The Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) has retired 12 generals and others in a move to reshuffle the military while Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has made changes to the Central African country’s Ministry of Defence. Both moves are coming in the wake of the Gabon coup, the latest in a series of military takeovers in Africa. A … [Read more…]
Military officers in Gabon declared they were seizing power from President Ali Bongo Ondimba in a stunning coup on Wednesday, threatening the family’s half-century rule over the central African nation. Men in army uniform appeared on national television to announce the president’s house arrest during the military takeover, prompting celebrations and reports of gunfire on … [Read more…]
A group of Gabonese officers and soldiers appeared on television Wednesday announcing they were “putting an end to the regime” and cancelling the results of a recent election. Here is a translation from French of the statement, which was read out by one of the officers on Gabon 24 television channel: “Our beautiful country, Gabon, … [Read more…]
A group of senior Gabonese military officers appeared on national television in the early hours of Wednesday and said they had taken power, after the state election body announced President Ali Bongo had won a third term. Appearing on television channel Gabon 24, the officers said they represented all security and defence forces in … [Read more…]
West Africa’s bloc ECOWAS on Friday told Niger’s coup leaders it was “not too late” to reconsider their position as they wrangle over a return to civilian rule with the option of military force still “very much on the table”. Generals who ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in a July 26 rebellion have called for a … [Read more…]
The African Union said Tuesday it had suspended Niger until civilian rule in the country is restored and would assess the implications of any armed intervention in the troubled Sahel nation. The Peace and Security Council “requests the AU Commission to undertake an assessment of the economic, social and security implications of deploying a standby … [Read more…]
The Economic Community of West African States has rejected the Niger junta’s objective for a transition of power presumably to a democratic government within three years. “Our ambition is not to confiscate power,” the Head of the military junta, General Abdourahamane Tiani said in a televised address. Any transition of power “would not go beyond three years”, … [Read more…]
The Chiefs of Defence Staff of member-states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have declared their readiness to intervene militarily to restore democratic order in Niger Republic if diplomatic measures fail. Rising from a meeting of the Defence Chiefs in Ghana on Thursday, the officers said they were ready to participate in … [Read more…]
Nigeriens have called for mass recruitment of volunteers to assist the army in the face of a growing threat by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS who insists on tighter sanctions and military invasion if the junta refuses to reinstate the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. The call for volunteers, spearhead by a group of locals … [Read more…]
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) continues to assess options to evolve in resolving the political impasse in Niger brought about by the dethronement of democratic rule by General Abdourahamane Tchiani led coup d’etat, regional military chiefs have set Thursday and Friday dates for further deliberations in Accra, Ghana. ECOWAS has said … [Read more…]
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) says the threats by the country’s military leaders to bring charges of treason against the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or kill him is not the best approach to adopt. Reacting to the announcement by Niger’s military-appointed Prime Minister, CNG, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said it … [Read more…]
Niger’s coup leaders that toppled Mohamed Bazoum said late Sunday they would “prosecute” the ousted president for “high treason” and “undermining the security” of the country. This is contained in a statement read out by a member of the junta on national television. “The Nigerien government has so far gathered… evidence to prosecute the deposed … [Read more…]