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#ECOWAS: IN FAILURE. GREGORY COPLEY, DEFENSE & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group's president, Comfort Ero, and Sahel director Jean-Hervé Jezequel. He first speaks with Comfort about her recent visit to Mali's capital, Bamako, and her reflections on the diverging political trajectories of Sahelian countries. Richard then turns to Jean-Hervé for a closer look at Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) after breaking away from the regional bloc ECOWAS last year. They examine the sovereignty narrative promoted by the military regimes and the risk of growing public frustration as economic and security conditions stagnate. They also talk about the jihadist coalition JNIM, which has stepped up attacks on towns and cities in the region. They explore the group's goals, leadership and the, for now, seemingly remote prospect of talks as military leaders prioritise military operations. Finally, they touch on how the AES countries' foreign relations may evolve amid shifting regional dynamics.For more, check out our EU Watchlist entry “Defining a New Approach to the Sahel's Military-led States” and our Sahel project page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After a health break, we return in this episode to consider the Nigerian president's report card halfway through his term. Is he the bold liberalising force Nigeria, nay Africa, has been waiting for? What can be said of the achievements and limitations of Tinubu's domestic and foreign policy direction, two years into his tenure? We discuss his efforts in comparison to his predecessor and in the context of Nigeria's 40 year romance with neoliberalism.The conversation also considers BAT's foreign policy achievements and mishaps, especially in respect to the emergence of AES, his stance at the head of ECOWAS and his relationships with Washington and Paris. We also examine the possible oppositions to his re-election and the possibility of the rise of a popular mass movement against another tenure. Why isn't Tinubu easier to oppose? How much more neoliberal can we get? Who will survive in these Tinubu times? Listen and find out what we think.
Hospital services in Ghana grind to a halt after a nurses' strike escalatesWhat are the implications of Afreximbank's credit rating being lowered to one notch above junkAnd will Ecowas ever realise its dream of a borderless region?Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne and Tom Kavanagh in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Irene Horejs in conversation with João CravinhoAFTER THE VIOLENT DIVORCE: WHAT APPROACH TO EU-SAHEL RELATIONS?The relations of the EU with Central Sahelian States took a dramatic turn in recent years. After a decade of conflict against insurgencies and jihadist groups and amidst an ever deepening security, economic and humanitarian crisis, the armies of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger seized power by a series of coup d'états in 2021, 2022 and 2023 prompting harsh reactions by the West and the organization of West African States ECOWAS. The Sahelian military juntas reacted by ousting French troupes – until then their main supporters in the fight against Jihadists – forced the withdrawal of the UN peace keeping mission MINUSMA and the EU civil military missions and engaged with Russia for military support. They also withdrew from ECOWAS and created a new regional body “the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES)”. France in turn suspended all its cooperation, other EU Member states did likewise and the EU stopped budget support operations which had made up as much as 80% of the national budget in the case of Niger.Many predicted the collapse of the new regimes after the withdrawal of Western military and financial support. Yet, despite a worsening security and economic situation and increasingly authoritarian rule, the military juntas and their narrative of sovereignty seem to continue enjoying popular trust, especially among the urban youth.Given the multiple strategic interests in the region, EU Member States largely agree on the need to remain engaged with the 3 countries in Central Sahel and tighten relations with the other states in the wider Sahel. The discussion turns about how to approach relations, how to materialize this engagement and how to contain expansion of Russian and Turkish influence in this region, which is so close to the EU´s southern neighborhood.João Gomes Cravinho was appointed European Union Special Representative for the Sahel on 1st of December, 2024 and is responsible to support the definition and implementation of such new approach. He was Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs (2022 – 2024), Minister of Defense of Portugal (2018 – 2022) and had previously served as EU Ambassador to India and to Brazil and as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Portuguese government. Welcome:Georg Lennkh, member of the Board, former Austrian Special Envoy for Africa (2005-2010)Moderation:Irene Horejs, former EU Ambassador to Niger and Mali
Merger control and antitrust enforcement continues to develop rapidly in Africa. What is happening in the key jurisdictions of Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria and COMESA? John Oxenham, lawyer at Primerio, and Nicolas Bremer, lawyer at Bremer, join Matthew Hall to discuss developments. Listen to this episode to learn more about the status of African antitrust and merger control enforcement generally and these jurisdictions specifically. With special guests: John Oxenham, partner, Primerio and Nicolas Bremer, partner, Bremer Related Links: COMESA Competition Commission website ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority website Egyptian Competition Authority website The Competition Commission website (South Africa) Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission website (Nigeria) Hosted by: Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods London LLP
Shirin na wannan mako ya duba bikin cikar kungiyar ECOWAS shekaru 50 da kafuwa, da sauran manyan labaran da suka wakana a wannan mako. Ku danna alamar saurare domin jin cikaken shirin tare da Nura Ado Sulaiman.
Yayin ake ci gaba da bikin cika shekaru 50 da kafa Ƙungiyar Haɓaka Tattalin Arzikin Kasashen Yammacin Afrika ECOWAS/CEDEAO, a wannan karo za mu yi dubi a game da wasu daga cikin muhimman ayyukan da ƙungiyar ta yi a fagen yaƙi da rashawa. Bashir Ibrahim Idris ya tattauna Dr Abdullahi Shehu, tsohon jakadan Najeriya a Rasha, kuma wanda ya jagora hukumar ta GIABA tsawon shekaru 8. Ku latsa alamar sauti don sauraron tattaunawar tasu...........
Ranar 28 ga watan Mayu, wato gobe Laraba kenan, Ƙungiyar Raya Tattalin Arzikin Ƙasashen Yammacin Afrika ECOWAS, ke cika shekaru 50 da kafuwa.An dai samar da ƙungiyar ne cikin watan Mayun shekarar 1975 a birnin Legas, inda a wacccan lokacin ta ƙunshi ƙasashe 15. A tsawon lokacin da ta shafe bayan kafuwarta, ECOWAS ta taka rawa muhimmiyar rawa ta fuskar tsaro, ciki kuwa har da kawo ƙarshen yaƙe-yaƙen da suka nemi wargaza ƙasashen Saliyo da Liberia. Kan haka ne kuma Bashir Ibrahim Idris ya tattauna da, Air Comodore Tijjani Baba Gamawa ɗaya daga cikin sojojin da suka bayar da gudunmawa a waccan lokaci.
Kungiyar kasashen Afirka ta Yamma ta ECOWAS ta bayyana shirin kafa sabuwar rundunar hadin kai wadda za ta dinga yaki da yan ta'addan da suka addabi yankin. Wannan na da cikin shirin shugabannin yankin na dakile ayyukan ta'addanci, da suka ƙi ci suka ƙi cinyewa.Bashir Ibrahim Idris ya tattauna da Janar Kape Alwali Kazir mai ritaya a dangane da wannan shiri.Shiga alamar sauti, domin sauraron cikakkiyar tattaunawar.
Joint military action between Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria suppressed Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. But the fragmentation of the ECOWAS multinational grouping and difficulties in the countries' ability to protect civilians has led to a resurgence of the Islamist group in northern Cameroon.
Today's HeadlinesLocal repeal of blasphemy laws unlikely in Nigeria's Kano StateHope for Algerian ChristiansWho do people say that I am? A Muslim's journey to discovering the Lordship of Christ
Majalisar dokokin ƙungiyar ƙasashen ECOWAS ta gudanar da taron ta a Lome da ke ƙasar Togo, wanda ya mayar da hankali kan tsadar sufurin jiragen sama a yankin. Bayan taron, Bashir Ibrahim Idris ya tattauna da Sanata Ali Muhammed Ndume, daya daga cikin shugabannin taron. Ku latsa alamar sauti don jin cikakkiyar tattaunawar tasu.............
De Sahel-regio raakt geopolitiek steeds meer ondergesneeuwd door de oorlog in Oekraïne, Trumps onnavolgbare politiek en de conflicten in het Midden-Oosten. Toch is meer aandacht voor de Sahel-regio broodnodig. Het behoort immers tot de achtertuin van Europa. Als geopolitiek microkosmos weerspiegelt de Sahel de grote geopolitieke veranderingen in de wereld, onder andere: Frankrijk verliest terrein en een agressief Rusland rukt op.In deze aflevering behandelen wij deze geopolitieke microkosmos met Mirjam de Bruijn, hoogleraar Afrikanistiek. Wij zijn erg blij en trots dat Mirjam de Bruijn zich zal verbinden aan Haagsch Instituut GeopolitiekNu, en regio-updates over de Sahel zal schrijven en vaker langs zal komen in de podcast.Link naar Voice for thoughts: https://voice4thought.org/Meer weten over Afrika? Dan bevelen we De Africast van harte aan! Te beluisteren via: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jJpzd7TxJJTyYHz5LqhHo?si=RdQV8Ul5Sq2h90TcqCdRMgAl jarenlang bespreken zij de grote ontwikkelingen op het gebied van economie, cultuur en politieke in Afrika.
ECOWAS, West Africa's regional bloc, is 50 years old. To mark the historic milestone, Ghana's capital, Accra, hosted an event. However, the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the bloc has been considered a blow. So, how can ECOWAS make amends and remain relevant? DW's Josephine Mahachi talks to Dr. Samuel Afriyie, a political analyst, and DW's Isaac Kaledzi in Accra.
Join us this Thursday morning for an enlightening experience with the Master Teacher, Ashra Kwesi. Brother Kwesi will delve into the story of the Resurrection from a Kemetic perspective, revealing how many narratives surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection have deep roots in the traditions of our ancestors. He will also explore intriguing rituals associated with Easter, including the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs, shedding light on their significance and origins. Before Brother Kwesi’s presentation, we’ll hear from Lincoln University Professor Gnake Lagoke, who will provide critical updates on the recent developments in the Sahel nations and ECOWAS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rikici tsakanin Mali da Aljeriya na cigaba da ɗaukar saban salo, tun bayan da Aljeriya ta kakkaɓo wani jirgin sojin Mali mara matuƙi a kan iyakar ƙasashen biyu a farko makon jiya. Sai dai wani batu da ya baiwa kowa mamaki shi ne, yadda Nijar ta shigo cikin rikicin a matsayinta na mamba a ƙungiyar AES, wato saban kawance da ƙasashen Mali, Burkina Faso da Nijar suka kafa bayan ficewrasu daga ECOWAS.Umar Sani ya tattauna da Abdoul Moumouni Abass mai sharhi kan siyasar ƙasa da ƙasa.Shiga alamar sauti, domin sauraron cikakkiyar tattaunawar.
Somalia offers the US full control over the airbase and port of Berbera in SomalilandThe juntas in West Africa impose tariffs on imported goods from Ecowas countries - what effect will this have.Can music cheer up Sierra Leone - reportedly one of the most unhappy places on the globe? Rapper Drizilik thinks so.Presenter: Wahiga Mwaura Producers: Bella Hassan, Daniel Dadzie and Yvette Twagiramariya Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS, has introduced a standby force that could serve as a regional shield, ready to respond to crises. But what does this really mean for West Africa? Josey Mahachi talks to a Nigerian Lawyer, Kajit John Bagu, the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation for the Movement for Cognitive Justice in Kaduna Nigeria and DW's Correspondent Ben Adam Shemang in Abuja.
In January, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, having already established the Alliance of Sahel States, or AES, as an alternative regional grouping. The move has had a multitude of consequences, including ongoing diplomatic spats between the AES states and those that remain committed to ECOWAS, as well as challenges to trade and freedom of movement across the region. But the security implications of the fracturing of ECOWAS as a regional bloc are also important to consider, as West Africa faces an array of challenges that are increasingly affecting what are usually thought of as the region's more stable coastal countries, such as Senegal, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. All three of the military-run AES states face long-running jihadist and domestic insurgencies, including armed groups with links to the Islamic State and al-Qaida. Most prominent among them are the Islamic State-Sahel Province and Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, which is affiliated with al-Qaida and is also active in northern Cote d'Ivoire, Benin and Togo. These groups have been active throughout the Sahel for over a decade, typically exploiting local grievances and intercommunal tensions, particularly between farmers and pastoralists as well as against the Peuhl community, which is often portrayed as being sympathetic to the jihadists. The jihadists mobilize these tensions to stoke conflict and recruit among marginalized communities in a broader effort to seize territory and create an Islamic caliphate in the Sahel and West Africa. These groups have targeted civilians and government forces alike, and their attacks have often been tactically sophisticated and significant in impact. In August 2024, for instance, an attack by JNIM in Barsalogho, in northern Burkina Faso, killed around 600 people. And in November 2023, an ambush in Niger's Tillaberi region killed at least 200 soldiers and wounded at least 34 others. Jihadist violence has increased at an accelerating rate in recent years, killing 11,643 people across the Sahel in 2023, a 43 percent increase from the previous year and a threefold increase since 2020, according to the African Centre for Strategic Studies. It has also increasingly spilled over into coastal West African states, with Ghana, Togo, Benin and Cote d'Ivoire all now threatened by these groups as well, albeit to a much lesser extent than the Sahelian states. In Togo, an attack on an army barracks last year killed 12 soldiers, for instance, and JNIM is increasingly fortifying its positions near the borders of Togo and Benin. The problems posed by insecurity are exacerbated by the refugee crisis that violence in the Sahel is causing. By early 2025, nearly 87,000 people had fled their homes in the Sahel into coastal countries. This has put a strain on local communities, especially in Cote d'Ivoire, where nearly 58,000 of the refugees have fled. The rampant insecurity has also fueled political instability, with the three AES states having experienced a combined five coups between 2020 and 2023. The ECOWAS split could exacerbate many of these security challenges, not least because it has created or exacerbated tensions between many countries that have remained in ECOWAS and those that have left. In the past 12-18 months, for instance, Cote d'Ivoire, known as a staunch defender of ECOWAS, and neighboring Burkina Faso have engaged in repeated diplomatic spats linked to mutual fears of destabilization as well as Burkina Faso's rejection of the region's and ECOWAS' historical pro-Western leanings. Gun battles and disputes at the border between Burkinabe and Ivoirian troops have become common, with Ivoirian gendarmes having even been detained in Burkina Faso. Earlier this year Burkina Faso withdrew its diplomatic personnel from Cote d'Ivoire. These disputes have increased instability on the two countries' shared border, exacerbating tensions driven by an inflow of Burk...
On Daybreak: Somali officials say security forces have ended a 24-hour siege at a hotel in the central city of Beledwyne killing all attackers. Plus, Angola announces new peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels as SADC leaders meet Thursday. The Islamic State in the Sahel expands terror threat beyond its strongholds. IGAD urges South Sudan to release detained officials and relax security. ECOWAS activates its counter-terror standby force. A look at Ramadan celebrations in Morocco. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!
The Ecowas countries are aiming to roll out a regional single currency - the Eco - in 2027. But past launch dates have come and gone, so will they meet the new target date and will a single currency work?Malawi's agriculture minister refutes the claim that a global decline in tobacco use is affecting farmers in the country. But is his government also helping tobacco farmers to diversify?And South Africa is running out of snake antivenom. What does that mean not only for South Africa, but other countries on the continent?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Three West African countries - Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso - have finalized their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Another thing they have in common? All three countries are under junta rule after military coups that took place in recent years. They have since formed their own union - the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Why have these three countries exited ECOWAS, and is this a crisis point for the regional bloc? Catherine Nzuki is joined by Beverly Ochieng, Senior Analyst for Francophone Africa at Control Risks, and a Senior Associate with the CSIS Africa Program, to unpack these questions and more. They discuss the state of politics and security in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso (1:30); why the leaders of these military juntas are popular at home and across Africa (4:40); what drove the decision to exit ECOWAS and what this means for unity in the region (7:37); how the AES is using arts, culture, and media to self-legitimize; (20:00); how the pan-African, decolonial rhetoric of the leaders of AES is translating into their governance choices (24:11); if the AES confederation is strong enough to weather rough international winds on their own (28:49); the state of Africa's legacy institutions today and how responsive they are to shifting regional politics and the collapsing post-WWII order (37:15).
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has withdrawn its mediation team from Guinea Bissau. Its mission was to help reach a political consensus on the elections, which were postponed by President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. So will voting, pushed back to later this year, still go ahead?A BBC investigation finds that young women in Kenya are being lured into sexual exploitation on TikTok. Is the social media platform doing enough to keep users safe?And former South African football star, Benni McCarthy, is Kenya's new head coach. Is the appointment of Africans to lead African teams now an established trend?Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
On Daybreak Africa: M23 fighters have abducted at least 130 people from hospitals in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's city of Goma, the United Nations said. Plus, Gabon's military leader announces a run for the presidency in April's elections. Namibia lays to rest its founding president. Guinea's government tries to reduce prices of foods during Ramadan but without success. Humanitarian organizations are looking for non-traditional funding to ease the pain of those in conflict areas. ECOWAS explains the reason for a weekend mission to Guinea Bissau. We'll hear the views of some Nigerians on what they say President Trump and U.S law makers should know about Africa. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!
An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been explaining the purpose of a delegation to Guinea Bissau over the weekend. Abdel Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security, says the delegation's purpose was to seek a consensus between President Omaro Sissoco Embalo and the opposition on when to hold peaceful and credible elections. He tells VOA's James Butty, the bone of contention is the legality of what opponents say is Embalo's continuous stay in power
In this episode, Loye and Fola discuss the crisis in Goma, Congo; ECOWAS turning 50 and its future; and Nigeria shooting itself in the foot.01:12 The Crisis in Goma15:41 ECOWAS @ 50 and the Alliance of Sahelian States28:11 Nigeria – one step forward, two steps backhttps://www.instagram.com/thebrief.xyz/
The military-led governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have officially left ECOWAS. We look at what led to the fallout, how ECOWAS tried to get them back, and why this matters for the future of West Africa. DW's Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, who is the ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.
Erin & Jake break down Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, and who these tariffs actually punish in the end. Then they look at the meeting of European leaders in Brussels to iron out some defense spending things before Trump's Tariff Train comes to town. They close out the big stories talking through what it means that military-led Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger just left ECOWAS, and its impact on West African politics. Then in Have You Heard headlines, they go through the rest of the week's stories to keep you in the know about what else is happening out there in the world. This podcast turns into an article summary at each week's episode over on Substack. We'd love for you to subscribe! You can also follow us on Instagram (@staywithmeherepod), Facebook, or Bluesky (@swmhpod.bsky.social).Stay With Me Here is an independent project, and all views and opinions expressed in this show, and in this writeup, represent our personal views and not that of any organization we're affiliated with. Erin Flanagan is a former U.S. Coast Guard intelligence officer and Agence France-Presse digital investigations journalist.Jacob Shropshire is an editorial intern at Worldcrunch and the managing editor of Peacock Media at the American University of Paris. He spent two years working for Democratic political campaigns in the US.
The military governments of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Your Nightly Prayer
Despite Europe's largest economy shrinking again in 2024, Sam Fenwick hears from the boss of toymaker Ravensburger, which is bucking the wider trend. Plus, what does leaving ECOWAS mean for Mali's economy? We ask a former foreign minister. Also, an American business lobbyist gives her take on whether or not President Trump will introduce tariffs on 1 February.
An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says democracy remains a core value of the regional body. At the same time, Abdel Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security, says the regional body wants to understand what drove Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to military rule. The three countries formally withdrew from the organization on Wednesday. Fatau Musa tells VOA's James Butty, ECOWAS, which celebrates 50 years of its founding this year, vows to review its policies and improve its successes and challenge
On Daybreak Africa: Congo says it will seek to recover lost territory as Rwanda-backed rebels take more cities. Plus, the city of Goma in eastern DRC was slowly returning to some normalcy on Wednesday under M23 control. The AU demands a halt to fighting in eastern DRC amid regional peace efforts. Guinea's military junta demands a January 31st deadline for political parties to hold conventions or be banned. A look at the impact on Africa of the U.S. pause in foreign aid for 90 days. ECOWAS vows to review its policies and improve its successes and challenges as three members leave the sub-regional body. President Trump pushes to end birthright citizenship. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough questions from senators at his confirmation hearing Wednesday to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship in the U.S. has started a legal and political debate about the 14th Amendment and executive power. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has formally recognized the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions.
#AFRICA: ECOWAS crumbles; Rwanda attacks; Africa Alone. Gregory Copley, Defense & Foreign Affairs 1962 Rwanda
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AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on the official exit of three west African nations from the ECOWAS group.
World news in 7 minutes. Thursday 30th January 2025.Today: India festival stampede. Australia antisemitic attack. S Korea plane fire. UK runway plan. Sweden prison. S Sudan plane crash. Congo mercenaries. ECOWAS leavers. Colombia deportees. Mexico Sheinbaum Google. US Venezuelans protection. NASA Bennu discoveries.With Juliet MartinSEND7 is supported by our amazing listeners like you.Our supporters get access to the transcripts written by us every day.Our supporters get access to an English worksheet made by us once per week. Our supporters get access to our weekly news quiz made by us once per week. We give 10% of our profit to Effective Altruism charities. You can become a supporter at send7.org/supportContact us at podcast@send7.org or send an audio message at speakpipe.com/send7Please leave a rating on Apple podcasts or Spotify.We don't use AI! Every word is written and recorded by us!Since 2020, SEND7 (Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes) has been telling the most important world news stories in intermediate English. Every day, listen to the most important stories from every part of the world in slow, clear English. Whether you are an intermediate learner trying to improve your advanced, technical and business English, or if you are a native speaker who just wants to hear a summary of world news as fast as possible, join Stephen Devincenzi, Ben Mallett and Juliet Martin every morning. Transcripts, worksheets and our weekly world news quiz are available for our amazing supporters at send7.org. Simple English News Daily is the perfect way to start your day, by practising your listening skills and understanding complicated stories in a simple way. It is also highly valuable for IELTS and TOEFL students. Students, teachers, TEFL teachers, and people with English as a second language, tell us that they use SEND7 because they can learn English through hard topics, but simple grammar. We believe that the best way to improve your spoken English is to immerse yourself in real-life content, such as what our podcast provides. SEND7 covers all news including politics, business, natural events and human rights. Whether it is happening in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas or Oceania, you will hear it on SEND7, and you will understand it.For more information visit send7.org/contact or send an email to podcast@send7.org
Matangazo ya nusu saa kuhusu habari za mapema asubuhi pamoja na habari za michezo.
Happy New Year and welcome to the latest episode of AfriCan Geopardy. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of ECOWAS as it marks 50 years of fostering regional integration and development in West Africa. The discussion explores the transition from an "ECOWAS of States" to an "ECOWAS of the People," with our guest, Her Excellency, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah highlighting the strides made in promoting economic cooperation, peace, and security. We examined the challenges of making ECOWAS more people-centered, its role in addressing pressing regional issues, and the vision for the next 50 years. The discussion would not have been complete if we did not talk about the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to leave the Community. Join us for an engaging conversation about the past, present, and future of this vital regional bloc.#ECOWASofthepeople
As 2025 begins, Africa confronts significant challenges to its growth and development. Instability in the Sahel highlights the waning influence of ECOWAS and France's diminished military presence, while conflicts in Eastern DRC are intensified by Rwanda and Uganda's backing of the M23 rebel group. In Sudan, the U.S. has recognized the severity of the crisis through a genocide declaration and sanctions, but doubts linger about its long-term commitment. Meanwhile, Mozambique grapples with an insurgency in Cabo Delgado and election-related violence, further adding to the continent's volatility. These pressing issues await the incoming Trump administration, as U.S. policy toward Africa continues to struggle with a gap between rhetoric and action. Addressing this requires a practical approach—one that engages flexibly with Africa's diverse governments and navigates the complexities of the continent's evolving geopolitical landscape. Such a shift is vital to effectively tackling Africa's challenges and capitalizing on its opportunities. Mvemba and Julian Pecquet, United States correspondent for the Africa Report, examine the complexities of U.S.-Africa relations amid pressing geopolitical challenges and a transition to a new U.S. administration. The discussion underscores Africa's growing strategic importance, shaped by both its crises and opportunities.
Join us for an insightful session with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jerome E. Fox, returning to our classroom! Dr. Fox is the author of the acclaimed workbook, "Addicted to White: The Oppressed in League with the Oppressor - A Shame-Based Alliance," where he reveals the antidote for overcoming this addiction. Before Dr. Fox takes the mic; Central Florida Investigative Reporter Jeff Gallop will provide updates on his latest stories and engage us in a vital conversation about national politics. We’ll also hear from Dr. Gnaka Lagoke, a respected Lincoln University professor who will discuss the ongoing rift between the Sahel nations and certain ECOWAS countries. The Big Show starts at 6 am ET, 5 am CT, 3 am PT, and 11 am BST Listen Live on WOL 95.9 FM & 1450 AM, woldcnews.com, the WOL DC NEWS app, WOLB 1010 AM or wolbbaltimore.com. Call 800 450 7876 to participate on The Carl Nelson Show! Tune in every morning to join the conversation and learn more about issues impacting our community. All programs are available for free on your favorite podcast platform. Follow the programs on Twitter & Instagram and watch your Black Ideas come to life!✊
Argentina, for a long time one of the world's most troubled economies, has seen its economy grow. Could this be the end of years of economic crisis? We'll take a look at whether that growth is sustainable and delve into how much of it is to do with the radical policies of the country's president Javier Milei. Also today, we consider what the future holds for the ECOWAS trading bloc in West Africa, as three countries formally file to leave.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We'd love to hear from you!
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months to reconsider their decision to leave the regional bloc. The decision came Sunday at the end of an ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria. The three countries formed their own confederation and were slated to withdraw on January 29, 2025. Abdel Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security. tells VOA's James Butty ECOWAS wants to give diplomacy another try.
On Daybreak Africa: A gang of gunmen kidnapped more than 50 women and children in a raid on Kakin Dawa village in Nigeria's northwest Zamfara state, police and residents said. Plus, Zambia's Constitutional Court declares former President Lungu ineligible to run in the 2026 presidential elections. The Zambian government says it has no role in the Constitutional Court's decision. The dispute in Liberia's divided House of Representatives over the speakership took a dramatic turn on Monday. A UN program empowers Africa's public workers to use online technology to improve government services. An ECOWAS official says the conduct of Ghana's December 7 election marks the beauty of democracy in the subregion. Traditional healers embrace technology in South Africa. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!
An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has described the conduct of the December 7 election in Ghana as the beauty of democracy. Abdel Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security, tells VOA's James Butty, recent elections in Ghana, Liberia, and Senegal are proof that the people of the sub-region prefer democracy over military rule
In this episode of The Horn, guest host Murithi Mutiga is joined by Hanna Tetteh, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa. They discuss the challenges of peacemaking in Africa amid regional conflicts and a shifting global order. They talk about the state of the African Union and how it can become more effective in resolving conflicts across the continent. They discuss why mediation efforts have yielded little success in Sudan and ways to strengthen diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict. They discuss ECOWAS as a model for regional integration and how the West African bloc can preserve unity amid recent tensions with Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. They touch on the implications of a second Trump presidency on UN funding and U.S.-Africa policy. They also reflect on Ghana's successful transition from military rule to a stable democracy. This episode is produced in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.For more on the topics discussed in this episode, check out our Hold Your Fire! podcast episode Trump in Africa, and our Africa program page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says the regional body has confidence in the democratic tradition of Ghana. Abdel Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security, says all parties have assured ECOWAS that the December 7 general election will be free, fair and credible. Ambassador Musa tells VOA's James Butty, Ghana's years of democracy include nine unbroken regular elections and the peaceful transfer of political power