First Independent Mena Newspaper
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 […]
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 […]
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 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” […]
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 […]
Niger’s new authorities who took power late July in a coup are planning to try deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum for treason amid international calls to release the 63-year old man. “The Nigerien government has gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed President and his local and foreign accomplices before national and international bodies for […]
Talks between a delegation of senior Nigerian Islamic scholars and the Niger’s coup leaders in Niamey have been “constructive” and the latter are open to diplomacy to resolve a standoff with West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, the Nigerian religious leaders said on Sunday (13 August). In a sign the ECOWAS bloc is still pushing for […]
Leaders from West African bloc ECOWAS will meet on Thursday August 10 for an emergency Summit on the coup in Niger after the military intervention threat becomes weak and amid support from Russia for peaceful resolution of the crisis. Nigeria-led ECOWAS on July 30 gave August 6 deadline for the junta in Niger to restore […]
The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the new leadership in Niger, appointed Monday former Finance Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine as the country’s transitional Prime Minister. Zeine served as Finance minister under Mamadou Tandja, who led the country from 1999 to 2010 after return to civilian rule. The 58-year-old politician and […]
Niger’s coup leaders have closed the country’s airspace, thus further escalating regional tensions after the coup two weeks ago, but support for ECOWAS military intervention to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum seems to be waning, revealing differences of opinion among the 15 West African member states on how to proceed. Niger’s airspace has been closed […]