First Independent Mena Newspaper
Mali’s military leader and interim president, Assimi Goita, had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday about the escalating situation in Niger, amid growing concerns in the West that Africa’s latest coup undermines its influence while presenting an opportunity to expand Russia’s presence in the West African region. The Kremlin said Mali’s […]
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali — or MINUSMA — said in a statement on Sunday (13 August) that it has sped up its withdrawal from the city of Ber in the north of the country due to “the degradation of security,” which had made its departure urgent. During the operation, three of UN […]
Mali’s Foreign ministry announced Wednesday August 9 decision by authorities to suspend indefinitely issuance of visa to French nationals after the European country also made similar decision and classified the West African country “red zone” on the grounds of “strong regional tensions.” France’s embassy in Mali’s capital Bamako has closed its visa center and indicated […]
Elected Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has called on “the US government and the entire international community to help us restore our constitutional order,” as the newly installed junta announced they were scrapping military pacts with France and warned to respond ‘immediately’ to any ‘aggression’ by the West Africa bloc. In a column entitled ‘My Country […]
Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the name of the junta in power in Niger since July 26, appointed Wednesday a cabinet that encompasses civilians and military officers under the nose of regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Gen. Salifou Modi, Bazoum’s former […]
France began Tuesday August 1 evacuating hundreds of French and European citizens from Niger a few days after a junta overthrew West-backed President Mohamed Bazoum and amid call for pullout of all foreign forces in the poor West African country. The first of three flights to evacuate French and European citizens from Niger took in […]
Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea dealt a blow to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after they threw their support behind the junta in power in Niger despite the regional community’s threat for military intervention if deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum is not restored. A group of soldiers seized power in Niger Wednesday July […]
Burkina Faso Thursday July 27 expressed keenness for closer cooperation with neighboring Niger, a day after the army deposed elected leader Mohamed Bazoum. “Niger is a sister country, and the people of Niger are brothers of the people of Burkina Faso. In this respect, it is obvious that any situation that may concern Niger affects […]
Benin has secured an 80 million euros loan facility from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to improve and expand Cotonou harbor, one of the main maritime access points for landlocked countries in West Africa. The loan is split into two: €55 million from the African Development Bank and €25 million from Africa Growing Together Fund, […]
Mali’s military-led government is in talks with gold miners, aiming to negotiate an increase in its mining stake from 20% to 35%, to ensure a fair share of profits. The government is discussing with gold miners the proposed changes to its mining law that could increase state and private Malian interests in new projects by […]