By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS. 23 August 2023 (IDN) — The United Nations has expressed serious concern over the killings of hundreds of migrants, mostly Ethiopians, crossing war-ravaged Yemen trying to reach Saudi Arabia. “I think trying to stop migration using the barrel of a gun is intolerable,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters on […]
It’s Time to End the ‘Nonsense’ in Niger
By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA. 17 August 2023 (IDN) — Almost everyone, including me, seems opposed to Nigeria leading the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to war in Niger. In one of the most telling anti-war metaphors, a Nigerian columnist and […]
Prize-Winning Documentary Spotlights the People’s President
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 15 August 2023 (IDN) — “I’m president already. I’m president of the ghetto!” exults the subject of “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” midway through the documentary. That’s not exactly how it worked out, but directors Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo’s account of Wine’s 2021 campaign for president […]
Cold War Hawk Takes Over US Response to Expanding Niger Crisis
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 14 August 2023 (IDN) — Less than a year ago, U.S. Ambassador Johnnie Carson was the object of fulsome praises on his appointment as special representative to the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit. “There is no better qualified person to serve in this important, new role,” declared Ambassador George […]
Rioting Breaks Out at Eritrean Festival in Stockholm
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | STOCKHOLM. 7 August 2023 (IDN) — Long-held grievances between anti- and pro-government Eritreans exploded in the streets of Stockholm this past week, amidst an annual festival of Eritrean culture that drew thousands. Eritreans who oppose Pres. Isaias Afwerki tore down tents and set cars on fire, […]
Military Intervention in Troubled Niger Faces Pushback
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 7 August 2023 (IDN) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, as the new head of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), is facing pressure from some neighbors and his own government to reject a military solution to the troubles in Niger, where military men recently removed President […]
Anti-Slavery Campaigner Frederick Douglass’ Statue Unveiled
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 7 August 2023 (IDN) — A statue of anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass is now on display in Belfast city center—“amongst the people he loved.” Douglass gave around 50 speeches in his time in Ireland and could speak for up to two hours without notes. Professor Christine Kinealy, […]
Niger Coup Reflects Anti-French Sentiment in the Region
By Kola King* LAGOS, Nigeria. 6 August 2023 (IDN) — Barely two weeks after President Bola Tinubu made his inaugural speech as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa, ECOWAS during the Africa Union, AU meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya on 16 July, where he excoriated coup plotters and military adventurers who […]
There Is a Lot More to the Coup in Niger Than Meets the Eye
By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA. 3 August 2023 (IDN) — Not only are military coups becoming frighteningly frequent in West and Central Africa, virtually all of them, it appears, also speak French. For the fifth time in three years in West Africa, soldiers […]
Russia-Africa Summit Fortifies ‘Deep-rooted’ Relations
By Somar Wijayadasa* This is the second of a two-part article looking into relations between Russia and Africa, which began long before the massive decolonization of Africa in the 1960s. Here is the link to the first part. NEW YORK. 2 August 2023 (IDN) — The second Russia-Africa summit, which concluded on 28 July in […]