International affairs and diplomacy
EU-Africa
Category Archives: West Africa
Burkina Faso elections: Kabore leads
Posted on November 25, 2020 by Europe correspondent	Leave a comment
Brussels 25.11.2020 Burkina Faso's president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore,63, is clearly leading in results announced from more than half of the country's voting districts following weekend elections.
Burkina Faso's president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, notched up a hefty lead in results announced from more than half of the country's voting districts following weekend elections https://t.co/Yeqde4W2rX
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 25, 2020
Kabore, bidding for a second term at the helm of the troubled Sahel state, has 58.14 percent of the vote, according to the ongoing count conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).
Opposition leader Zephirin Diabre has 14.25%, while Eddie Komboigo, who heads a former ruling party, has 13.62%, it said.
#BurkinaFaso #Elections2020
Ceci est une déclaration du Mouvement Burkinabè pour la Promotion des Valeurs Démocratiques sur les élections de 2020 au Burkina Faso.https://t.co/1U1AsiCUFE
— Burkina 24 (@burkina24) November 25, 2020
The figures are derived from results from 196 out of the 368 districts, embassies or consulates where votes for Sunday's elections were cast.
Kabore is seeking an overall majority from voting day to avoid a runoff in which he would stand against a single candidate backed by a united opposition.
#BurkinaVote2020 : Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, crédité de 58,14 % des voix contre 14,57 % pour Zéphirin Diabré et 13,62 % pour Eddie Komboïgo, sur un taux de compilation de plus 50%.
https://t.co/n2pURvXjIZ
— Afrik.com (@AfrikInfo) November 25, 2020
He has been under fire for his response to a five-year-old jihadist campaign that has rolled in from Mali, claiming at least 1,200 lives and forcing around a million people to flee their homes.
The elections on Sunday were for Burkina's legislature as well as its presidency, where executive power in the is concentrated.
Opposition parties insist the vote was marked by fraud and flawed procedures.
Burkina Faso: 14 soldiers killed in ambush
Brussels, 13.11.2020 At least 14 soldiers perished and eight others were wounded in an ambush against a military convoy in Burkina Faso, the government said late Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday along the Tinakof-Beldiabe road in Burkina Faso's northern province of Oudalan.
"A unit of the Tin-Akoff military detachment in the province of Oudalan, Sahel region fell into an ambush on Wednesday perpetrated by a group of terrorists, killing 14 and eight wounded, three of whom were serious," Communication Minister Remis Dandjinou said.
#Burkina Faso : quatorze soldats ont été tués dans une embuscade dans le nord du pays. Il s'agit de l'une des plus graves attaques contre l'armée depuis cinq ans.
➡️https://t.co/TjO8aFrO3d
— TV5MONDE Info (@TV5MONDEINFO) November 13, 2020
The Minister said defense and security forces engaged in search operations to track down the perpetrators of the attack.
#BurkinaFaso Mort de 14 militaires au #Sahel
"Je suspends ma campagne pour 48 heures afin de compatir avec la Nation entière et particulièrement les #FDS à la disparition de nos braves Soldats. Qu'ils reposent en paix !", a écrit Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo.https://t.co/c5Ec4WTAo4 pic.twitter.com/lcQDLMIDu5
"I am suspending my campaign for 48 hours in order to sympathise with the entire Nation and particularly the #FDS (The Burkina Faso Armed Forces ) at the disappearance of our brave Soldiers. May they rest in peace!" wrote Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, the former Prime-Minister and the candidate for the presidency.
#Sahel
Force conjointe du G5 Sahel recherche financements désespérément https://t.co/nvPKISB9X9 pic.twitter.com/CysILne3VG
— Pilar Rangel (@pilarrangel69) November 12, 2020
Last month, unknown assailants attacked a village in northern Burkina Faso, killing at least 24 people, leaving another 18 injured in the attack, the number of kidnapped remained unknown.
MALI: 25 perished in attacks
Posted on October 14, 2020 by Europe correspondent	Leave a comment
Islamist militants are suspected to be a group behind the killing 25 people including 13 soldiers in multiple attacks in central Mali, burning down an army base and ambushing troops sent as reinforcements, the army and local authorities said on October 13.
Suspected jihadists kill 25 in central Mali attacks https://t.co/buU3ubb9fj
— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) October 14, 2020
The attacks were the deadliest since the August 18 military coup d'état ousting unpopular President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and came just days after scores of jailed jihadists were freed by the interim government in a prisoners for hostages swap.
Nine soldiers were killed in the first attack that took place overnight against a base in Sokoura near the border with Burkina Faso, the army statement reads.
Netafrique – Mali: 24 personnes tuées dans le centre, l'armée riposte avec des frappes aériennes https://t.co/j0je0nkprI pic.twitter.com/PEG0lk0s5J
— Afropages (@Afropages) October 14, 2020
At around 8:30 a.m. (0830 GMT) on Tuesday, on October 13, another three soldiers were killed in an ambush at a bridge near the base as their unit headed to the scene of the first attack, the army statement explains.
Nine militants were killed in clashes with the reinforcement unit and two of their vehicles destroyed by the air force.
In a third assault about 40 minutes later near the town of Bandiagara, gunmen ambushed a commercial truck, killing 12 traders and one soldier, according to Moulaye Guindo, the mayor of nearby Bankass, to which the traders were en route.
💬 🇲🇱 Au #Mali : «Si l'armée française s'en va, rapidement les #jihadistes reviennent vers le sud» explique le général Christophe Gomart, ex-patron de la Direction du renseignement militaire.
►Invité Afrique de David Baché #RFImatin 👇 pic.twitter.com/vOqWd31ITL
— RFI (@RFI) October 14, 2020
A witness said he saw nine bodies at the military base and helped transport 20 wounded to local medical centres.
"They (jihadists) took all the vehicles and burned those they could not take away. The camp is burned," said the witness, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal.
#Mali : Au moins 24 personnes, dont 12 civils, tuées au Mali #Mali https://t.co/0gPnD5tOM1
— maliactu (@maliactu) October 14, 2020
A transitional government has been appointed since the military coup. But regional and international powers fear the violence could further destabilise the West African nation and undermine a French-directed military campaign against insurgents linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in the wider Sahel region.
Mali: Swiss hostage death in absentia
Brussels 10.10.2020 A Swiss hostage – Béatrice Stockly (pictured) – Evangelical Missionary in Timbuktu, who had been held in Mali for four years was killed, the Swiss foreign ministry announced on October 9 in the evening after being informed by French authorities.
Mali: l'otage suisse Béatrice Stockly, enlevée il y a quatre ans dans la région de Tombouctou, a été tuée par ses ravisseurs https://t.co/XFjEtgnukP pic.twitter.com/HkwncWB9TM
— RFI (@RFI) October 9, 2020
"She was apparently killed by kidnappers of the Islamist terrorist organization Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslim (JNIM) about a month ago," the ministry said in a statement on its website.
It said the exact circumstances of the killing were still unclear, but that information had been obtained by the French authorities from a recently released French hostage.
Swiss authorities had worked with Malian authorities and international partners over the past four years to try to obtain the release of the hostage, the ministry said. It did not name the hostage.
The Swiss foreign ministry said on Friday it had been informed by French authorities that a Swiss hostage who had been held in Mali for four years was dead. https://t.co/GAjeKY1KQ4 pic.twitter.com/eAthupRkdL
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis condemned the killing in the statement. The ministry said it would try to find out more about the circumstances of the killing and whereabouts of the hostage's remains.
Diese Nachricht aus Mali 🇲🇱 macht mich sehr betroffen. Ich verurteile diese grausame Tat. Meine Gedanken sind jetzt bei den Angehörigen. https://t.co/qeGYE3qQhh
— Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) October 9, 2020
Basel humanitarian Béatrice Stockly, kidnapped four years ago in Mali, was killed by her captors, those responsible are apparently members of an al-Qaeda group. She was allegedly killed by the kidnappers of the Islamist terrorist organization Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslim (JNIM) about a month ago.
Béatrice Stockly, missionnaire évangélique suisse exécutée par #AQMI au #Sahel: éléments d'analyse#BeatriceStockly #Evangéliques #Mali
https://t.co/oH0kwZ4MH4 pic.twitter.com/uGe33duRSW
— FATH Sébastien (@SebFath) October 10, 2020
"It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of our fellow citizen", declared the head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis. "I condemn this cruel act and express my deepest condolences to the relatives of the victim."
Swiss evangelical missionary in the field Béatrice Stockly, who has been living in Timbuktu (Mali) for many years.
This woman who became Arabic-speaking, with a modest income, formerly in the service of the German mission "New Life Ghana", had chosen to live, independently, within the population to develop local social action and offer a Christian alternative. Béatrice Stockly was kidnapped twice, in Mali, first in 2012 (Ansar Dine group) and then from 2016 (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), because of her religious activity.
At the start of 2016, AQIM described her as "a disbelieving "evangelizer" who, through her work, has succeeded in bringing out of Islam a number of sons of Muslims" From a strict security point of view.
The exact circumstances of the Swiss hostage assassination are not yet clear. The French authorities were informed of this execution through the intermediary of the recently released French hostage, Sophie Pétronin.
EU supports Mali transition
Posted on October 6, 2020 by Europe correspondent	Leave a comment
"The European Union welcomes the appointment of the President of the Transition Mr. Bah N'daw, the Prime Minister Mr. Moctar Ouane, as well as the entry into office of a government paving the way for a civil transition in Mali for a period 18 months. The European Union welcomes the lifting of the sanctions adopted against Mali following the events of August 18, after several weeks of negotiations carried out with determination by the Economic Community of West African States", reads the statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the appointment of the President of the Transition and the new government.
Mali / Suite à la levée des sanctions par la @ecowas_cedeao, l'UE est prête à accompagner la Transition pour rétablir l'ordre constitutionnel, et pour conduire les réformes prioritaires indispensables au #Mali. #AUEU https://t.co/VXKLTt8GOO
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) October 6, 2020
"These conditions now being met, the European Union is ready to support the Transition on the one hand, to organize credible elections leading to the reestablishment of constitutional order, and on the other hand to carry out priority reforms to deal with structural challenges. and long term from Mali. This transition period constitutes an important window of opportunity to recreate a national pact around more accountable and more inclusive public institutions, as has been clearly expressed by the Malian people. As part of a demanding partnership, the European Union will be particularly attentive to concrete actions, particularly in the areas of governance, the fight against impunity, the fight against corruption, more efficient, more transparent and more accountable management. defense and security forces, as well as a more effective presence of State services in the most fragile regions for the benefit of the populations. The implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, as underlined by President N'daw in his inaugural address, remains an imperative".
La CEDEAO lève les sanctions sur le Mali https://t.co/t8VJQ0cGNH #Mali pic.twitter.com/rkDk3p0IPq
— AllAfrica Fr (@AllAfricafrench) October 6, 2020
The Gambia: EU concerns over constitution review
"The European Union has been at the forefront of support to the democratic transition in The Gambia since 2017 and to the reforms aiming at entrenching democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Over the last months, it has observed with growing concern a marked slowdown in the pace of the reform process and in particular noted the recent important setback with the rejection of the draft new Constitution. It is key for the 2021 Presidential elections to take place on the basis of a new social contract" reads the statement of the head of the EU diplomacy Josep Borrell.
#TheGambia: The EU calls upon the Government to take the lead in building the necessary national consensus around the future direction of the democratic transition, with a new Constitution at its core. #AUEUhttps://t.co/HG9wE37p2V
"The constitutional review process is linked to other pillars of the democratic transition, in particular the transitional justice process with the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), as well as the Security Sector Reform (SSR). It therefore remains important to lay the foundations for the follow-up of these processes. Moreover, taking forward other significant reforms, such as the revision of the Public Order Law, media and access to information laws prior to the 2021 Presidential elections, requires decisive Government action.
"The European Union calls upon the Government to take the lead in building the necessary national consensus around the future direction of the democratic transition, with a new Constitution at its core" the EU top diplomat wrote.
In December 2017, the National Assembly of the Gambia had established a Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) to draft a new statute book to replace the 1997 constitution, which many analysts believed had many undemocratic provisions. This constitution had been drafted three years after a military coup led by Yahya Jammeh, who amid high drama was overthrown, by a seven-party political alliance loosely called Coalition 2016.
After the acrimonious rejection of the 2020 Draft Constitution by supporters of President Adama Barrow with members of the APRC of former President Yahya Jammeh, stakeholders were summoned to a validation workshop for a draft Elections Bill https://t.co/gPP5MqjviD
— The Chronicle (@Chronicle_GM) September 29, 2020
But since then Gambian President Adama Barrow has walked out from the coalition that brought him to power and has launched his political party he National People's Party (NPP).
Experts say that that the country's transition that received praise from the international community and counted as one of the successes of post-dictatorial democratic transition on the rocks. They say, that democracy has become trapped under the complexities of power struggle.
After registering his new party in January, Barrow made it clear that he plans to run for president again in 2021, although he indicated when he was elected that he would be a one-term president.
The constitution bill would have created a two term limit, with the President serving five years per term. A clause in the bill for a transitional president, such as Barrow, would have his current term counted as one term.
The smallest country in mainland Africa hugs its namesake river. https://t.co/pVY7DRYZhA #TheGambia pic.twitter.com/yGMncgKcOy
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) September 27, 2020
EU awaits ECOWAS decision on Mali
Brussels 04.10.2020 The EU once again reiterated its full support to ECOWAS on the issue of lifting Mali sanctions, imposed by West Africa the regional powers. Meanwhile the transitional government is hopeful that sanctions placed on Mali by ECOWAS are likely to be lifted soon. Mali's newly appointed transitional President, Bah Ndaw held a meeting with the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Permanent Representative to Mali, Boly Hamidou to discuss the blockade problem, which has grave consequences for population of the country, and neighbourhood regions, involved in cross-border trade.
"After the swearing-in of the President of the Transition, Mr. Bah N'daw on September 25, the appointment of a civilian prime minister, Mr. Moctar Ouane, on Sunday, September 27, we are following the developments in view of the Transition on a track in accordance with ECOWAS requirements" said the EU spokesperson to Africa Diplomatic, while commenting on the issue. "In this context, the EU awaits the decision of ECOWAS regarding the sanctions imposed on Mali."
"The confirms her readiness to work in close collaboration with the UN / AU / ECOWAS Follow-up Committee in support of a successful transition. The EU gives full support to ECOWAS, whose heads of state are calling for a transfer of power to a transition led by a civilian President and Prime Minister, who can ensure the transition to a return to constitutional order" the spokesperson has underlined.
ECOWAS requires that the position of vice president, instituted by the board, be deprived of the prerogative to replace the president if the latter is unable to exercise the position. The post of vice president was handed over to the head of the military who led the coup d'état – Colonel Assimi Goita.
ECOWAS is concerned that the army may regain control in a transition in which it already plays a prominent role. The position of vice-president and his duties must be included in a "letter," a kind of fundamental document, to which the board refers to organize the transition.
However, no final official version of this text, according to which the president and vice president took office on September 25, has not been published. ECOWAS is requesting the publication of this document. A source close to the Mali officers said it could be revealed soon but would remain anonymous.
President @MBuhari today received a briefing from the @ecowas_cedeao Special Envoy to Mali, former President @GEJonathan. #AsoVillaToday pic.twitter.com/pcRrxrTwCp
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) September 28, 2020
Meanwhile Nigeria President Buhari is reluctant to lift up sanctions, after the meeting with 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 Nigerian 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, former army General Buhari said. Buhari is a retired general of the Nigerian Army and served as military head of state from 1983 to 1985, after taking power in a military coup d'état.
Mali: Moctar OUANE transition Prime Minister
Posted on September 27, 2020 by Europe correspondent	One comment
Moctar Ouane,64, the Malian career diplomat and politician has been appointed as transition Prime-minister of Mali. He served in the government of Mali as Minister of Foreign Affairs from May 2004 to April 2011. Among other high status appointments he served as Mali's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1995 to 2002.
#Mali #Gouvernement #Transition
L'ancien Ministre des Affaires étrangères, Moctar OUANE, est nommé Premier ministre de la transition. pic.twitter.com/1KPA5KJ49m
— JournalduMali (@JourDuMali) September 27, 2020
After leaving office as Foreign Minister in 2011, Ouane became Diplomatic Adviser to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (ECOWAS) in January 2014.
#Mali : À 64 ans, Moctar #OUANE est #nommé Premier #ministre de la #transition. La #liste de son #gouvernement #attendu pour le #mardi 29 septembre 2020.
Par : #MALI BUZZ #Malibuzz #webtv #Actualités #informations https://t.co/pcVMJQDxpO…
— Mali Buzz (@Malibuzz) September 27, 2020
EU: Mali Ba N'Daou – man of "integrity"
Posted on September 22, 2020 by Europe correspondent	Leave a comment
Brussels 22.09.2020 The European Union reacted positively on appointment of the former Defence Minister Ba N'Daou,70, as an interim President of Mali. The member of government, and close ally of late President Traoré, he is seen as man of needed qualities to lead the transition period, phrased for his "independence" and "integrity".
#EU reacts positively on nomination of #BaNDaou as interim #Mali President of 18 months transitional period to ensure legitimacy @NabilaEUspox added he is man of integrity. https://t.co/lpdQNn6xCM via @EC_AVService
— Anna van Densky (@AnnaVanDensky) September 22, 2020
"The nomination of Mr.Ba N'Daou as an interim President is a big step forward. There will be 18 months transition period, this allows the organisation of the elections to return to Constitutional order. Appointed by the inclusive committee of 17 persons, this person is a retired colonel, well-known for his integrity and independence, meeting the requirements formulated by the ECOWAS for the transition period led by civilians. In the current fragile context the choice of the Prime Minister who should also be a civilian will be very important for the legitimacy of the transition period", the EU diplomacy spokesperson said, while commenting on developments in Mali.
#Mali: l'ex-ministre de la Défense Ba N'Daou désigné président de transition (officiel) pic.twitter.com/FVs6bFyM3a
— aBamako (@aBamako) September 21, 2020
Former Defence Minister of late President Traoré, and a carreer military, Ba N'Daou is held in high esteem by his compatriots, known for his integrity, and high professionalism.
The National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), led by Coloenl Assimi Goita, announced on September 21 that Ba N'Daou was appointed as President of the new transitional government for the period of 18 months.
Mali's new head of state was born on August 23, 1950 in San in the Ségou region of Mali, ten years before Mali's independence. After obtaining the baccalaureate, he was conscripted into the army on June 1, 1973 at the age of 23. As an excellent solider he was appointed by the Malian military authorities to take a helicopter pilot course in the USSR the following year.
🇲🇱 Au #Mali, l'ancien ministre de la défense Ba N'Daou a été désigné président par la junte militaire.
On fait le point avec Ahmed El Kori, notre correspondant à #Bamako ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/fbuWkO1QEc
— FRANCE 24 Français (@France24_fr) September 21, 2020
The new leader of the transition is not a new public figure to Malians, known since he was l'aide-de-camp to the former president of Mali, the late General Moussa Traoré who died on September 15, 2020, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff of the national guard, director of military engineering, chief of defence cabinet at the prime minister's office, director general of equipment for the armed forces, official in charge of the MDAC. A remarkable career crowned with designation and appointment.
Thus, in 2008, he was promoted to director of the national office for retired military veterans and victims of war (ONAC). An officer of the national order, he was decorated with the medal of military merit and that of national merit.
The young soldier nicknamed "The Great" he joined the all new air force. holds a higher military study certificate in France. He was also patented from the School of War (CID) in 1994. He was in the 7th promotion (1973 in the Combined Arms School (EMIA) of Koulikoro.
MALI: Assimi GOITA VICE-PRESIDENT
Brussels 22.09.2020 The National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), led by Coloenl Assimi Goita, announced on September 21 that it was appointing former Defence Minister Ba N'Daou,70, as president of the new transitional government.
PROFIL : Le parcours du nouvel homme fort du #Mali, le Colonel-Major Bah Ndaw. https://t.co/DE04kxglq2
— Sá Moreno (@SaMoreno2017) September 22, 2020
The announcement came a week after the 15-member Economic Community of West African States took the decision, insisting on transition of power to civilians.
#Mali Mali : Bah N'Daw, le nouveau président de la transition #DW https://t.co/sY3QHCjIfc
— EyeOnMali (@EyeonMali) September 22, 2020
ECOWAS leaders who attended an Extraordinary Summit in Accra, Ghana, on September 17 issued a communique on several decisions aimed at speedy return to civilian rule, as the major condition of lifting up blockade of the Sahel country.
In addition to being a former defence chief, he was aide-de-camp to former President Moussa Traore who died September 15 in the Malian capital.
Former Maj. Col. Bah Ndiaw was appointed to lead #Mali, the National Council for People's Salvation (CNSP), a politico-military institution directed by the military junta
https://t.co/GW1RxA0ysS
— Arlaadi News (@ArlaadiNewsA) September 22, 2020
Ba N'Daou also served as deputy chief of the aviation. During his military career he received the highest distinctions, including the Medal of Military Merit, the Medal of National Merit and the National Order of Mali. The CNSP said Colonel Assimi Goita, the coud d'état leader, will serve alongside Ndiaw's as vice president of the transition.
The announcement comes several weeks after an August 18 coup d'état ousting unpopular President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
MALI: Head of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, Colonel Assimi Goïta, issued a nationally televised announcement pronouncing Ba N'Daou, previously the Minister of Defence, as the Malian transitional president appointed by a committee set up by the junta. pic.twitter.com/LLhcXj0l2I
— Apex World News (@apexworldnews) September 22, 2020
Résidence Palace International Press Centre, Brussels
Pompeii new discovery
Provisional EU-UK Agreement
Leyen hosts meeting with Stoltenberg
EU-UK Sunday talks continue
EUCO: EU-Turkey relations on rocks
@AfricDiplomatic Community
https://au.int/
Masai, Kenya. Illustration