Search Results for: ECOWAS

In 2013, the United Nations (UN) established the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to address conflict in the Sahel region. Support for MINUSMA, the deadliest UN mission, has declined, especially after Western leaders have increasingly focused on the Russian intervention in Ukraine. In fact, several Western countries have announced their withdrawal from MUNUSMA, [...]

The Gambian government Wednesday announced that they have foiled an attempted coup by soldiers within the Gambian army. The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) have arrested four soldiers involved in the attempt to overthrow democratically elected President Adama Barrow. The arrested soldiers are reportedly “helping” authorities in further “investigations” concerning the attempted coup. The statement named [...]

Burkina Faso soldiers Friday evening appeared on state television channel Radio Television Du Burkina to announce the removal of Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba after he allegedly failed to stem a jihadist insurgency. Led by 34-year-old Captain Ibrahim Traore, the soldiers proclaimed, “e have decided to take our responsibilities, driven by a single ideal: the restoration [...]

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monday announced in a press conference that it lifted sanctions on Mali and Burkina Faso. ECOWAS previously imposed economic sanctions on both states in January due to political coups, turmoil and concerns over the loss of democratic rule. The sanctions were lifted after the Junta agreed to [...]

Guinea’s former president, Alpha Conde, was released from house arrest last week. Conde was removed from office by the army in September 2021, and he was temporarily replaced by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya. In January, Doumbouya announced the establishment of an 81-member National Council of Transition (CNT) to serve as the country’s parliament and legislate during [...]

The EU sanctioned five Malian Transition Government members Friday accused of obstructing and undermining political transition in the country after they broke an agreement to hold presidential elections in February, postponing it to December 2025. The revised schedule extended the transition period to five-and-a-half years. The sanctions impose three crucial restrictive measures on each of [...]

The African Union (AU) Monday suspended Burkina Faso in response to the January 24 military coup ousting President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. The Peace and Security Council, the AU’s standing decision-making organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, announced its decision “to suspend the participation of Burkina Faso in all AU activities until [...]

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Sunday announced economic sanctions on Mali, due to an “unacceptable” delay in holding elections. The delay is in response to the 2020 military coup, which delayed the February elections in Mali, one of four the country has experienced in 18 months. Interim authorities in Mali proposed to [...]

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met in extraordinary session on Thursday to consider the situation in the West African nations of Guinea and Mali, imposing sanctions on individuals from both countries. Both nations have experienced coups—Mali in May and Guinea earlier this month. The heads of state and other ministers who were [...]

Guinean President Alpha Conde was overthrown and the country’s constitution dissolved in an apparent military coup early Sunday morning. A group of special forces soldiers appeared on state television to reveal that President Conde had been detained and an interim government was to be formed under former French legionnaire Mamady Doumbouya. The group explained that [...]