Category: African News

Nigerien authorities on Monday turned down a meeting request by a joint delegation from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to a memo seen by PREMIUM TIMES and signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Niger, the trio had jointly written to notify Niger authorities of the mission slated for today (Tuesday).

The Nigerien government said that based on ECOWAS sanction ordering member states to shut their border with Niger, “organisation of such a mission by special flight requires special consideration by the Niger authorities, including a special exemption which is not invoked in this note from the Resident Representation.”

According to the memo, the delegation was meant to arrive in Niamey on 8 August by a special flight chartered by the United Nations.

“While reiterating their readiness to engage in discussions with delegations or emissaries concerning the situation in Niger, as indicated to the mission led by the former President of Nigeria, GI (er) Abdulsalami Abubakar, the current context of anger and revolt of the populations following the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, does not allow to welcome the said delegation in the required serenity and security,” it said.

As a result of the above, the Niger authorities said, the postponement of the mission is necessary, as is the revision of certain aspects of the programme, including meetings with certain personalities which, it said, cannot take place for obvious security reasons, in this atmosphere of threatened aggression against Niger.

It requested the Resident Representation of ECOWAS in Niamey to kindly communicate its position to ECOWAS while assuring the sub-regional bloc of its highest consideration.

A three-person ECOWAS delegation led by former Nigerian military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, was not allowed to see the coup leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, or detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

Similarly, US Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on Monday visited Niamey but was also not allowed to meet Mr Tchiani.

Military option still on as Nigeria imposes more sanctions on putschists, supporters

The Nigerian government has imposed more financial sanctions on the coup plotters in neighbouring Niger and their backers, an official has said.

Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson of President Bola Tinubu, said Tuesday evening that the sanctions were in the aftermath of the deadline given to the coup plotters by ECOWAS.

“I can also report that following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the preexisting consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta in Niger Republic by the bloc of ECOWAS Heads of State, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an additional slew of financial sanctions through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on entities and individuals related to or involved with the military junta in Niger Republic,” Mr Ngelale told journalists in Abuja.

He also said ECOWAS had not taken off the option of military action in Niger and would discuss its options at Thursday’s meeting in Abuja.

Mr Tinubu, the current chairperson of the ECOWAS heads of governments, has led the regional body to condemn the coup in Niger and demand a return to democracy and the release of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

An ECOWAS ultimatum for the return to democracy ended Sunday with the coup plotters remaining defiant.

Premium Times

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), would Thursday, hold an extraordinary summit on the political situation in the Republic of Niger.

The summit billed to hold in Abuja is sequel to an earlier summit held on July 30, in which the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government gave a seven-day ultimatum to the military junta to release President Bazoum and reinstate his government.

Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by members of the Presidential Guard and the armed forces led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

Following the putsch, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, convened an extraordinary summit. At the end, it amongst others, ECOWAS, a regional political and economic union of 15 countries located had threatened to restore order in Niger by force if the military junta did not vacate office within seven days.

•Focus on Nigeria’s problems – MBF

Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has cautioned President Tinubu against interference in Niger in the quest to restore democracy.

National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Dr. Isuwa Dogo, in a statement charged Tinubu to focus his energy in addressing “the monsters of insecurity shredding Nigeria, including addressing the harsh economic sufferings unleashed on the masses of the country following the withdrawal of fuel subsidies rather than chagring to war with Niger Republic.

Dogo stated that caution and statesmanship should be employed in dealing with insurrection in Niger because of the cultural, social, and religious affinity between the country and Nigerian states that share borders with it.

“Understanding the dynamics and intricate relationship between Niger Republic and Nigerian states that share borders; should serve as lessons in avoiding any form of warfare. With the coup in Niger Republic attracting sympathy from Nigeriens masses over the sacking of the democratically elected leadership, caution should be exercised.

“As it stands, Nigeria should never allow itself to plunge into an avoidable war.”

He urged African leaders to enthrone good governance in their respective countries as such is the best way to discourage coups.

“Leadership is founded on moral high ground. The best medicine against coups is enthronement of justice and equity for all. For ambitious military officers to be discouraged from staging coups, democracy must be cleansed of rogue leaders thrown up by flawed electoral processes.

“The lesson of the coup should not be lost on leaders who deployed underhand dealings to assume the mantle of leadership through compromising the electoral process,” he said.

•Ochulor: It’ll be useless venture

Former military sole administrator of Delta State, Air commodore Luke Ochulor (retd) also cautioned against waging a war against the coup plotters in Niger.

The war tactician believe the country would be making its greatest mistake if its military is allowed to embark on the mission to Niger.

Moreover, he said Nigeria has numerous problems to deal with and going to war in such a situation would be a useless venture and counterproductive.

“And anybody who takes such a journey now will regret it. There’s no need for it. We have more problems in our hands than going to fight in Niger. There’s no need for such a fight. It would be unwise.

“No country with the type of problem we have will engage in inter-territorial activities, we have more problems we can handle here. Insecurity and hunger are worrying Nigerian. A country with the type of problem we have will not think of quarrelling with anybody let alone going to war. Tinubu should remember that war does not pay anybody.”

•Mali, Burkina Faso send delegation

As the Tinubu-led ECOWAS leaders mull the next line of action following the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum, Mali and Burkina Faso has sent a joint delegation to Niamey in a show of solidarity.

“Burkina Faso and Mali are sending a delegation to Niamey to show the solidarity of the two countries with the brotherly people of Niger,” the army tweeted.

The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali, which were established after the military took power by force in 2020 and 2022 in the two countries, also declared their support for the Nigerien soldiers who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum

The two countries also warned that any military intervention in Niger would be considered as a declaration of war against them and would lead to the withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS.

Sun

Niger’s military rulers announced Sunday that they had closed the country’s airspace, warning that any attempt to violate it would meet with an “energetic and immediate response”.

“Faced with the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday… for all aircraft until further notice,” the country’s new rulers said in a statement.

The announcement came as the deadline from the West African bloc ECOWAS for them to hand back power to the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was due to expire.

ECOWAS last Sunday issued Niger’s new military rulers with an ultimatum to stand down within the week or face possible military intervention.

Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 when members of his own guard detained him at the presidency.

AFP

The Federal Government said the use of force would be the last resort should the coup plotters in Niger Republic refuse to surrender.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa, stated this on Friday at a briefing session on the current political situation in Niger Republic and the ECOWAS sub-region, organised by the ministry for the diplomatic corps.

On July 26, 2023, the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was illegally detained by the military coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

On July 30, 2023, ECOWAS, led by its Chairman and Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, decided on sanctions against the coupists in Niger who toppled Bazoum last week.

In addition to a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order and the suspension of financial transactions with Niger, ECOWAS decreed the freezing of “all service transactions, including energy transactions.”

ECOWAS on Thursday sent a three-man delegation to Niger to resolve the current impasse in the country.

Speaking at the event, Lamuwa expressed worries that should the coup subsist, it might stain ECOWAS’ reputation.

He explained, “No doubt, the developments in Niger, like Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea have raised serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in the region.

“There is concern that the success of the coup in Niger would significantly dampen ECOWAS’ reputation, especially if the country joins the ranks of others that are governed by unconstitutional leaders, such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.”

He however noted that the “use of force is the last resort and we hope we do not get there.”

Punch

The World Bank grants Somalia a $75 million fund to support its path to debt relief.

The grant is the second in a series of loans aiding the nation’s eligibility for complete debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

Somalia enacts crucial legislation and implements ambitious reform programs, signaling progress in institution-building and economic development, and paving the way for a more stable and sustainable future.

The World Bank said on Monday that it has given Somalia a 75 million dollar grant to assist the nation in getting closer to debt relief.

The fund, according to the international lender, is the second in a series of two loans that are assisting the nation in moving closer to becoming eligible for complete and permanent debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

In line with the ninth National Development Plan, which outlines numerous priority areas for moving the country forward and some of which are supported by this Development Policy Financing (DPF), it was stated that the government is putting into action an ambitious reform program to create institutions, draw investments, and achieve inclusive economic growth and job creation.

According to a statement from Kristina Svensson, the World Bank’s country manager for Somalia, the DPF supports the government’s efforts to provide the groundwork for a modern economy with improved institutions.

“It also signals the significant progress Somalia has made in terms of institution-building and economic development, paving the way for a more stable and sustainable future,” Svensson continued.

The World Bank notes that Somalia has enacted new legislation that creates the institutional framework necessary for developing high-potential economic development sectors in critical industries including energy and fisheries.

A new investor protection and investment law was passed to help these industries raise the vital private money they require to grow. “Despite multiple shocks, Somalia is maintaining macroeconomic stability. These institution-building reforms take Somalia closer toward the goal of attaining debt relief, which will wipe away the legacy of loans contracted during the pre-civil war era, thereby turning a new page in the country’s development trajectory,” the global lender noted.

Along with data privacy legislation that offers protections on the use of personal data to assist in boosting access to financing, a digital identity law that can promote stronger know-your-customer standards was also enacted, according to the World Bank.

The DPF, in accordance with the World Bank, supports the fundamentals of unified customs regimes throughout Somalia, which may foster collaboration, boost commerce, improve revenues, and streamline procedures for the private sector.

Business Insider

Some cities in Niger Republic are experiencing rolling blackouts as a result of the country’s coup last week.

The power is only on for roughly an hour at a period for residents of the cities of Niamey, Maradi, and Zinder before being shut off for up to five hours.

Power outages like these in Niger are uncommon, however, the nation is highly reliant on Nigeria as its primary source of electricity. According to Nigelec, the electricity organizations of Niger, the power cuts are the result of Nigeria halting supply to its northern neighbour.

However, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has declined to comment on the power cuts in Niger.

But a BBC source said the supply to Niger was cut on Tuesday following directive from Nigeria’s presidency.

Sanctions have been placed on Niger by West African trading bloc ECOWAS as a result of the coup , but it is unclear if these measures cover electrical supplies.

The democratically elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was deposed by his own presidential guards who were stationed outside his palace last week.

Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of the presidential guard, was appointed president while the constitution was suspended.

Arise News

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the “immediate release and reinstatement” of Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held by the military since Wednesday.

“In the event the authorities’ demands are not met within one week (ECOWAS will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force,” the bloc said in a joint statement after its emergency summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

“For this effect, the chiefs of defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.”

ECOWAS announced the “suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger”, which is part of the bloc, as well as halting energy transactions.

It said it was freezing Niger’s assets in ECOWAS central and commercial banks and imposing a “travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt”.

“The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials,” said the statement, which was read out at the end of the crisis meeting by Nigerian president and ECOWAS chairman Bola Tinubu.

Channels TV

The military command of Niger announced on Thursday that it supported the coup that was started on Wednesday by members of the presidential guard, stating that maintaining national stability was its top concern.

According to a press release from the army chief of staff, the army needed to “preserve the physical integrity” of the president and his family and prevent “a deadly confrontation that could create a bloodbath and affect the security of the population.”

As western sources said the status of the coup attempt was unknown, President Mohamed Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou earlier encouraged democratic forces in the country to rebuff the effort at a takeover.

The soldiers said in a latenight televised address that Bazoum had been removed from office and the republic’s institutions suspended, indicating the seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020.

They earlier cut off the presidential palace in the capital Niamey, with the president inside.

Bazoum pledged to defend “hard-won” democratic advancements in a nation that serves as a key partner for Western forces fighting an insurgency in the Sahel area in a social media post on Thursday morning.

According to a post on X, the website that replaced Twitter, Massoudou also urged “democrats and patriots” to prevent the “attempted coup” from succeeding.

It was reported that there was no proof on the ground that the military forces backed the coup attempt, despite Massoudou’s claim that not all of the army was participating in it.

Arise News