Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Mali

  • Burkina Faso detention row: Nigeria says detained soldiers safe as talks continue

    Burkina Faso detention row: Nigeria says detained soldiers safe as talks continue

    According to The Punch, Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso after a Nigerian Air Force C‑130 made a precautionary landing remained in custody days later, with Abuja pursuing diplomatic engagement to resolve the dispute.

    Punch reported that the aircraft was on an overseas mission and landed due to a technical concern, while Burkina Faso’s authorities and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) framed the incident as an unauthorised entry into their airspace.

    Premium Times quoted the Nigerian Air Force saying the landing was “in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols,” underscoring Abuja’s argument that the diversion was legitimate and safety-driven.

    The Guardian’s international coverage noted the AES described the episode as an “unfriendly act,” reflecting the heightened regional tensions between ECOWAS states and the Sahel alliance.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is as much about regional politics as it is about aviation procedures. The AES–ECOWAS rift has created a trust deficit where even routine incidents can be interpreted as hostile moves. Watch for: the final terms of release/transfer, any formal diplomatic note exchanged, and whether Nigeria adjusts flight-clearance protocols when transiting AES-controlled airspace.

    Source: The Punch — 14 Dec 2025 (https://punchng.com/nigerian-soldiers-spend-sixth-day-in-burkina-faso-detention/)

     

    Photo Credit: Nigeria Troops — Crisis Group

  • Mali: ECOWAS Lifts Post-Coup Sanctions

    Mali: ECOWAS Lifts Post-Coup Sanctions

    The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has lifted sanctions it imposed against Mali over military coup that ousted ex-president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August.

    According to a statement on Tuesday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it was ending the sanctions.

    “Heads of state and government have decided to lift sanctions” after noting positive steps towards a constitutional government” the statement read.

    For many months, agrieived opposition and civil groups campaigned for the removal of Keita, a situation that finally led to a coup by the nations military.

    The bloodless coup in the landlocked nation was not well received by the 15-nation group, fearing that a polarised nation under a military rule might further pose security and instability in the region and so imposed tough sanctions against one of Africa’s poorest countries.

    A coup in 2012 was followed by an uprising in northern Mali which morphed into a bloody Islamist insurgency, claiming thousands of lives and threatening neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

    The ECOWAS sanctions, imposed on August 20, included border closures and a ban on commercial trade and financial flows but not basic necessities, drugs, equipment to fight coronavirus, fuel or electricity.

    Under pressure, Mali’s junta endorsed a “charter” to restore civilian rule within 18 months and appointed a committee which chose 70-year-old retired colonel Bah Ndaw as interim president.

    Despite this, ECOWAS insisted on the publication of the transition roadmap and warned it could not accept junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, who is interim vice president, as Ndaw’s potential replacement.

    The bloc has now taken into account “notable advances towards constitutional normalisation,” according to a French text of Tuesday’s statement, signed by President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, who currently chairs ECOWAS.

    It also called on “all bilateral and multilateral partners to support Mali.”

    The communique also called for civilian and military officers detained during the coup to be released, and for the junta, which calls itself the National Council for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), to be dissolved.

    The statement was issued a day after Ndaw appointed a government, headed by former foreign minister Moctar Ouane, in which junta members occupy key positions.

    The “charter” also sets down the goals of re-establishing security across the nation, two-thirds of which are outside government control; of “restoring the state”; and of staging general elections, The Guardian reports.

  • As Military Head, I Fought Corruption Headlong, President Buhari Recalls, Meets Jonathan Over Mali

    As Military Head, I Fought Corruption Headlong, President Buhari Recalls, Meets Jonathan Over Mali

    • At Launch Of National Ethics And Integrity Policy, President Buhari Calls For Rediscovery Of Our Cherished Traditional Ethical Values
    • Mali: Ecowas To Deliberate Again On Grey Areas, As Special Envoy, Goodluck Jonathan Briefs President Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the National Ethics and Integrity Policy “projects government’s aspiration for rediscovery of our cherished traditional ethical values of honesty, integrity, hard-work, truth and justice, unity, faith, and consideration for one another irrespective of status or background. Corruption and corruptive tendencies are abhorrent to these core ethical values.”

    The President said this Monday in Abuja at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) 2nd National Summit on Diminishing Corruption and launch of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the anti-corruption agency. The Policy was put together by the ICPC, in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, and the National Orientation Agency.

    The President recalled that, “as military Head of State, I fought corruption headlong and held public officers who abused their office or misused public funds to account. Furthermore, I introduced the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), one of whose cardinal objectives was promotion of our cherished culture of ethical conduct, integrity and hard work.

    “I recognized in 1984 as I do even more now that corruption poses a clear danger to Nigeria, so, we cannot relent in efforts to eradicate it from our society. As I have often reminded Nigerians, ‘If we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.’”

    He reiterated his belief that progress could only be achieved in the delivery of dividends for the citizenry when the arms and tiers of government work together.

    “I believe that it is when the three arms and the three levels of government work together that government will be enabled to serve the country. We will also see the positive impact of our efforts reaching all and sundry across the country.”

    According to the President, “bearing this critical factor in mind, I am happy that the theme of this year’s Summit by ICPC is, TOGETHER AGAINST CORRUPTION. I am aware that this theme derives from the theme of our 60th anniversary celebration. Together as a nation, as a people, the three arms and three tiers of government working together, we can attack corruption and realize the vast potentials of our country.”

    President Buhari reiterated his earlier call on the judiciary to undertake reforms that will fast-rack delivery of justice for the common good.

    “We need to deploy resources to address our common needs rather than the greed of a callous few. We need a corruption-free public sector to achieve this transformation; we need a judicial system that dispenses justice without undue delay and technicality.

    “We need laws and legal system to be reformed to deliver justice to every citizen without regard to status and finally we need ethical re-orientation of the people to achieve this goal. When we work together against corruption we can defeat it.”

    He emphasized that enlightening Nigerians on preventive measures remains the key component in fighting corruption and commends ICPC in this regard.

    “I wish to reiterate the role of preventive measures, public education and enlightenment against corruption. This government through the Open Treasury initiative, TSA, GIFMIS, BVN and many more is implementing different corruption prevention measures to track and retain government revenue for the use of the people.

    “I commend the ICPC for its enforcement and prevention measures including system review of capital and personnel budget, regular analysis of the Open Treasury platform, enforcement action against diversion and mismanagement of public funds, working with the Federal Inland Revenue Service to increase the number of companies and persons within the tax net, tracking of constituency project budget utilization for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians and its monitoring of implementation of budget by the Executive in key sectors like Agriculture sector.”

    Apart from presenting publications by the Commission, President Buhari also commended and presented awards to Opeyemi Peter Adeboye, Chikezie Favour and Matilda Daniels winners of the ICPC Youth Music and Essay Competitions on promotion of anti-corruption values as well as the 2020 Public Service Integrity Awardees; CSP Francis Osagie Erhabor of the Nigeria Police and Hamza Adamu Buwai of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment who demonstrated the will to look away from graft and corruption.

    He told them, “I congratulate all the awardees. Even though COVID-19 has not permitted the kind of ceremony that you deserve, Nigeria is proud of you. You are a pride to your families, institutions and to Nigeria.”

    There were goodwill messages from the Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Abubakar Malami (SAN) and United Nations Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon. The UN Coordinator particularly said the level of transparency in fighting corruption under President Muhammadu Buhari was ‘unequivocal.’

    In another development, Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), at the behest of their Chairman, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, may confer again to discuss outstanding grey areas in the Mali political situation, President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated.

    The President spoke after receiving briefing at State House, Abuja, Monday, from ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

    Mali has appointed a civilian as Interim President, who will stay in office for 18 months, and lead the country back to constitutional order, after the military had taken over power in the country. That was part of irreducible demands by West African leaders before sanctions imposed on the country could be lifted.

    However, according to the Special Envoy, the military leaders are yet to satisfy ECOWAS demand of a full civilian as Vice President, and what his roles would be in government. That position is currently being held by a serving military officer, who was also one of the leaders of the take-over.

    President Buhari counseled the Special Envoy to present a formal report to the new ECOWAS Chairman, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, “who will then write us officially, and we then determine the next steps.”

    The President said with about two-thirds of Mali currently under occupation by terrorists, “the priority of the military should be to secure their country,” rather than hold on to power.

  • Buhari priotises securing Mali “largely occupied by terrorists” 

    Buhari priotises securing Mali “largely occupied by terrorists” 

    Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday says the priority in Republic of Mali now should be securing the country, which is largely occupied by terrorists.

    According to a statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesiyan, the President spoke Wednesday when he received briefings from ECOWAS Special Envoy to the West African country, former President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital. 

    READ ALSO:

    Mali: Buhari urges unconstitutional ‘authority’ to restore order, fears regional instability

    The meeting came ahead of an extraordinary virtual summit by ECOWAS heads of state and leaders, scheduled for Friday.

    In Adesina’s statement, President Buhari stressed: “About two-thirds of Mali is occupied by terrorists, and it makes common sense to secure the country, rather than pursuing individual interests.”

    He said the sub-region would take a common position on the issue when the leaders meet on Friday, hoping that an amicable and generally acceptable position to all interested parties would be arrived at.

    In his brief to the President on dialogue with the military coup leaders, who are seeking to stay in power for three years, before holding elections, Dr Jonathan said:

    “They call themselves National Committee for the Salvation of the People. We asked them to allow ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to return to his personal residence, where he would be given tight security, but they said he could travel abroad, and not return to answer questions they may have for him,’’ the Special Envoy said.

    “We also told them that what would be acceptable to ECOWAS was an Interim Government, headed by a civilian or retired military officer, to last for six or nine months, and maximum of 12 calendar months. The Interim Government would then organize elections to restore full constitutional order.”

    READ ALSO:

    President Buhari vows to improve education, healthcare others before May 2023

    Dr Jonathan disclosed that his team was allowed to meet with the ousted President, who confirmed that he resigned voluntarily, adding that he was no longer interested in returning to his former position.

    He added that the military leaders want ECOWAS to lift sanctions put in place, as it was already affecting the country, “but we told them that the authority to do such was only in the hands of ECOWAS heads of state.”

  • Mali: Coup plotters promise elections “within a reasonable time”

    Mali: Coup plotters promise elections “within a reasonable time”

    Soldiers behind the coup tagged “popular inssurrection” that toppled the about seven years administration of Ibrahim Keita as President of Mali have promised to conduct elections within a “reasonable” time.

    The interventionist soldiers made this commitment on Wednesday, amidst pressure from the international community calling for civil, constitutional and peaceful resolution of the crisis that has ravaged the nation of about 20million people.

    Yesterday’s mutiny and military intervention in the political unrest, which was already inflamed was followed by Keita’s resignation on national TV, a move the opposition movement celebrated across the streets of Bamako. Keita’s announcement on national TV came only hours after Mutinous troops detained him at gunpoint.

    READ ALSO:

    Terrorism: ISWAP fighters hold hundreds hostage in Nigerian town- sources say

    In a swift reaction, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the region’s fifteen-nation group, moved to suspend Mali from its membership. The forceful removal of Keita sparked fears among leading nations and allies of the region, including the European Union (EU), that the region could be destabilised.

    While it still wasn’t clear on Wednesday morning who was leading the military revolt or who would act instead of the ousted President, a spokesman of the mutineers, labelled National Committee for the Salvation of the People (NCSP) justified the forceful removal of Keita and Cisse-led democratic government saying they acted to prevent Mali from falling further into chaos.

    However, the officer, Colonel Ismael Wague stretched a hand of invitation to Mali’s civil society and political movements to join them to create conditions for a political transition.

    “Our country is sinking into chaos, anarchy and insecurity mostly due to the fault of the people who are in charge of its destiny,” he said in a statement broadcast on national TV.

    “We are not keen on power, but we are keen on the stability of the country, which will allow us to organise general elections to allow Mali to equip itself with strong institutions within the reasonable time limit,” he added.

    There was no immediate reaction to Colonel Wague’s offer from the opposition and leaders of recent protests. However, the presidency of the G5 Sahel group of neighbouring states called on Malians to resolve the crisis peacefully, and demanded the release of President Keita and other senior officials.

    READ ALSO:

    EU Condemns ‘Attempted Coup’ In Mali, as region risks being destabilized

    On Wednesday, European Union Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton echoed that the bloc would insist on new elections within a reasonable timeframe.

    In a violent run-up to Tuesday’s coup following months of protests against alleged corruption, at least fourteen people were killed last month in protests called by a coalition of Mr. Keita’s political opponents.

    Mali, the landlocked nation has struggled to regain stability since a Tuareg rebellion in 2012 which was hijacked by Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda, and a subsequent coup in the capital, Bamako, plunged the country into chaos.

    The about eight year long violence has left thousands of citizens homeless

  • ECOWAS set on resolving Mali’s political crisis

    ECOWAS set on resolving Mali’s political crisis

    The Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African Sstates (ECOWAS), President Mahamadou Issoufou says the sub-regional organisation will do all it takes to mitigate the political crisis in Mali.

    This assurance came after many hours of consultations in the nation’s capital, Bamako, on Thursday.

    At the meeting, ECOWAS Special Envoy, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and leader of the opposition, Imam Mahmoud Dicko and representatives of opposition alliance, M5 and Civil Society Organisations briefed the high power delegate that include President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.

    READ ALSO: PDP seeks President Buhari’s resignation over insecurity, corruption scandals

    The host President also briefed the Heads of State and government on the socio-political situation in the country, especially the disagreements that spiraled into protests and violence.

    While briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, President Issoufou of Niger Republic, said an extra-ordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Heads of State and government will be held on Monday 26 July, 2020.

    This he said is to further deliberate on the issues raised, with a view to finding lasting solution to the crisis and restore peace to the country.

    He disclosed that the sub-regional leaders had already agreed there would be a need for a compromise to protect the peace and integrity of the nation.

    READ ALSO: 3rd Mainland Bridge: 900 FRSC, LASTMA personnel deployed to manage traffic

    He stated that allowing a political crisis in Mali would affect the security situation in West Africa, especially neighboring countries.

    The ECOWAS Chairman commended Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan, for accepting to lead an initial mission to the country to broker peace, and make findings, while appreciating all the West African leaders who attended the meeting.

    Earlier, Ghanaian President said that the ECOWAS protocol would be followed, explaining that the democratic tenet adopted by the sub-regional body clearly spells out that a President can only be voted into power, and voted out by election, except he completes his tenure.

    READ ALSO: Ogun: Gov. Abiodun approves appointments to statutory boards and commissions

    The Ghanaian leader noted that the protocol would be adhered to ensure safety and peace in the sub-region.

    President Buhari returned to Nigeria after the meeting.

  • President Buhari departs for crisis-hit Mali, aims to restore peace

    President Buhari departs for crisis-hit Mali, aims to restore peace

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday depart for Bamako, the Republic of Mali on a one-day visit.

    This is according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina.

    Buhari’s planned visit followed the briefing by the ECOWAS Special Envoy to the country, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The statement adds that President Buhari and the ECOWAS Chairman, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic had already agreed to meet in Mali to engage in further consultations towards finding a political solution to the crisis in the country.

    The two leaders are expected to be joined by the Host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire respectively.

    “We will ask the President of Niger, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS to brief us as a group, and we will then know the way forward,” President Buhari was quoted as saying.

    Earlier, Jonathan in the company of President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, on Tuesday briefed President Buhari on the unfolding situation in Mali, necessitating the visit of ECOWAS leaders to consolidate on the agreements reached by various parties.

    The former President had filled in President Buhari on his activities as Special Envoy to restore amity to Mali, rocked by protests against President Keita, who has spent two out of the five years, the second term in office.

    A resistance group, M5, is insisting that the Constitutional Court must be dissolved and that the President should resign before peace can return to the country.

    The crisis had erupted after the court nullified results of 31 parliamentary seats in the polls held recently, awarding victory to some other contenders, which the resistance group said was at the instigation of President Keita.

    Riots on July 10 had led to the killing of some protesters by security agents, causing the crisis to spiral out of control, hence the intervention by ECOWAS.

    • Channels TV
  • Jonathan Appointed ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali

    Jonathan Appointed ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali

    Former president Goodluck Jonathan has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a Special Envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission in Mali.

    Jonathan’s appointment was communicated to him in a letter signed by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

    “Given your position as the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the great role and contributions your tenure offered to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in our region, I have the honour, in consultation with the Chair of the Authority, H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, to communicate to you, the decision to appoint you as ECOWAS Special Envoy for the socio-political crisis in Mali,” the letter read.

    The former president is to engage in consultations with all relevant stakeholders involved in the ongoing dispute in Mali to ensure that a common ground is found in the search for peace.

    As a Special Envoy, Jonathan is to facilitate dialogue with all principal stakeholders in Mali, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, opposition leaders, civil society as well as religious organisations, towards resolving the worsening socio-political situation in the West African country.

    Speaking ahead of his scheduled departure for Bamako tomorrow, the former president promised to do his best to ensure that the mission achieves the desired result.

    He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the support of the Nigerian Government, including providing an aircraft and other logistics needed to make the assignment successful, said a statement by Jonathan’s Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze.

    Jonathan had led peace missions to many crises-ridden nations in the past. He’s expected to deploy his enormous goodwill within the continent to facilitate the process of restoring peace in the troubled nation.

    Mali has been hit by protests, sparked by the outcome of parliamentary elections in March and April, perceived discontent over the government’s handling of the country’s jihadist insurgency and worsening economic situation.

    Idowu Sowunmi