Africanewswatch

13/09/2023

25/08/2023

The BRICS group of developing nations has ignored Nigeria as they invited Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina, among others to become new members of the bloc.

This came after Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the BRICS summit as a representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday.

Mr Shettima declared that the federal government was passionate about empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, for the development of the nation’s economy, during a tour of exhibition stands at the BRICS Trade Fair.

Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President, who is also hosting the summit of BRICS leaders, announced the new members.

Mr Ramaphoda added that the new candidates will be formally admitted as members on January 1, 2024.

22/08/2023

No fewer than 161 Nigerians whose releases were secured from detention facilities in Libya over various Immigration offences have been repatriated by the federal government.

This was made known by Kabiru Musa, the Charge d’Affaires En Titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, on Monday in Abuja, noting that the Nigerian government, through its Mission in Libya, secured the release of the detained Nigerians to enable them to return home and rebuild their lives.

He explained that the evacuees were expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday night, adding that the evacuees were also sensitised on the dangers of irregular migration, warned against embarking on such perilous journeys again, and warned others to get home to avoid irregular migration.

17/08/2023

At least 63 migrants from Senegal are feared to have died after a fishing boat transporting them sank at the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean, Aljazeera reports.

This was disclosed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) spokeswoman Safa Msehli on Wednesday.

“We must open our arms and welcome the living and bury the dead with dignity,” said Cape Verdean Health Minister Filomena Goncalves, as quoted by the Inforpress news agency.

The vessel, according to the Spanish migration advocacy group Walking Borders, was a big fishing boat known as a pirogue that left Senegal on July 10 with more than 100 refugees and migrants on board.

Families in Fass Boye, a beach hamlet 145 kilometres (90 miles) north of Dakar, contacted Walking Borders on July 20 after 10 days of not hearing from loved ones on the boat, according to Walking Borders founder Helena Maleno Garzón.

Cheikh Awa Boye, president of the local fishermen’s association, said two of his nephews were missing. “They wanted to go to Spain,” Boye said.

According to the AFP news agency, Jose Rui Moreira, a health officer in Sal, seven survivors needed to be transferred to the hospital.

12/08/2023

The former governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has advised President Bola Tinubu to withdraw Nigeria's membership from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) instead of allowing the US and France to push him to what he described as unnecessary military action against the junta in the Niger Republic.

Senator Kalu said this on Thursday while reacting to ECOWAS’ declaration of the deployment of a standby force against the junta after the bloc's emergency summit held in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

07/08/2023

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, on Sunday, warned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is legally obligated to seek the consent of the United Nations Security Council to undertake any interventions in Niger Republic.

The warning comes on the heels of a one-week ultimatum issued by the President Bola Tinubu-led ECOWAS last Sunday to putschists in the West African nation, demanding the release and reinstatement of Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held by the military for over 10 days.

Falana, in a statement, pointed that ECOWAS is required to seek and obtain the authorisation of the UN Security Council to launch an attack on a sovereign nation pursuant to Article 53(1) of the United Nations Charter.

Citing Article 53(1), the senior advocate said, “The Security Council shall, where appropriate, utilize such regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority.

04/08/2023

President Bola Tinubu has written the Nigerian Senate, intimating it of the proposed military action and other sanctions against the military officers who recently seized power in the Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Since the soldiers seized power in Niger on July 26, the leaders of the West African regional bloc headed by President Tinubu, has been in discussions, especially on sanctions against the coup plotters.

However, the junta has remained adamant. Not even a delegation by Tinubu, yesterday, could de-escalate the situation.

04/08/2023

A team from the West African bloc left without fulfilling scheduled meetings and plans. Meanwhile, the country's ousted president warned that his country's security was at risk amid the junta rule.

03/08/2023

Niger Republic is heavily dependent on Nigeria for most of its electricity supplies.

A number of cities in the Niger Republic are currently experiencing prolonged blackouts after Nigeria cut its power supply to the neighbouring West African country.

According to Nigelec, an electricity company in Niger, the development followed an emergency meeting by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where sanctions, including freezing utility services, were imposed on the Niger Republic over its coup.

03/08/2023

It should not be an option to being with, except you want war

02/08/2023

Ugandan musical superstar cm politician Bobi Wine has explained why he is reluctant to engage in the debate on gay rights in his country.

The presidential candidate in the 2021 presidential election in Uganda spoke in an exclusive interview with 90MinutesAfrica's Rudolf Okonkwo in New York City.

The former Member of Parliament said he only refrains from commenting on the topic because his political enemies could use it against him.

"The anti-gay law was brought against the opposition, including myself," Bobi Wine said.