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The decision to initially prevent Nigerians with ECOWAS passports from entering Niger stems from the nation's recent withdrawal from the West African regional group known as ECOWAS. But why such a drastic move? It all circles back to the political tremors reverberating through the region. Niger's exit—occurring alongside fellow nations Mali and Burkina Faso—followed a trio of coups that placed military governments at their helm. Some attempts at negotiations fell flat, and eventually, their departure was solidified in…

Mogadishu (AX) — Picture the halls of power veiled in silence, a silence heavy with the weight of political trepidation. Somali lawmaker Abdirashid Hidig offers a stark warning: if the House of the People stays shuttered, legislators might resort to holding their own sessions, parallel and unauthorized. A drastic measure, indeed, but Hidig has pointed fingers at certain political leaders, accusing them of intentionally crippling parliamentary operations. This dialogue invites us to ponder: in a land rife with challenges,…

In a painful reminder of the desperate journeys undertaken by countless individuals seeking a better life, Libyan security forces have unearthed nearly 50 bodies from two mass graves located in the arid southeastern desert. This grim discovery shines a light on the tragic realities faced by those attempting to cross the Mediterranean in search of a new beginning. The recent unearthing of a mass grave containing 28 migrants in the city of Kufra aligns with the discovery of another grave just days prior, where 19 bodies were…

The Supreme Judicial Council banned judges on Wednesday, June 9, from holding political positions in the executive body. This council advocates the independence of the judiciary and its impartiality in the face of ongoing political quarrels. This resolution comes after the dismissal on Tuesday by the head of the national authority for the fight against corruption of the Prime Minister. On Tuesday, the…

Saudi-and-Iranian officials-hold-talks-for-patch-up-relationships Senior Saudi and Iranian officials have held direct talks in an attempt to repair relations between the two regional rivals, five years after they severed diplomatic ties, according to three officials briefed on the talks. The talks, which took place in Baghdad this month, are believed to be the first important…

The Central African Republic held presidential and legislative elections on Sunday for fear of violence after a campaign period marked by fighting between rebels and government forces. The votes came out in large numbers in the capital, while in other parts of the country fewer people went to the polls due to fear of violence or boycotts from the rebel coalition. Some polling stations remained open late to allow more voters to vote. Despite the opposition's calls to delay the vote amid uncertainty,…

The heads of state of Central Africa met on Saturday, December 26, at a video conference to discuss the Central African Republic, just before the presidential election, as they urged voters to "go massively to the polls". In its final press release, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which met on the initiative of Congo-Brazzaville, also condemned "with the greatest energy" the…

The case is causing an uproar in Mbobero, in southern Kivu. A human rights defender was shot dead on Sunday, December 6, by one of the guards for the concession acquired by former President Joseph Kabila. The trial in Mbobero before the military tribunal reveals on several points, in particular the regularity of the presence of these soldiers in the area.…

Chadian police raided the premises of the private radio station FM Liberté on Friday, November 27 in N'Djaména. According to the police, 70 people were arrested. They were released, for the majority, Friday night, but three civil society activists were brought before the prosecutor, still according to police. This intervention was strongly condemned by several organizations outraged by the tense…