Niger’s new military rulers on Wednesday accused France, the country’s traditional ally, of releasing captured jihadists and breaching a ban on air space on the eve of a key summit on the Sahel’s latest crisis.Leaders of the West African bloc ECOWAS are to meet in the Nigerian capital Abuja to weigh their options, with diplomacy …

Niger coup leaders take aim at France on eve of key summitThu, 10 Aug 2023 04:21:10 GMT Read More »

The United States on Wednesday accused Sudan of having threatened to expel the United Nations mission from the war-torn country if the UN envoy, already in Khartoum’s crosshairs, speaks before the Security Council on the atrocities of the conflict.During a session devoted to Sudan and South Sudan, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, whose country is chairing …

US accuses Sudan of threatening to expel UN missionWed, 09 Aug 2023 22:45:08 GMT Read More »

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday accused the World Bank of using money to try to “coerce” the government over its controversial anti-gay legislation.His comments followed an announcement by the US-based global lender on Tuesday that it was suspending new loans to the East African country over what are considered among the world’s harshest laws …

Uganda leader accuses World Bank of coercion after loan freezeWed, 09 Aug 2023 20:48:30 GMT Read More »

The Ethiopian government said Wednesday that major cities in the Amhara region had been “freed” after days of fighting between army troops and militia fighters.There has been no official toll from the unrest, but hospital doctors in two of the affected cities told AFP that many civilians had been killed or injured.Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s …

Ethiopia says Amhara cities ‘freed’ after days of fightingWed, 09 Aug 2023 17:36:13 GMT Read More »

Kenya’s government and the opposition launched fresh talks Wednesday aimed at resolving a bitter political feud following a spate of violent protests over the high cost of living and calls for electoral reforms.But even as the formal dialogue kicked off in Nairobi, both sides insisted there would no form of power-sharing to resolve the crisis in …

Kenya political rivals launch fresh talks after protestsWed, 09 Aug 2023 14:14:43 GMT Read More »

West African nations and the United States gave priority to diplomacy to end the crisis in coup-stricken Niger ahead of a regional summit on Thursday to consider options that include military intervention.The summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) takes place under the chairmanship of Nigeria, the regional superpower and advocate of …

Diplomacy centre-stage on eve of W.Africa summit on NigerWed, 09 Aug 2023 13:30:48 GMT Read More »

Ethiopian troops appeared to be pushing back militia fighters in two cities in the conflict-hit Amhara region, residents said Wednesday, after local authorities reported that “relative peace” was being restored.There has been no official casualty toll from the Amhara violence, but two hospital doctors told AFP that a number of civilians have died and many …

Ethiopia troops push back Amhara fighters: residentsWed, 09 Aug 2023 12:19:50 GMT Read More »

Two weeks after the coup in Niger, France has abandoned its tough tone on the crisis and is now inclining towards diplomatic solutions, with military action seemingly ruled out for now, experts said.West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS had given coup leaders a deadline of last Sunday to reinstate elected president Mohamed Bazoum, or face potential …

France softens tone on Niger coupWed, 09 Aug 2023 10:52:57 GMT Read More »

West African bloc ECOWAS, which meets Thursday after threatening to intervene in the Niger crisis, has become a key player in the management of regional conflicts.First set up in 1975 to promote economic development among its 15 members, it has since stepped in in conflicts from Sierra Leone to Mali.- 15 members -ECOWAS, based in the …

West African bloc ECOWAS: key factsWed, 09 Aug 2023 08:30:45 GMT Read More »

Coup-hit Niger’s neighbours have not ruled out military intervention, Nigeria’s president said, ahead of a West African coalition’s crisis summit in Abuja on Thursday.Bola Tinubu, who also chairs the bloc ECOWAS, still believes diplomacy is the “best way forward” to resolve the crisis, according to his spokesman.So far efforts by ECOWAS and the United States …

Nigeria says not ruling out force in Niger ahead of West African summitWed, 09 Aug 2023 05:55:29 GMT Read More »