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Tag: Coup

Africa Ghana Mali West Africa World 

ECOWAS sets new poll deadlines for Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , , ,

West African coup states – Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea have been given new deadlines to ensure elections take place to return them into civilian rule. Leaders of the regional bloc, ECOWAS on Friday after their summit in Ghana’s capital Accra agreed to give Mali’s military transitional government 12 to 16 months to hold elections. In a statement the heads of state decided “to send the Mediator to Mali to continue and finalise the discussions on the chronogramme with the Transition Authorities.” The leaders in the meantime decided to “uphold…

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Africa Mali West Africa World 

Mali’s coup leaders and Ecowas fail to reach a deal on poll date

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , ,

– – Mali’s political crisis remains unresolved after the country’s coup leaders and those from the regional bloc, ECOWAS failed to agree on a new poll date. The West African nation has been under harsher sanctions from ECOWAS and the European Union after interim President Assimi Goïta and his team prolonged the transitional period. There were plans for elections this year but the coup leaders wanted at least four years in power which was rejected by ECOWAS leaders. New sanctions on the country sparked protests from citizens after their leaders…

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Africa Ghana West Africa World 

Ghana: Social activist charged with treason over coup comment

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , ,

– – A leading social activist in Ghana, Oliver Barker-Vormawor has been charged with treason after making claims of carrying out a coup if a controversial electronic levy policy is passed by the country’s parliament. State prosecutors charged him with treason when he was arraigned in court on Monday. He has also been remanded into police custody till February 28. Barker-Vormawor’s lawyers had pleaded for him to be bailed at Monday’s court hearing but the prosecutors opposed the plea and asked that he be remanded due to the nature of the…

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Africa Ghana West Africa World 

Ghanaian activist arrested over coup comments

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , ,

– – A Ghanaian social activist Oliver Baker- Vormawor has been arrested by the police for making claims of carrying out a coup if a controversial electronic levy policy is passed by the country’s parliament. Barker-Vormawor who is a convenor of the popular pressure group #FixtheCountry Movement was arrested by operatives from the National Security at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). The police have since confirmed his arrest and said he will soon be processed for court. The lawyer and Cambridge University PhD student was picked up upon arriving from…

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Africa West Africa World 

ECOWAS to deploy troops to Guinea-Bissau after coup attempt

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , ,

– – ECOWAS leaders have said they will be deploying troops to Guinea-Bissau to help stabilize the country after Tuesday’s failed coup attempt. The country’s president Umaro Sissoco Embaló revealed this week that he and his cabinet were targeted in a coup attempt while attending a meeting. Gunfire was heard near the ministerial building where the meeting was taking place on Tuesday. There were several casualties in the gunfire in the capital Bissau, but the president said “I’m fine, the situation has been brought under control.” ECOWAS at its extra-ordinary…

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Africa West Africa World 

Why ECOWAS didn’t impose sanctions on Burkina Faso

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , ,

– – Ecowas heads of state have decided against imposing any sanctions on Burkina Faso after concluding their meeting in Ghana’s capital Accra on Thursday. Soldiers seized power Burkina Faso last month, ousting President Roch Kabore, an action that led to Burkina Faso’s suspension from ECOWAS and the African Union. The West African leaders have asked the junta release unconditionally, ousted President Kabore and rapidly propose an election timetable. There were no extra sanction because Burkina Faso coup leaders  showed willingness to work towards a return to constitutional order, according…

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Africa West Africa World 

Guinea-Bissau President speaks after failed coup attempt

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , ,

– – Calm has now returned to Guinea-Bissau after Tuesday’s failed coup attempt with the president Umaro Sissoco Embaló speaking out on the issue. He told reporters that calm has returned to the country after Tuesday’s incident assuring that the situation was now under control. Gunfire was heard near a ministerial building in Guinea-Bissau where President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam were having a meeting on Tuesday. There were several casualties in the gunfire in the capital Bissau, but the president said “I’m fine, the situation…

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Africa West Africa World 

Guinea-Bissau: Heavy gunfire at presidential meeting compound

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , ,

– – Gunfire had been heard near a ministerial building in Guinea-Bissau where President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam were having a meeting on Tuesday. One police officer has been killed in the gunfire in the capital Bissau, according to local media reporting. The firing though according to residents had now subsided after it was earlier reported that firing took place near the presidential palace. Military vehicles laden with troops have been driving through the streets of the capital to restore order. The military and police…

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Africa West Africa World 

Ecowas sends delegation to Burkina Faso over political crisis

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , ,

– – The West African regional bloc, Ecowas has sanctioned a delegation to hold talks with Burkina Faso’s coup leaders in the capital, Ouagadougou. The team’s visit to the country on Monday is to among others assess the political situation there after soldiers seized power. President Roch Kaboré was ousted by the soldiers blaming him for failing to contain worsening violence by Islamist militants. ECOWAS last week suspended Burkina Faso from the regional bloc as it demands an immediate return to constitutional rule. West African leaders said after their virtual…

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Africa West Africa World 

Lt-Col Damiba: The man behind the coup in Burkina Faso

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , ,

– – The latest coup in Burkina Faso has added to the growing concerns about the return of military takeovers in parts of Africa. Details are now emerging about the soldier behind the coup that toppled President Roch Kaboré this month. Lt-Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is the man responsible for the coup in Burkina Faso. The 41 year old who is a US and France trained soldier in warfare, holds the title of President of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration. Lt-Col Damiba adds to a group of young…

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