2 associates of Benin’s president sentenced to 20 years in prison for coup plot
Two associates of Benin’s president have been sentenced to 20 years in prison, following their arrest last year on suspicion of plotting a coup in the small West African Country. Olivier Boko, a businessman and longtime friend of President Patrice Talon, and Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, were found guilty of “conspiracy against state security” and “corruption […]
Thousands of Nigerian children detained in Kano over ‘security threat’
Thousands of children in the northern Nigerian city of Kano are struggling to survive on the streets. The state’s religious police have launched a campaign to remove them, saying they’re a security threat. Read more… Source: Aljazeera
Burkina Faso issues first AES passport amid regional changes
In Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré made history as the first person to receive the newly introduced AES passport, just days after Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali celebrated their official exit from the West African Economic and Monetary Union (ECOWAS). This symbolic moment comes at a time of significant political and economic shifts in the […]
AES ECOWAS EXIT: Enhance Negotiations and Dialogue in the Interest of Regional Co-operation, Peace and Security
On January 29, 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger signed the Liptako-Gourma Charter, creating the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES). The move to sever ties with ECOWAS, as an established framework, stemmed from some concerns expressed by the AES. These include sanctions imposed by ECOWAS in response to the coups, accusations that foreign powers […]
Nigeria: In 2024, Nigeria’s Human Rights Commitment, Rule of Law Faltered
The year put Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values respect for human rights, the rule of law, and press freedom to test. With growing economic pressures resulting from high inflation and widespread hardships that characterized 2024 for millions of Nigerians, the country’s commitment to democratic values –respect for human rights, the rule of law, and press […]
Nigerian man Extradited to US for Alleged Sextortion
A Nigerian man has been extradited to the US to face prosecution over alleged sextortion of a minor, which led to the victim’s death.Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, 24, from Nigeria’s Osun state was flown to the US on Saturday after an agreement was reportedly reached with the Nigerian government that he would not be sentenced to […]
Obi: I’m Not Interested in Any Coalition For The Purpose of Taking Power
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023, Peter Obi, has said he was not interested in any coalition with the aim of grabbing power ahead of the 2027 elections. There had been meetings and political realignment among former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate of the New Nigeria […]
Tuggar: Exit of AES Countries Will Have Far-reaching Consequences for West Africa’s Security, Economy, Integration Efforts
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has warned that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will have far-reaching consequences for regional security, economy, and integration efforts. The minister in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, AlKasim AbdulKadir noted that the exit […]
West Africa Bloc Announces Formal Exit of Three Junta-led States
The military governments of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The formal withdrawal was announced by the Nigeria-based regional bloc in a statement on Wednesday. Amid a series of coups, struggles with Muslim armed groups, and competition between Russia and the West for influence in […]
Mahama calls for peace, youth empowerment, and trade reforms to shape Africa’s Future
President, John Dramani Mahama, has emphasized the need for Africa to prioritize peace, youth empowerment, and trade during his address at the African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms meeting in Kenya on Tuesday, January 27, 2025. Speaking to a gathering of African leaders, Mr. Mahama stressed that without peace, development in Africa would remain a challenge. He called […]