West Africa Trade Will Take a Hit As Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso Leave Ecowas

[ad_1] The membership of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has been whittled down from 15 to 12 following the unilateral withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in February. Founded in 1975, Ecowas is one of eight regional economic communities recognised by the African Union to foster regional integration on the continent. Its main objective is to create a single, large trading bloc through economic cooperation. Since 1975, Ecowas and its sister organisation the West African Economic […]

February 15, 2024 3

Africa

Africa: Wagner Group Is Now Africa Corps. What This Means for Russia’s Operations On the Continent

[ad_1] In August 2023, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died after his private jet crashed about an hour after taking off in Moscow. He had been Russia's pointman in Africa since the Wagner Group began operating on the continent in 2017. The group is known for deploying paramilitary forces, running disinformation campaigns and propping up influential political leaders. It has had a destabilising effect. Prigozhin's death - and his aborted mutiny against Russian military commanders two months earlier - has […]

February 15, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Mali – Defiant and Alone, Will the Junta Defeat the Jihadis?

[ad_1] Revolting against the French, expelling a UN force and walking out of ECOWAS, the Assimi Goita junta is taking out its frustrations with the jihadis on everyone. How does it save the beleaguered republic? The symbolic lowering of the United Nations flag at the headquarters of UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Bamako on 11 December marked the closing chapter of the 15,000-strong force's presence, but more grimly, the fall of 311 peacekeepers. MINUSMA, which was […]

February 14, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Proposed Ecowas Exits Leave West Africa At a Crossroads

[ad_1] Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger's request to withdraw presents a crucial opportunity to improve the regional bloc's functioning. On 8 February, the Mediation and Security Council of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold a special session in Abuja. The ministerial-level meeting will discuss political and security issues, including the withdrawals of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the organisation. This follows the announcement on 28 January by the three countries' military leaders that the nations […]

February 8, 2024 1

Africa

Africa: Exiting Ecowas and Its Implications for Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, West Africa

[ad_1] "ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member state..." Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso said. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso last week announced they wanted nothing to do with the sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS, further deepening tensions between the bloc and countries currently led by juntas. The 15-nation regional economic bloc was established in 1975, "To promote cooperation and integration ... to raise the living standards of its peoples, and […]

February 5, 2024 1

News

Africa: Afcon – South Africa Shock Morocco, Mali Ease Through

[ad_1] All top five FIFA-ranked teams have been dumped out at AFCON 2023 after South Africa shocked Morocco on Tuesday The 2023 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) continues to be a tournament of surprises. A day after the defending champions Senegal, Africa's second-ranked team, were sent packing by the hosts. the top-ranked Morocco team, who made it to the 2022 World Cup semifinals, were sent packing by South Africa. Two second half goals from Evidence Makgopa including an excellent free-kick by […]

January 31, 2024 1

News

Namibia/Mali: Namibia’s Amazing Run Continues

[ad_1] THE Brave Warriors' class of 2024 continued to rewrite the script and astound critics as they became the first Namibian team in history to reach the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after holding Mali to a goalless draw in San Pedro on Wednesday evening. Mali, one of the thoroughbred teams on the African continent with an impressive history at Afcon, once again started as heavy favourites, and in fact, had already qualified for the knockout […]

January 26, 2024 3

News

Kenya/Mali: Chapa Dimba Star Duncan Odhiambo in Mali for Training

[ad_1] Nairobi — Safaricom Chapa Dimba sensational Duncan Odhiambo is in Mali, training with ABM Football Academy. The 17-year-old, who was discovered during the Nyanza Region Safaricon Chapa Dimba Under-19 football tournament in Kisumu, said he is eager to impress and finally hope to seal a deal. "I have come here to showcase my talent so that I can improve my skills," Odhiambo, the younger brother of Gor Mahia talisman and current FKF Premier League top scorer, Benson Omalla, said […]

January 11, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Algeria, Mali Secure Big Pre-TotalEnergies CAF Afcon Friendly Victories

[ad_1] Some of the 24 teams scheduled to play at the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d'Ivoire were engaged in friendly matches over the weekend to fine tune their preparations for the competition that kicks off next week. Algeria and Mali secured big wins to boost their confidence ahead of the tournament that is set to kick off on January 13 in Abidjan. Each side carefully selected their friendly opponents to fine-tune their preparations, making the most […]

January 8, 2024 1