinstating President Mohamed Bazoum, he said: “ECOWAS is asking for the release of Bazoum and his reinstatement.

“So we are calling on the junta to be reasonable because the three years they are talking about are nothing less than a provocation to the ECOWAS community.”

ECOWAS denies influence of ‘foreign power

Ambassador Musah also disproved claims of manipulation of external powers in its efforts to resolve the political instability in Niger Republic.

While noting that foreign support was not part of the consideration of the West African body, he said: “We’ve never discussed our plans with any foreign power, whether they are on the ground, they are in the air, they are in their countries – ECOWAS is taking an independent autonomous decision.”

He noted that ECOWAS had not given any consideration to the complexities of the nationals and multinationals who had given a foot on the ground.

Musah added: “I’m just coming from Accra where the chiefs of defence staff finalised their preparation for a potential military intervention in the country – foreign support was never part of the country at all.

“We are in with our contingent, own equipment, and our resources and we are not asking anybody for support, that is the position of ECOWAS.”

Vanguard News.

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Nike Faces Religious Backlash as Libya’s Grand Mufti Bans Muslims From Buying, Wearing Products

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39 minutes ago

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November 5, 2026

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Nike Faces Religious Backlash as Libya’s Grand Mufti Bans Muslims From Buying, Wearing Products
Nike Faces Religious Backlash as Libya’s Grand Mufti Bans Muslims From Buying, Wearing Products

Libya’s highest Islamic religious authority has issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslims from buying, selling or wearing Nike products, accusing the American sportswear company of promoting symbols associated with polytheism and supporting Israel.

The religious ruling, issued by Dar al-Ifta and approved by Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Sadiq al-Gharyani, has called on Muslims to avoid the global sportswear brand, citing concerns over the origins of its name, its iconic logo and the company’s alleged links to Israel.

The decision has drawn attention to the influence of religious authorities on consumer choices and the growing calls for boycotts of international companies over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to reports, the ruling, identified as Fatwa No. 6697, followed an inquiry seeking clarification on whether Muslims could wear clothing bearing the Nike name and logo.

In its response, the religious authority argued that the name Nike originated from the ancient Greek goddess of victory, while the company’s famous swoosh logo was inspired by the wings of the mythological figure.

The institution maintained that displaying the brand’s name and logo amounted to promoting symbols associated with the worship of multiple gods, which it considers incompatible with Islamic teachings.

It consequently declared the purchase, sale and wearing of Nike-branded products religiously impermissible, urging Muslims to avoid the company.

Dar al-Ifta also accused Nike of supporting Israel, linking its latest position to the wider campaign encouraging Muslims to boycott companies alleged to have connections with or support for Israel.

The authority referred to an earlier position adopted by its Council for Research and Sharia Studies on November 5, 2023, which called on Muslims to boycott Western companies considered supportive of Israel during the war in Gaza.

The council had urged Muslims to avoid purchasing non-essential products from companies identified as supporting Israel, particularly luxury goods and other items considered unnecessary.

The latest ruling therefore combines religious objections to Nike’s branding with the institution’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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However, the fatwa should not be confused with a government-imposed ban on Nike products in Libya. It represents a religious ruling by Dar al-Ifta and does not, by itself, establish a legally enforceable prohibition or specify criminal penalties for consumers and retailers.

Although Dar al-Ifta wields considerable religious influence in the country, its religious opinions are distinct from government regulations.

The latest decision is also not the first time the institution has raised religious objections to the branding of an international luxury company.

Dar al-Ifta previously issued a ruling against wearing jewellery and watches bearing the four-leaf clover design associated with French luxury brand Van Cleef & Arpels.

The institution argued that the design was connected with beliefs and practices it considered inconsistent with Islamic teachings.

The latest development comes amid wider debates over religious conservatism, consumer boycotts and the influence of Islamic authorities on public life in Libya.

It also reflects the continuing international controversy surrounding companies accused by activists and campaign groups of maintaining business relationships or taking positions perceived to support Israel.

Nike, one of the world’s biggest sportswear manufacturers, is known for its footwear, clothing and sporting equipment, with its swoosh logo recognised internationally.

The implications of the fatwa for Nike’s business activities and retail market in Libya remain unclear.

Nike Faces Religious Backlash as Libya’s Grand Mufti Bans Muslims From Buying, Wearing Products

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Midnight Horror : Woman Slaughters Husband, Two Children, Escapes Murder Conviction

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6 days ago

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October 30, 2026

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Midnight Horror : Woman Slaughters Husband, Two Children, Escapes Murder Conviction

A Zimbabwean woman who killed her husband and two young children after reportedly struggling with severe financial hardship has been acquitted of three murder charges by the High Court in Bulawayo following psychiatric findings that she was suffering from a mental disorder when the killings occurred.

The woman, identified as 34-year-old Happiness Chimbangu, appeared before Justice Donald Ndirowei over the deaths of her husband, Edwin Chimbangu, 35, their four-year-old son, Promise, and their seven-month-old daughter, Prudence.

However, the court ruled that she could not be held criminally responsible for the killings because of her mental condition at the time of the incident.

According to details presented before the court, the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of January 30, 2025, at the family’s residence in Cowdray Park, a suburb of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The court heard that Chimbangu had expressed suicidal thoughts the previous day, January 29, when she visited her mother’s residence at about 3pm and asked her to take care of her two children, saying she intended to end her life.

Her mother reportedly counselled her before she returned to her matrimonial home.

Concerned about her condition, her husband later contacted his mother-in-law at about 10pm, asking her to come to their residence because his wife was again displaying suicidal tendencies.

The woman’s mother subsequently arrived with a relative, while two church members, identified as Jethro Sibanda and Shepherd Ndlovu, also joined the family to counsel her.

The group reportedly spent several hours speaking with Chimbangu in an attempt to calm her down.

They eventually left shortly after midnight after believing that she had recovered and was no longer a danger to herself.

However, the situation reportedly took a devastating turn barely 10 minutes after they departed.

The court heard that at about 12.10am on January 30, Chimbangu realised that her husband and children had fallen asleep before picking up a metal digging tool, commonly described as a metal digger, inside the house.

She allegedly attacked her husband, striking him on the head and killing him instantly.

She subsequently attacked their four-year-old son, inflicting fatal injuries to his back, face and head, before turning on the seven-month-old baby girl and striking her on the face and head.

All three victims died in the attack.

The court further heard that at about 2am, Chimbangu went to her uncle and confessed that she had killed her husband and children.

Her uncle, identified as Moyo, reportedly took her to a police station and reported the incident, leading to her arrest.

Police officers who visited the residence recovered the bloodstained metal tool allegedly used in the attack.

Following her arrest, Chimbangu was referred for psychiatric evaluation at Mlondolozi High Security Prison in Bulawayo.

Medical examinations conducted by a doctor identified as Dr Chinova in February 2025, May 22, 2025, and September 30, 2025, reportedly established that she was suffering from a mental disorder.

Further court proceedings established that she had been suffering from schizoaffective disorder when she committed the offences and was mentally incapacitated to the extent that she could not be held criminally responsible for her actions.

Both the prosecution and defence reportedly agreed that she should receive a special verdict under Section 29 of Zimbabwe’s Mental Health Act.

Justice Ndirowei consequently found her not guilty of the three murder charges on account of her mental condition.

However, the ruling did not mean that she was immediately released from custody.

The judge ordered that Chimbangu remain at Mlondolozi for psychiatric treatment and continued management until she is certified mentally fit by a medical doctor.

 

The case has renewed attention on the importance of recognising and responding appropriately to severe mental health crises, particularly when individuals exhibit suicidal tendencies or other warning signs that could place themselves and members of their families at risk.

 

Midnight Horror : Woman Slaughters Husband, Two Children, Escapes Murder Conviction

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21 Dead, 40 Injured as Drone Hits Market in Sudan’s Darfur Region

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1 week ago

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October 27, 2026

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21 Dead, 40 Injured as Drone Hits Market in Sudan’s Darfur Region

21 Dead, 40 Injured as Drone Hits Market in Sudan’s Darfur Region

At least 21 people have been killed and more than 40 injured in a drone strike on a market in Nyala, a city in Sudan’s western Darfur region, as fighting between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues.

The attack occurred at about 8 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, in a market in northern Nyala, according to witnesses and a medical source at Nyala Hospital. The city serves as the de facto capital of the RSF-controlled areas in western Sudan.

A medic at Nyala Hospital confirmed the death toll and said more than 40 people had been wounded. However, the medic could not determine how many of those killed or injured were RSF fighters and how many were civilians.

A resident said the market was frequented by young men, including members of the paramilitary group. The identities of the victims and the intended target of the strike had not been independently established.

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The Sudanese military has regularly carried out airstrikes on Nyala, where the RSF has established a rival administration. However, responsibility for the latest market strike had not been independently confirmed.

The attack comes amid an intensification of drone warfare in Sudan, with unmanned aircraft increasingly being used in the conflict. Reports citing United Nations figures said drone attacks killed more than 300 people and injured hundreds more during the first three weeks of October.

The conflict between Sudan’s armed forces and the RSF began in April 2023 and has triggered widespread destruction, mass displacement and severe food shortages. Millions of people have been forced from their homes, while access to healthcare and other essential services has deteriorated in many parts of the country.

The latest strike adds to concerns over the safety of civilians in areas affected by the fighting, particularly markets and other public places where armed personnel and ordinary residents may be present.

Further information about the victims, the intended target and responsibility for the Nyala attack was not immediately available.

21 Dead, 40 Injured as Drone Hits Market in Sudan’s Darfur Region

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