Photo : AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AP Photo
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph, Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prerana P
Niger: Military announces consolidation of new government
On 9 August, a decree from the coup leader of Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani Niger declared that the military had formed a new government in the country. The government comprises 21 ministers led by the new Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine. As per reports, the defence and interior ministries are headed by generals. The announcement came ahead of the meeting of ECOWAS leaders that is scheduled for 10 August. (“Niger: coup military regime forms government,” Africanews, 10 August 2023)
Niger: ECOWAS meeting orders standby forces to activate
On 10 August, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened for a meeting at Abuja, Nigeria where it discussed the situation in Niger. The leaders directed the initiation of ECOWAS’s standby forces, stating: “No option is taken off the table, including the use of force as a last resort.” They also agreed on implementing sanctions and travel bans on those attempting to stop the restoration of Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. ECOWAS head and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu reassured: “I hope that through our collective effort we can bring about a peaceful resolution as a roadmap to restoring stability and democracy in Niger. All is not lost yet.” (“ECOWAS leaders say all options open in Niger, including ‘use of force’,” Al Jazeera, 10 August 2023)
Mali: Government suspends issuance of visas to French nationals
On 10 August, according to Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the issuance of visas to French nationals was indefinitely suspended at its embassy in Paris. The Ministry confirmed that the move was in response to France’s decision to suspend the issuance of visas and the closure of its visa centre in Bamako. The Ministry stated that it was a surprise to learn that France has declared Mali as a “red zone” due to “strong regional tensions.” (“Mali suspends visas for French citizens amid row,” BBC, 10 August)
Uganda: President Museveni accuses World Bank of coercion
On 10 August, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni accused the World Bank of trying “to coerce” the government on its anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced in May. The developments come after the World Bank suspended new loans to the country attributing to the law against the LGBTQ claiming that it contradicts the values. President Museveni stated that it is unfortunate that the lender is seeking to “coerce us into abandoning our faith, culture, principles and sovereignty, using money.” He added: “They really under-estimate all Africans. We do not need pressure from anybody to know how to solve problems in our society. They are our problems.” (“Ugandan leader accuses World Bank of coercion,” BBC, 10 August 2023)