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NIGERIA WEST AFRICA

New chair Tinubu formulates plan to revitalise ECOWAS leadership

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu in Gigiri, Nairobi, on 16 July 2023. © Simon Maina/AFP

As the new chair of the Economic Community of West African States, the Nigerian president wants to inject fresh energy into the organisation's leadership as it struggles more than ever with military juntas and Islamist militant threats across the region. He has set up a task force to tackle the issue. [...]

Published on 26/07/2023 at 04:40 GMT Reading time 4 minutes Fatoumata Diallo, Thibaut Lanchon

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Diplomacy

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Alassane Ouattara
Assimi Goita
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
ECOWAS
Emmanuel Macron
European Union
Faure Gnassingbe
Goodluck Jonathan
Ibrahim Traore
Islamic State of Greater Sahara
Mahamadou Issoufou
Mamadi Doumbouya
Mohamed Bazoum
Muhammadu Buhari
Nana Akufo-Addo
Patrice Talon
Shegun Bakari
Thomas Boni Yayi
Umaro Sissoco Embalo
United Nations

Tinubu's security adviser meets with head of French intelligence

Nigeria's new national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, travelled to Paris to meet the director of the French external intelligence service, as well as the gendarmerie high command.

Nigeria Business Diplomacy 18/09/2023

EU high representative Borrell expected for ninth Business Forum in Abuja

The date for the ninth EU-Nigeria Business Forum, this year in Abuja, is still waiting on confirmation that EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borrell, can attend.

NIGERIA Energy Politics 28/08/2023

Tinubu keen to push on with Petroleum Industry Act review

The Nigerian president wants to correct flaws in the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act as soon as possible, and has put the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to the task.

Mahamadou Issoufou in December 2018. © Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters

In Focus

NIGER Politics 21/08/2023

Former President Mahamadou Issoufou's fingerprints all over Niger coup

Whether President Bazoum's predecessor played a part in the July coup continues to generate considerable speculation in West African capitals. Yet although Issoufou denies any sort of role, his closeness to junta leader Tchiani remains indisputable.

GHANA West Africa 21/08/2023

The secrets of Open Society's African network seeking to secure the restitution of looted heritage

The US billionaire George Soros's organisation will bring together a cross-section of key players involved in the restitution of looted artworks and artefacts at a summit in Accra. In its work on this issue, Open Society has built a network of political influence across the continent.

NIGER Diplomacy 16/08/2023

Niger coup: divided AU Peace and Security Council rejects any military intervention

Concerned about the increasing number of coups in West Africa, the African Union is trying to make its voice heard on the appropriate response to that of Niger. Chaired by Burundi, the volatile Peace and Security Council, which met on 14 August, is against ECOWAS military intervention.

NIGER Diplomacy 01/08/2023

Coup in Niger: Sultan of Sokoto to attempt mediation for ECOWAS

Breaking news published on 01/08/23 at 12h52 - Africa Intelligence can reveal that the heads of state of the 15-member regional organisation have just agreed that the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'adu Abubakar, will act as the union's mediator in Niamey.

Demonstrators gather in Niamey in support of soldiers involved in the putsch.

NIGER Diplomacy 28/07/2023

Niger coup: last-chance mediation efforts from Washington to Abuja

Breaking news published on 28/07/23, 21.00 - Despite General Abdourahamane Tchiani declaring himself head of the CNSP military junta on 28 July, ECOWAS is holding out hope that Mohamed Bazoum will return to power and, alongside Paris and Washington, is counting on Nigerien ex-president Mahamoudou Issoufou's involvement.

Le général putschiste Abdourahmane Tchiani, qui s'est proclamé 'président de la transition' au Niger.

NIGER Diplomacy 27/07/2023

Niger coup: behind the scenes of ECOWAS closed door discussions

ECOWAS member state presidents have held numerous informal consultations since the coup in Niger on 26 July, but are finding it difficult to coordinate their response. Many leaders are at the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg, and furthermore, ECOWAS has no clear means of taking action against the coup plotters.

ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja in February 2023.

WEST AFRICA Politics Diplomacy 04/07/2023

Nigerian President Tinubu favourite for ECOWAS chair

Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's new head of state, has emerged as favourite to take the chair of the West African regional organisation as negotiations continue before a decision due on 9 July.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu arrives for the closing session of the New Global Financial Pact Summit, on June 23, 2023 in Paris.

The battle to find the next president of ECOWAS has begun. © Studio Pachamama // © Olukayode Jaiyeola/Nurphoto/Nurphoto via AFP // © Tunisian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu Agency/ Anadolu Agency via AFP // © Umit Donmez/Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via AFP // © Issouf Sanogo/AFP // © Cedeao

In Focus

WEST AFRICA Diplomacy 26/06/2023

Battle over the future chair of ECOWAS

The Guinea-Bissau president's hopes of a second term at the ECOWAS helm could well be dashed. The West African regional group, weakened by a series of coups in its member states and by a spat over whether national presidents should be allowed to serve a third term, is looking at several other potential candidates.

Palace Intrigues AFRICA Politics Diplomacy 20/06/2023

CONGO REPUBLIC - Pascaline Bongo's discreet visit to Denis Sassou Nguesso
TOGO - Macron's Africa adviser meets Faure Gnassingbé in Lomé
IVORY COAST - Trouble stirs at the Grande Loge de Côte d'Ivoire
GUINEA - Thomas Boni Yayi postpones Conakry visit

French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to Port-Bouët camp, Ivory Coast, December 2019. © Media Coulibaly/Reuters

Spotlight

WEST AFRICA Defence 09/05/2023

Paris mulls drastic reduction of French troops in Africa

The "re-articulation" of France's military presence in Africa, announced by President Macron in February, is taking shape. Plans to drastically reduce numbers at the country's permanent bases in West Africa are already well advanced.

MOROCCO SAHEL Diplomacy 22/06/2021

Morocco looks to get more involved in Mali via Transition Support Group and the African Union

Morocco has been invited for the first time time to take part in the meetings of the Mali Transition Support Group and is trying to get more involved in Malian affairs at the African Union.

Set up email notifications for these topics

Alassane Ouattara
Assimi Goita
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
ECOWAS
Emmanuel Macron
European Union
Faure Gnassingbe
Goodluck Jonathan
Ibrahim Traore
Islamic State of Greater Sahara
Mahamadou Issoufou
Mamadi Doumbouya
Mohamed Bazoum
Muhammadu Buhari
Nana Akufo-Addo
Patrice Talon
Shegun Bakari
Thomas Boni Yayi
Umaro Sissoco Embalo
United Nations

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