Africa International

Benin’s Patrice Talon to visit Algeria to boost ties

Patrice Talon, the President of Benin, is expected in Algeria for a State visit in view of boosting ties with the North African country, the Algerian Foreign ministry has announced. The ministry said the invitation came from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. “The visit aims to open a new era of bilateral relations between the two countries,” […]

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EU planning new military-civilian operation mission in West Africa — report

Despite setbacks from military coups in Mali and Niger, the European Union is planning to launch a new military-civilian mission in Africa in the fall, whose aim is to prevent instability triggered by jihadi groups, a German newspaper has reported. EU member states have agreed to launch the mission in the Gulf of Guinea in […]

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Niger declares French ambassador persona non grata; refutes similar measures against German, Nigerian, US envoys

The new Nigerien government has declared the French ambassador persona non grata and issued him an ultimatum to leave the country within 48 hours. In a statement released on Friday, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs revealed that the decision to expel French Ambassador Sylvain Itte was prompted by a series of perceived provocations by the […]

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Niger gives Mali, Burkina Faso permit to intervene in event of ECOWAS military operation

Niger, led by a junta, Thursday August 24 indicated that Mali and Burkina Faso can intervene military on its soil should the country be confronted by any aggression in the backdrop of a possible military action by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to restore deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum. Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi, the […]

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Loss by France of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is official end of Françafrique – Ex Austrian top diplomat

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl has argued that Françafrique is over after France lost Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger where leaders have turned to Russia, China and Turkey. Kneissl, who had been in office from 2017 to 2019, said African countries have more opportunities on the continent and can choose whom to cooperate with. […]

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U.S confirms appointment of new Ambassador to Niger

The U.S. State Department has confirmed the appointment of Kathleen FitzGibbon as Washington’s new envoy to Niger now led by a junta that toppled on July 26 west-backed leader Mohamed Bazoum. Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesman of the State Department confirmed FitzGibbon’s appointment arguing that she is going there to lead the mission during a […]

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AU, ECOWAS at odds over Niger intervention as ECOWAS military chiefs meet in Ghana

As West African military chiefs are set to meet Thursday (17 August) in Ghana to coordinate a possible intervention aimed at reversing Niger’s coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) appeared to disagree on whether a military action should be on the table in the first place. Alarmed […]

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Putin, Mali’s Goita discuss Niger crisis amid Western fears of growing Russian influence in Sahel

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 […]

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Niger recalls ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire for consultation

The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the junta in power in Niger, recalled Monday August 14 the country’s Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire in reaction to the Ivorian leader’s push for military intervention to restore deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum. The decision followed recent remarks by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara that indicated his “eagerness” […]

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Niger: US, ECOWAS slam junta plan to prosecute president Bazoum for ‘high treason’

The United States have expressed great concern and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS condemned on Monday (14 August) Niger’s military rulers’ threats to prosecute detained President Mohamed Bazoum, warning the move would exacerbate tensions. “We are incredibly dismayed by reports that President Bazoum’s unjust detention has gone even a step further,” State Department spokesman […]