Justice Edward Asante, the former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, has been elected to the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Human Rights Council. This was in a statement by Justice Asante’s office at the Community Court’s headquarters on Thursday in Abuja. The advisory committee is an 18-member think-tank of the United Nations agency. Membership of the advisory committee requires a candidate with an understanding of international human rights mechanisms, a proven track record of impartial decision-making, and the diplomatic acumen to transverse intricate terrains. “Justice Asante, who is currently a judge of Ghana’s Court of Appeal and…
Author: Montage Africa
By Agencies In a sudden move, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed the current military chief after just three months in the role and reinstated his predecessor, Paul Nang Majok, who was removed in July. The announcement was made via the state broadcaster, without any public explanation. The former chief, Dau Aturjong, has been reassigned as a technical adviser to the defense ministry. This reshuffle is the latest in a pattern of frequent changes in the country’s military and government leadership. Analysts interpret President Kiir’s decision as a maneuver to maintain control over competing factions amid growing internal tensions and…
By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies Mali’s transitional leader, General Assimi Goïta, has formally dismissed a dozen high-ranking military personnel for their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in August, according to a presidential decree made public this Wednesday. The decree, dated October 7, names several senior officers dismissed from the armed and security forces as a disciplinary measure. Among them are two brigadier generals—Abass Dembélé and Nema Sagara—along with multiple lieutenant colonels and captains. The move confirms the severe internal challenges facing the military-led government as it consolidates power. Link to August coup attempt The dismissed individuals were…
By Rédaction Africanews and AP There were celebrations in the Gaza Strip on Thursday after Israel and Hamas announced they’d agreed to the first phase of a US-proposed peace plan. It is a major breakthrough in the war and comes just days after the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on southern Israel when militants killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 others. Under the plan, Hamas will release all 20 living hostages in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza. Even before the deal has been…
Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has announced plans to include Swahili, the lingua franca of East Africa in the country’s national curriculum. This marks a major step towards strengthening regional integration. The President made the declaration at the ongoing East African Community (EAC) Summit in Mogadishu, where he emphasised the importance of adopting Swahili to foster unity and collaboration within the region. Currently, English serves as the primary medium of instruction across Somalia’s Secondary schools, while Arabic remains the only compulsory second language. However, under the new policy, Swahili will be introduced at both school and university levels. “The country’s…
By Rédaction Africanews with AP Israel and Hamas entered a third day of peace talks in Egypt on Wednesday over the implementation of United States President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza. More senior officials from the US, Israel and mediating countries were expected to join, a sign that negotiators aim to tackle the toughest issues of the American proposal. New members joining the negotiating table include US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as Qatar’s prime minister and top diplomat Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. A…
Members of the Ad hoc Ministerial Committee of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, have convened in Abuja, Nigeria, for a two-day meeting to chart a course for the proposal and allocation of statutory positions for its future appointees from member countries. The rotation of statutory appointees adheres to a principle of cyclical representation among member nations within executive bodies, as delineated in the legal texts and regulations of the regional organization, with each term being non-renewable and lasting four years. Speaking at the opening, the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Umar Touray, said they were committed to ensuring…
The Chadian government has terminated its agreement with African Parks, the conservation organisation responsible for managing two of the country’s protected sites. It cited concerns over poaching and insufficient cooperation as the reason for the termination. Environment Minister Hassan Bakhit Djamous confirmed in an official letter on Monday that the 15-year mandate covering the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, which includes Zakouma and Siniaka-Minia national parks, would end. The ministry said; “the charity had failed to curb poaching effectively and had not fully collaborated with authorities in the management of the reserves.” African Parks, a…
By Bridget UGWE and Jade Levin Africanews presents a series of interviews with candidates running in Cameroon’s presidential election. In this third interview, Cabral Libii, candidate of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), shares his frustration with the current system and lays out his plans for the youth. Cabral Libii, you’re the president of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN). Your candidacy was confirmed after internal tensions within your party. Looking at your background, it’s clear you want to represent a new generation that breaks away from the politics of the past. What makes you ready to lead…
CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Côte d’Ivoire has unveiled a bold US$440 million roadmap to revitalize its oil palm industry, aiming to transform the sector into a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive engine of economic growth. The 10-year strategy, approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and developed by the Rubber-Palm Oil-Coconut Council (CHPC), targets key challenges facing the country’s palm oil value chain. The ministry indicated that this roadmap will be structured around five strategic areas of intervention, to which a staggering 61% of the budget will be directed, to improve yields in village plantations, which form the backbone of the country’s palm…