Africa Features Headlines International

Niger junta frees 50 senior officials of deposed gov’t, ex-president remains in detention

Niger’s military junta, which took power in a coup in July 2023, has released around 50 individuals, including former government ministers and soldiers linked to past coup attempts, following recommendations from a national conference in February. Those freed include high-profile figures such as former oil minister Mahamane Sani Issoufou, ex-defense minister Kalla Moutari, and former […]

Africa Features Headlines International

Niger: Tchiani sworn in as transitional president, cementing his grip on power

Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of Niger’s military junta, has been officially sworn in as the Sahel country’s transitional president, marking the beginning of a five-year rule under a new charter that replaces the constitution. The ceremony took place in Niamey on Wednesday (26 March), and Tchiani, who led the July 2023 coup that ousted democratically […]

Africa Features Headlines International

Nigeria, Niger ink security cooperation deal aiming to rebuild frayed security ties

Nigeria’s military and the junta in neighboring Niger have signed a new security agreement that aims to bolster regional stability and security a year after their normally positive bilateral ties soured after Niger’s coup in July 2023. Despite strained relations and their shared border being closed as part of the sanctions imposed by the Economic […]

Africa Headlines International

Benin-Niger spat: China may try to mediate to access crude oil from ‘its’ pipeline

Benin-Niger spat: China may try to mediate to access crude oil from ‘its’ pipeline Tensions between Benin and Niger have escalated since the military coup in the latter in July 2023, with the borders between both countries remaining closed and with Benin preventing Niger from using its port to export its crude oil, mostly bound […]

Africa Headlines International

Niger: military coup reversed hard-won gains reached during democratic government — ACSS study

The military coup in Niger has reversed hard-earned gains in the previous decade under democratically elected governments, as it has impacted every sector of Nigerian society, demonstrating the centrality of governance to security, economic, and social outcomes, a new study by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) has found. The derailing of Niger’s constitutional […]

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US to pull out troops from key drone base in Niger amid Russia’s growing footprint in Sahel

The United States has agreed to withdraw its about 1,000 troops from Niger, where it built and operated a major drone base in the desert city of Agadez, in a move that effectively marks a new regional gain for Russia. Washington has accepted the call to pull out its troops from Nigeria and is committed […]

Africa Headlines International

Niger: military tribunal grants ‘provisional release’ to son of deposed president Bazoum

Salem Bazoum, the son of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been imprisoned with his parents at the presidential residence since the coup in July 2023, was provisionally released on Monday (8 January), the country’s military tribunal said in a statement. The military tribunal in Niamey granted the 23-year old son of the former president […]

Africa Headlines International

Niger’s military court grants bail to Bazoum’s son

Niger’s military court released Monday on bail Salem Mohamed, son of Niger’s deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum held since July 26 by a junta that has been running affairs in the West African country. The investigative judge of the court ordered Salem Mohamed released and instructed him to be available for justice in the event of […]

Africa Headlines International

Niger’s strongman announces national consultation for seamless transition

General Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of the junta-led power in Niger, announced Sunday plans to stage a national summit to chart out a roadmap for a transition in the West African country after deposing elected and Wes-backed leader Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. “The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland is committed to […]

Africa Headlines International

At ECOWAS summit, West African leaders set terms for lifting Niger sanctions

At a recent summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), regional leaders decided to keep sanctions imposed on Niger after a July military coup and said they would need to see progress towards a transition to civilian rule before easing the measures. The West African leaders met Sunday (10 December) for a […]