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Culture Re-View: How Zimbabwe got its name<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//01//31//belarus-president-alexander-lukashenko-in-zimbabwe-in-trip-to-further-diplomatic-ties/">Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko in Zimbabwe in trip to further diplomatic ties<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This time around, the EU has sent 150 election observers, and the Carter Center in the US has deployed 30 observers to observe polling, counting, and tabulation on election day.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This presence, together with a nationwide system in which volunteers will count the number of votes cast, should make attempts to steal the elections harder.<\/p>\n<h2>'Patriotic Law', intimidation and violence<\/h2><p>But the opposition have formidable obstacles in their way. Mnangagwa recently imposed the \u201cPatriotic Law\u201d, which threatens anyone who is deemed to be \u201cwilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe\u201d with the death penalty.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This has had a dampening effect on free speech, making opposition politicians and activists fearful of engaging with international media.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Under another new law, NGOs can also be summarily banned, or their leadership replaced, with no recourse to the courts.<\/p>\n<p>The election campaign has been marked by widespread intimidation and violence against opposition supporters, the banning and obstruction of political rallies, and candidates burnt out of their homes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Recently, an opposition campaigner, Tinashe Chitsunge, was brutally murdered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The question may be asked: if democracy is under such sustained attack, how can the rest of the world support the Zimbabwean people?<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//84//15//88//808x539_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg/" alt=\"Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/384x256_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/640x427_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/750x500_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/828x552_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/1080x720_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/1200x800_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/1920x1281_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Opposition supporters are seated ahead of their appearance at the magistrates court, in Harare, August 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The greatest barrier to the election of an alternative government is the capture of the Electoral Commission by Zanu-PF.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0It is currently packed with party supporters, run by a retired army general, who has been accused of passing on voter data to Zanu-PF, which they have used to send campaign text messages to voters.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Such information, needless to say, is not available to the opposition. This has been combined with attempts to deregister opposition candidates, fewer polling stations in districts where the opposition are strong, and a state-controlled media that barely offers airtime to the opposition.<\/p>\n<p>The question may be asked: if democracy is under such sustained attack, how can the rest of the world support the Zimbabwean people?<\/p>\n<h2>Ignoring the issues won't win friends in Africa<\/h2><p>Firstly, we must pressure Western governments not to cave in and legitimise an election that has been stolen.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0China is buying up lithium mines in Zimbabwe\u00a0\u2014 the continent\u2019s largest producer of the mineral\u00a0\u2014 to provide components for batteries in electric cars.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0It, and other authoritarian states, do so with the advantage that they avoid accusations that they are lecturing Africans on human rights.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The West, which also wants access to these resources, may be tempted to mirror this behaviour.<\/p>\n<p>But this would set a terrible precedent. Zimbabwe and its people cannot live better lives until the rule of law is restored, and free and fair elections can legitimately take place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Ignoring extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, summary trials, censorship, bans on assembly, and obvious vote-rigging by Zanu PF, will not atone for past oppression inflicted under colonial rule.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//84//15//88//808x539_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg/" alt=\"Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/384x256_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/640x427_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/750x500_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/828x552_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/1080x720_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/1200x800_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/1920x1281_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A man and a child walk past trees plastered with campaign posters on the streets of Harare, August 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ignoring democratic shortcomings will not win friends for the West in Africa or secure a brighter future for Zimbabweans.<\/p>\n<p>Western countries are understandably nervous about standing in judgement on African politics, given their history of colonialism.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, ignoring extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, summary trials, censorship, bans on assembly, and obvious vote-rigging by Zanu PF, will not atone for past oppression inflicted under colonial rule.<\/p>\n<h2>Democratic voices need to step in<\/h2><p>The elections offer hope to millions of Zimbabweans that there might be a brighter future. And there is reason for some optimism.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In neighbouring Zambia, the political opposition recently managed to win and secure a democratic transition.<\/p>\n<p>Such a path exists for Zimbabwe, in the event of a free and fair election bringing about democratic change.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But to help this come about, it is imperative that the EU, UK, US and other democratic voices, offer a swift plan to ease some of the country\u2019s international debt burdens and help with the democratic transition.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>By doing so, they can help Zimbabwe stand tall and show the rest of Africa that the retreat of democracy is not inevitable.<\/p>\n<p><em>Lord Oates is a member of the UK House of Lords and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe. He taught in rural Zimbabwe in the late 1980s.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/news/\"mailto:view@euronews.com\">view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692784073,"publishedAt":1692785791,"updatedAt":1692785824,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/23\/the-world-must-wake-up-zanu-pf-are-trying-to-steal-the-zimbabwe-election-again","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_34039509-05f6-5bc9-9b9f-1ecdd554b345-7841588.jpg","altText":"Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa greets party supporters at a campaign rally in Harare, August 2023","caption":"Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa greets party supporters at a campaign rally in Harare, August 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_53578fc3-b7ce-52e1-9a5f-a31bed03d5a7-7841588.jpg","altText":"A woman waits outside a polling station in Harare, August 2023","caption":"A woman waits outside a polling station in Harare, August 2023","captionCredit":"Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi\/AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2cae908a-549b-550b-b037-042d0c781482-7841588.jpg","altText":"A man and a child walk past trees plastered with campaign posters on the streets of Harare, August 2023","caption":"A man and a child walk past trees plastered with campaign posters on the streets of Harare, August 2023","captionCredit":"Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi\/AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/84\/15\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a630de8f-6e0c-53d9-81e5-21100f70b1b8-7841588.jpg","altText":"Opposition supporters are seated ahead of their appearance at the magistrates court, in Harare, August 2023","caption":"Opposition supporters are seated ahead of their appearance at the magistrates court, in Harare, August 2023","captionCredit":"Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi\/AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":306,"slug":"zimbabwe","urlSafeValue":"zimbabwe","title":"Zimbabwe","titleRaw":"Zimbabwe"},{"id":25588,"slug":"election","urlSafeValue":"election","title":"Election","titleRaw":"Election"},{"id":13042,"slug":"voting","urlSafeValue":"voting","title":"voting","titleRaw":"voting"},{"id":12581,"slug":"democracy","urlSafeValue":"democracy","title":"Democracy","titleRaw":"Democracy"},{"id":21168,"slug":"rule-of-law","urlSafeValue":"rule-of-law","title":"rule of law","titleRaw":"rule of law"},{"id":4988,"slug":"corruption","urlSafeValue":"corruption","title":"Corruption","titleRaw":"Corruption"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":3},{"slug":"quotation","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Lord Oates, Co-Chair, UK Parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"view","urlSafeValue":"view","title":"View","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/view"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":306,"urlSafeValue":"zimbabwe","title":"Zimbabwe","url":"\/news\/africa\/zimbabwe"},"town":[],"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/23\/the-world-must-wake-up-zanu-pf-are-trying-to-steal-the-zimbabwe-election-again","lastModified":1692785824},{"id":2351210,"cid":7836882,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230821_NWSU_52823684","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Putin was meant to be at a summit in South Africa this week. Why was he asked to stay away?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Putin was supposed to be in South Africa this week. Why won't he be? ","titleListing2":"Putin was meant to be at a summit in South Africa this week. Why was he asked to stay away?","leadin":"Vladimir Putin will be the odd one out when leaders from the BRICS economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa meet in Johannesburg this week.","summary":"Vladimir Putin will be the odd one out when leaders from the BRICS economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa meet in Johannesburg this week.","url":"putin-was-meant-to-be-at-a-summit-in-south-africa-this-week-why-was-he-asked-to-stay-away","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"While all the others are set to attend the meetings in person, Putin will dial in on a video call. \n\nThe reason? An International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for the Russian president put summit host South Africa in a sticky situation and ultimately resulted in Putin staying at home. \n\nHere's what is expected when the group of emerging economies holds three days of meetings starting Tuesday in South Africa's biggest city and financial hub. \n\nPutin dials in\u00a0 \n\nAll the leaders from the BRICS countries traditionally attend its summits, and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is making a rare trip overseas to be at the bloc\u2019s first in-person summit since before the COVID-19 pandemic. \n\nBut Putin's indictment by the International Criminal Court in March charging him with war crimes over the removal of children from Ukraine left South Africa with a significant diplomatic conundrum. \n\nSouth Africa and Russia share strong ties and have a historically close relationship, but South Africa is also a signatory to the international court's treaty. That meant it would be obliged to arrest Putin on the ICC warrant if he set foot on South African soil. \n\nSouth Africa lobbied for months ahead of the summit to persuade Putin to stay at home so it could avoid the problem, South African officials say. South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said last month that Putin was determined to come before an agreement for him to participate virtually was finally announced. \n\n\u201cIt\u2019s almost like you invite your friend to your house, and then arrest them,\" Mashatile said at the time. \"That\u2019s why for us his not coming is the best solution. The Russians are not happy, though. They want him to come.\u201d \n\nThe Kremlin didn't say if Putin had been intending to travel to South Africa, but stressed he would still play a key role in the main summit meeting Wednesday and address the delegates on a video link. \n\n\u201cWe are talking about full-fledged participation,\u201d Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. \"This will include a speech by the president and, if necessary, participation in an exchange of views.\u201d \n\nSome seeking a bigger BRICS \n\nThe main discussion will be over expanding the five-nation bloc. \n\nChina and Russia are in favour of a bigger BRICS and are seen to be pushing for that. Nearly two dozen countries have applied to become new members, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Argentina, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. \n\nBut BRICS is a consensus-based organization, and all five members must agree on the principle of expansion and the criteria for new members before it can decide on who gets to join. \n\nBrazil, India and South Africa are seen as less keen on expansion, fearing their voices might get diluted, but the bloc is moving ahead and the five leaders are expected to review proposals on the criteria for expansion. \n\nIf the policy is given the go-ahead, a bigger BRICS might be seen as an opportunity for China and Russia to extend their influence. \n\nRelations with the West\u00a0 \n\nThe possible BRICS expansion is seen by some as part of China and Russia\u2019s effort to challenge the Group of 7 major industrial nations and other Western international institutions. \n\nThe bloc insists its focus is not against the West but on looking out for the developing world\u2019s interests. \n\nStill, BRICS has openly criticised what it calls Western dominance of global governance and financial institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to the detriment of the developing world. \n\nThe group's New Development Bank has a stated policy of trying to encourage more trade in local currencies and a move away from the dollar. \n\nAnd BRICS has provided a forum for Chinese and Russian officials to sometimes lambast the West. \n\nSouth Africa, the current chair of BRICS, says that doesn't mean the bloc is taking an anti-West turn under the influence of China and Russia amid increased West-East geopolitical tensions. \n\n\u201cThere\u2019s an unfortunate narrative being developed that BRICS is anti-West, that BRICS was created as competition to the G-7 or the Global North, and that is incorrect,\" said Anil Sooklal, South Africa\u2019s ambassador to BRICS. \u201cWhat we do seek is to advance the agenda of the Global South.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>While all the others are set to attend the meetings in person, Putin will dial in on a video call.<\/p>\n<p>The reason? An International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for the Russian president put summit host South Africa in a sticky situation and ultimately resulted in Putin staying at home.<\/p>\n<p>Here's what is expected when the group of emerging economies holds three days of meetings starting Tuesday in South Africa's biggest city and financial hub.<\/p>\n<h3>Putin dials in<\/h3><p>All the leaders from the BRICS countries traditionally attend its summits, and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is making a rare trip overseas to be at the bloc\u2019s first in-person summit since before the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>But Putin's indictment by the International Criminal Court in March charging him with war crimes over the removal of children from Ukraine left South Africa with a significant diplomatic conundrum.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//83//68//82//808x539_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg/" alt=\"Kristina Kormilitsyna/Sputnik\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/384x256_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/640x427_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/750x500_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/828x552_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/1080x720_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/1200x800_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/1920x1281_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Russian President Vladimir Putin stands in a railway carriage exploring the Manezh Metro Station exhibition in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, August 17, 2023.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Kristina Kormilitsyna/Sputnik<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>South Africa and Russia share strong ties and have a historically close relationship, but South Africa is also a signatory to the international court's treaty. That meant it would be obliged to arrest Putin on the ICC warrant if he set foot on South African soil.<\/p>\n<p>South Africa lobbied for months ahead of the summit to persuade Putin to stay at home so it could avoid the problem, South African officials say. South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said last month that Putin was determined to come before an agreement for him to participate virtually was finally announced.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s almost like you invite your friend to your house, and then arrest them,\" Mashatile said at the time. \"That\u2019s why for us his not coming is the best solution. The Russians are not happy, though. They want him to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7829700\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//21//ukraine-and-russia-tussle-for-attention-and-influence-at-brics-summit/">Ukraine and Russia tussle for attention and influence at BRICS summit<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Kremlin didn't say if Putin had been intending to travel to South Africa, but stressed he would still play a key role in the main summit meeting Wednesday and address the delegates on a video link.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are talking about full-fledged participation,\u201d Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. \"This will include a speech by the president and, if necessary, participation in an exchange of views.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Some seeking a bigger BRICS<\/h3><p>The main discussion will be over expanding the five-nation bloc.<\/p>\n<p>China and Russia are in favour of a bigger BRICS and are seen to be pushing for that. Nearly two dozen countries have applied to become new members, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Argentina, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n<p>But BRICS is a consensus-based organization, and all five members must agree on the principle of expansion and the criteria for new members before it can decide on who gets to join.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-euronews\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//embed//2346648/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Brazil, India and South Africa are seen as less keen on expansion, fearing their voices might get diluted, but the bloc is moving ahead and the five leaders are expected to review proposals on the criteria for expansion.<\/p>\n<p>If the policy is given the go-ahead, a bigger BRICS might be seen as an opportunity for China and Russia to extend their influence.<\/p>\n<h3>Relations with the West<\/h3><p>The possible BRICS expansion is seen by some as part of China and Russia\u2019s effort to challenge the Group of 7 major industrial nations and other Western international institutions.<\/p>\n<p>The bloc insists its focus is not against the West but on looking out for the developing world\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n<p>Still, BRICS has openly criticised what it calls Western dominance of global governance and financial institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to the detriment of the developing world.<\/p>\n<p>The group's New Development Bank has a stated policy of trying to encourage more trade in local currencies and a move away from the dollar.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7825908\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//18//spies-like-us-how-does-russias-intelligence-network-operate-across-europe/">Spies like us: How does Russia's intelligence network operate across Europe?<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And BRICS has provided a forum for Chinese and Russian officials to sometimes lambast the West.<\/p>\n<p>South Africa, the current chair of BRICS, says that doesn't mean the bloc is taking an anti-West turn under the influence of China and Russia amid increased West-East geopolitical tensions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s an unfortunate narrative being developed that BRICS is anti-West, that BRICS was created as competition to the G-7 or the Global North, and that is incorrect,\" said Anil Sooklal, South Africa\u2019s ambassador to BRICS. \u201cWhat we do seek is to advance the agenda of the Global South.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692626423,"publishedAt":1692647786,"updatedAt":1692648184,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/21\/putin-was-meant-to-be-at-a-summit-in-south-africa-this-week-why-was-he-asked-to-stay-away","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a8faf125-7061-512b-b292-5550b8f0a836-7836882.jpg","altText":"President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands in St Petersburg, Russia, July 27, 2023.","caption":"President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands in St Petersburg, Russia, July 27, 2023.","captionCredit":"Sergei Bobylev\/TASS Host Photo Agency","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fa906135-5db0-5fea-ae1d-2063b337279a-7836882.jpg","altText":"Russian President Vladimir Putin stands in a railway carriage exploring the Manezh Metro Station exhibition in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, August 17, 2023.","caption":"Russian President Vladimir Putin stands in a railway carriage exploring the Manezh Metro Station exhibition in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, August 17, 2023.","captionCredit":"Kristina Kormilitsyna\/Sputnik","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/68\/78\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_749dc5ee-d486-5641-b787-331eb9d0b8f7-7836878.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"Denis Farrell\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":704}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":8263,"slug":"vladimir-putin","urlSafeValue":"vladimir-putin","title":"Vladimir Putin","titleRaw":"Vladimir Putin"},{"id":11730,"slug":"sergei-lavrov","urlSafeValue":"sergei-lavrov","title":"Sergei Lavrov","titleRaw":"Sergei Lavrov"},{"id":4248,"slug":"johannesburg","urlSafeValue":"johannesburg","title":"Johannesburg","titleRaw":"Johannesburg"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"euronews","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":65000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":8335644,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/21\/en\/230821_NWSU_52823684_52826699_65000_211944_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":65000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":12344604,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/21\/en\/230821_NWSU_52823684_52826699_65000_211944_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8ndz4f","youtubeId":"YYKGRRcv75A"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":257,"urlSafeValue":"south-africa","title":"South Africa","url":"\/news\/africa\/south-africa"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_news','gs_news_and_weather','gs_tech'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/21\/putin-was-meant-to-be-at-a-summit-in-south-africa-this-week-why-was-he-asked-to-stay-away","lastModified":1692648184},{"id":2348494,"cid":7829700,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230817_NWSU_52789977","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Ukraine and Russia tussle for attention and influence at BRICS summit","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Ukraine and Russia tussle for attention and influence at BRICS summit","titleListing2":"Ukraine and Russia tussle for attention and influence at BRICS summit, which gets underway this week in Johannesburg.","leadin":"The Ukrainian government has spotted an opportunity to strengthen its diplomatic ties in Africa as Russia tries to cling on to major allies there.","summary":"The Ukrainian government has spotted an opportunity to strengthen its diplomatic ties in Africa as Russia tries to cling on to major allies there.","url":"ukraine-and-russia-tussle-for-attention-and-influence-at-brics-summit","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"As the BRICS summit gets underway in Johannesburg this week, bringing together the main players of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa with dozens of other countries outside the 'global West', Russia and Ukraine are looking at the event as a way to cement international relationships as they compete for influence. \n\nUkraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said recently that the country intends to ramp up its strategic outreach to African partners after decades of neglect. \n\n\"Many years have been lost,\u201d he said, \u201cbut we are going to push ahead with a Ukrainian-African renaissance, revive these relations.\u201d \n\nCiting \u201ccoercion, corruption and fear\u201d that Russia uses to wield power in numerous African countries, Kuleba insisted that \"We don't want to be another Russia. Our strategy is not to replace Russia, but to free Africa from Russia's grip.\" \n\nAmong the countries he named as places where Russian influence is \u201ceroding\u201d were Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, C\u00f4te d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea. \n\nHowever, Russia nonetheless has a formidable presence in various corners of the African continent. It has provided security support to several states, particularly in the form of the mercenary group Wagner, a critical player in chaotic Libya and the unstable Central African Republic. \n\nHowever, Wagner's intimate connections to the Kremlin have come under immense strain in recent months, with chief Yvgeny Prigozhin publicly excoriating the management of the Ukrainian invasion, then leading what\u00a0briefly looked like an insurrection against Putin's rule before agreeing to leave Russia for Belarus. \n\nWith the future of Wagner uncertain and the Russian military flailing in Ukraine, the Kremlin is ill-equipped to maintain the level of influence it has become used to. \n\nThe upshot of all this is that Russia\u2019s ongoing African machinations will loom large over this year\u2019s BRICS summit, which brings together the governments of Brazil, China, Russia, India and South Africa. \n\nAnd while Vladimir Putin will not be appearing in person, only via vido link because of the risk he could face arrest on an International Criminal Court warrant, the other four governments will be under intense scrutiny for their often ambiguous attitudes to his regime \u2013 South Africa in particular. \n\nThe southern extreme \n\nEver since Russia launched it's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa\u2019s relationship to the Kremlin has been harshly criticised by governments allied with Ukraine. \n\nIn May, the US ambassador to Pretoria claimed that South Africa, which has declared itself neutral in the war, had provided arms and ammunition to a Russian ship that docked in Cape Town last year en route home. \n\nSoon afterward, Ramaphosa granted Putin immunity despite an international arrest warrant, meaning he would have been able to attend the BRICS summit in person without fear of being apprehended. (He declined nonetheless.) \n\nFrom a Western perspective, it might seem odd for South Africa and other African countries to remain open to Russia despite its actions in Ukraine. But according to Professor Stephen Chan of the School of Oriental and African Studies, it should not surprise anyone that the ANC-led South African government is relatively amenable to Putin. \n\n\u201cThere is a very long affiliation with Russia in many parts of Southern Africa, particularly in South Africa itself,\u201d said Chan, who over several decades has advised numerous African and European governments. \n\n\u201cThe West has a short memory, but while it supported the Apartheid governments, Russia gave support to the ANC in exile and went one further by sponsoring Cuban armed forces in Angola, who twice turned back the tide of South African military advance.\u201d \n\nAs an example, he cited a turning point in the long war in Angola, where South Africa\u2019s failure helped speed the end of Apartheid for good. \n\n\u201cAt the 1988 Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Southern Angola, South African forces, hoping to establish a buffer state in the south, were forced to withdraw. The National Party in South Africa saw that force was no longer a viable instrument against change; there was a palace coup, the hawks fell and F.W. De Klerk, a dove, became president. In 1989 he held talks with Zambia's president, Kenneth Kaunda, and in 1990 Mandela walked free. \n\n\u201cIn South Africa, and in mineral- and oil-rich Angola, the Russians are given much credit for this chain of events to this day.\u201d \n\nEven so, Ramaphosa has faced serious domestic opposition to his stance on the war, not least because of how poorly he's executed his efforts to thrust South Africa and Africa in general into the mix. \n\nOutside looking in \n\nWith Russia's obstruction of Ukrainian exports putting many African countries' food supply in jeopardy, Ramaphosa\u2019s government this summer tried to lead an African diplomatic entr\u00e9e into the war. His stated aim was to broker a peace deal even as Ukraine\u2019s Western allies supply Kyiv with ever more materiel and training. \n\nHowever, the South African-led mission to Ukraine and Russia earlier this year saw no progress towards peace, even after the multinational African delegation met with leaders on both sides of the conflict. \n\nThere was also an embarrassing spectacle when one of the South African planes was detained on the runway at Warsaw\u2019s Chopin Airport. According to Polish authorities , the delegation essentially failed to comply with the plans for the trip that the two countries had agreed beforehand. \n\n\u201cDangerous goods were on board the plane, which South African representatives did not have permission to bring in. In addition, there were persons on board the aircraft of whose presence the Polish side had not been notified beforehand,\u201d a government statement explained. \n\nSouth Africa might be the host of the BRICS conference, but its efforts to wield influence in the Ukrainian war have so far generated more scorn and confusion than concrete results. \n\nMeanwhile, the world is trying to understand exactly what role Russia is playing in the coup in Niger, where protesters have descended on the French embassy waving Russian flags. \n\nThere, the ECOWAS group of West African nations is mounting a major effort to push back against the coup. And among the countries involved are several listed by Ukraine\u2019s Kuleba in his announcement of a \u201crenaissance\u201d. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>As the BRICS summit gets underway in Johannesburg this week, bringing together the main players of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa with dozens of other countries outside the 'global West', Russia and Ukraine are looking at the event as a way to cement international relationships as they compete for influence.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine's Foreign Minister <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//DmytroKuleba/">Dmytro Kuleba<\/strong><\/a> said recently that the country intends to ramp up its strategic outreach to African partners after decades of neglect.<\/p>\n<p>\"Many years have been lost,\u201d he said, \u201cbut we are going to push ahead with a Ukrainian-African renaissance, revive these relations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Citing \u201ccoercion, corruption and fear\u201d that Russia uses to wield power in numerous African countries, Kuleba insisted that \"We don't want to be another Russia. Our strategy is not to replace Russia, but to free Africa from Russia's grip.\"<\/p>\n<p>Among the countries he named as places where Russian influence is \u201ceroding\u201d were Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, C\u00f4te d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7831160,7803408,7768830\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//05//nigers-coup-leaders-ask-russian-mercenary-group-wagner-for-help/">Niger's coup leaders ask Russian mercenary group, Wagner, for help<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//24//horror-lies-and-disillusionment-ex-wagner-fighter-talks-bakhmut-and-mutiny/">Lies, mutiny and Bakhmut: Ex-Wagner fighter shares his chilling story<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//19//wagner-still-using-facebook-to-recruit-fighters-despite-meta-saying-content-will-be-remove/">Wagner still using Facebook to recruit fighters, despite Meta saying content will be removed<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, Russia nonetheless has a formidable presence in various corners of the African continent. It has provided security support to several states, particularly in the form of the mercenary group Wagner, a critical player in chaotic Libya and the unstable Central African Republic.<\/p>\n<p>However, Wagner's intimate connections to the Kremlin have come under immense strain in recent months, with chief Yvgeny Prigozhin publicly excoriating the management of the Ukrainian invasion, then leading what\u00a0briefly looked like an insurrection against Putin's rule before agreeing to leave Russia for Belarus.<\/p>\n<p>With the future of Wagner uncertain and the Russian military flailing in Ukraine, the Kremlin is ill-equipped to maintain the level of influence it has become used to.<\/p>\n<p>The upshot of all this is that Russia\u2019s ongoing African machinations will loom large over this year\u2019s BRICS summit, which brings together the governments of Brazil, China, Russia, India and South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>And while Vladimir Putin will not be appearing in person, only via vido link because of the risk he could face arrest on an International Criminal Court warrant, the other four governments will be under intense scrutiny for their often ambiguous attitudes to his regime \u2013 South Africa in particular.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//82//97//00//808x454_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/384x216_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/640x360_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/750x422_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/828x466_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/1080x608_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/1200x675_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/1920x1080_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Ukrainian protesters outside meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, June 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>The southern extreme<\/h2><p>Ever since Russia launched it's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa\u2019s relationship to the Kremlin has been harshly criticised by governments allied with Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>In May, the US ambassador to Pretoria claimed that South Africa, which has declared itself neutral in the war, had <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//05//11//south-africa-gave-military-support-to-russia-claims-us-ambassador/">provided arms and ammunition to a Russian ship<\/strong><\/a> that docked in Cape Town last year en route home.<\/p>\n<p>Soon afterward, Ramaphosa <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//05//31//south-africa-grants-putin-immunity-despite-international-arrest-warrant/">granted Putin immunity<\/strong><\/a> despite an international arrest warrant, meaning he would have been able to attend the BRICS summit in person without fear of being apprehended. (He declined nonetheless.)<\/p>\n<p>From a Western perspective, it might seem odd for South Africa and other African countries to remain open to Russia despite its actions in Ukraine. But according to Professor Stephen Chan of the School of Oriental and African Studies, it should not surprise anyone that the ANC-led South African government is relatively amenable to Putin.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a very long affiliation with Russia in many parts of Southern Africa, particularly in South Africa itself,\u201d said Chan, who over several decades has advised numerous African and European governments.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe West has a short memory, but while it supported the Apartheid governments, Russia gave support to the ANC in exile and went one further by sponsoring Cuban armed forces in Angola, who twice turned back the tide of South African military advance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As an example, he cited a turning point in the long war in Angola, where South Africa\u2019s failure helped speed the end of Apartheid for good.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the 1988 Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Southern Angola, South African forces, hoping to establish a buffer state in the south, were forced to withdraw. The National Party in South Africa saw that force was no longer a viable instrument against change; there was a palace coup, the hawks fell and F.W. De Klerk, a dove, became president. In 1989 he held talks with Zambia's president, Kenneth Kaunda, and in 1990 Mandela walked free.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn South Africa, and in mineral- and oil-rich Angola, the Russians are given much credit for this chain of events to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even so, Ramaphosa has faced serious domestic opposition to his stance on the war, not least because of how poorly he's executed his efforts to thrust South Africa and Africa in general into the mix.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//82//97//00//808x454_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg/" alt=\"French Army via AP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/384x216_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/640x360_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/750x422_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/828x466_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/1080x608_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/1200x675_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/1920x1080_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE - This undated photograph provided by the French military shows Russian mercenaries boarding a helicopter in northern Mali (Photo provided June 2023)<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">French Army via AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Outside looking in<\/h2><p>With Russia's obstruction of Ukrainian exports putting many African countries' food supply in jeopardy, Ramaphosa\u2019s government this summer tried to lead an African diplomatic entr\u00e9e into the war. His stated aim was to broker a peace deal even as Ukraine\u2019s Western allies supply Kyiv with ever more materiel and training.<\/p>\n<p>However, the South African-led mission to Ukraine and Russia earlier this year saw no progress towards peace, even after the multinational African delegation met with leaders on both sides of the conflict.<\/p>\n<p>There was also an embarrassing spectacle when one of the South African planes was detained on the runway at Warsaw\u2019s Chopin Airport. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.gov.pl//web//diplomacy//mfa-statement-on-the-detention-of-aircraft-with-members-of-the-security-of-south-african-president-cyril-ramaphosa-at-warsaw-okecie-airport/">According to Polish authorities<\/strong><\/a>, the delegation essentially failed to comply with the plans for the trip that the two countries had agreed beforehand.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDangerous goods were on board the plane, which South African representatives did not have permission to bring in. In addition, there were persons on board the aircraft of whose presence the Polish side had not been notified beforehand,\u201d a government statement explained.<\/p>\n<p>South Africa might be the host of the BRICS conference, but its efforts to wield influence in the Ukrainian war have so far generated more scorn and confusion than concrete results.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the world is trying to understand exactly what role Russia is playing in the coup in Niger, where protesters have descended on the French embassy waving Russian flags.<\/p>\n<p>There, the ECOWAS group of West African nations is mounting a major effort to push back against the coup. And among the countries involved are several listed by Ukraine\u2019s Kuleba in his announcement of a \u201crenaissance\u201d.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692302352,"publishedAt":1692595644,"updatedAt":1692595649,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/21\/ukraine-and-russia-tussle-for-attention-and-influence-at-brics-summit","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5349bf2a-7fcc-5704-aeb4-5f906bc20c95-7829700.jpg","altText":"FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin & South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, St Petersburg June 2023 ","caption":"FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin & South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, St Petersburg June 2023 ","captionCredit":"Agency RIA Novosti via AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4e434adf-dc1b-5502-b8c2-148cbfdc8493-7829700.jpg","altText":"FILE - This undated photograph provided by the French military shows Russian mercenaries boarding a helicopter in northern Mali (Photo provided June 2023)","caption":"FILE - This undated photograph provided by the French military shows Russian mercenaries boarding a helicopter in northern Mali (Photo provided June 2023)","captionCredit":"French Army via AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b470db7a-9e6c-58a6-8f00-ee69d6059ade-7829700.jpg","altText":"FILE: Ukrainian protesters outside meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, June 2023","caption":"FILE: Ukrainian protesters outside meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, June 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/97\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_47422c0f-a580-55a9-b08c-245c3aad3d62-7829700.jpg","altText":"South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visits Vladimir Putin in Russia.","caption":"South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visits Vladimir Putin in Russia.","captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3333,"height":1875}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7889,"slug":"south-africa","urlSafeValue":"south-africa","title":"South Africa","titleRaw":"South 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Africa","url":"\/news\/africa\/south-africa"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_science','gs_science_geography','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_politics','neg_intel_mobkoi','neg_ukraine_russia_war','shadow9hu7_pos_ukraine-russia','sm_politics','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics_issues_policy','gt_negative','neg_mobkoi_creed_eng','neg_mobkoi_new','gs_busfin','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low','gt_negative_anger','gs_busfin_indus','gs_travel_type','gt_negative_fear'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/21\/ukraine-and-russia-tussle-for-attention-and-influence-at-brics-summit","lastModified":1692595649},{"id":2350002,"cid":7833696,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230820_NWSU_52809748","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Niger junta vows transition to civilian rule within three years","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Niger junta vows transition to civilian rule within three years","titleListing2":"Niger junta vows transition to civilian rule within three years","leadin":"General Abdourahmane Tchiani gave no details on the plan, saying on state television only that the principles for the transition would be decided within 30 days at a dialogue to be hosted by the junta.","summary":"General Abdourahmane Tchiani gave no details on the plan, saying on state television only that the principles for the transition would be decided within 30 days at a dialogue to be hosted by the junta.","url":"niger-junta-vows-transition-to-civilian-rule-within-three-years","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The leader of mutinous soldiers who ousted Niger's democratically elected president said Saturday night that they will return the country to civilian rule within three years. \n\nGeneral Abdourahmane Tchiani gave no details on the plan, saying on state television only that the principles for the transition would be decided within 30 days at a dialogue to be hosted by the junta. \n\n\u201cI am convinced that ... we will work together to find a way out of the crisis, in the interests of all,\u201d Tchiani said, commenting after his first meeting with a regional delegation seeking to resolve the West African nation\u2019s crisis. \n\nThe delegation from the ECOWAS bloc, headed by former Nigerian head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, also met separately with toppled President Mohamed Bazoum. It joined reconciliation efforts by Leonardo Santos Simao, the UN special representative for West Africa and the Sahel, who arrived Friday. \n\nECOWAS on August 10 ordered the deployment of a \u201cstandby force\u201d to restore constitutional rule in Niger. On Friday, the ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states had agreed to commit troops to military intervention, saying they were \u201cready to go.\u201d \n\nThe soldiers who overthrew Bazoum last month have quickly entrenched themselves in power, rebuffed most dialogue efforts and kept Bazoum, his wife and son under house arrest in the capital. \n\nThe 11 member states that agreed to intervene militarily don\u2019t include the bloc\u2019s three other countries under military rule following coups: Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. The latter two have warned they would consider any intervention in Niger an act of war. On Friday, Niger's state television said that Mali and Burkina Faso had dispatched warplanes in a show of solidarity. \n\nFriday's announcement was the latest in a series of so far empty threats by ECOWAS to forcefully restore democratic rule in Niger, conflict analysts say. Immediately after the coup, the bloc gave the junta seven days to release and restore Bazoum, a deadline that came and went with no action. \n\n\u201cThe putschists won\u2019t be holding their breath this time over the renewed threat of military action,\u201d said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank. \n\nJunta cementing its rule \n\nThe junta leaders are cementing their rule and appointing loyal commanders to key units while ECOWAS has no experience with military action in hostile territory and would have no local support if it tried to intervene, he said. \n\n\u201cNiger is a very fragile country that can easily turn, in case of a military intervention, into a failed state like Sudan,\u201d said Laessing. \n\nECOWAS used force to restore order in 2017 in Gambia when longtime President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down after he lost the presidential election. That move involved diplomatic efforts led by the then-presidents of Mauritania and Guinea, while Jammeh appeared to be acting on his own after the Gambian army pledged allegiance to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow. \n\nAlso on Saturday, the new US ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, arrived in the capital, said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department. The US hasn\u2019t had an ambassador in the country for nearly two years. \n\nFitzGibbon will focus on advocating for a diplomatic solution that preserves constitutional order in Niger and for the immediate release of Bazoum, his family, and all those unlawfully detained, said Miller. Her arrival does not reflect a change in the US policy position, he said. \n\nPreparing to fight\u00a0 \n\nOn the streets of the capital Saturday, many residents said they were preparing to fight back against an ECOWAS military intervention. \n\nThousands of people in the capital of Niamey lined up outside the main stadium to register as fighters and volunteers to help with other needs in case the junta requires support. Some parents brought their children to sign up. \n\nSome people said they'd been waiting since 3 a.m., while groups of youths boisterously chanted in favour of the junta and against ECOWAS and the country's former colonial ruler France. \n\n\u2033I am here for the recruitment to become a good soldier. We are all here for that,\" said Ismail Hassan, a resident waiting in line to register. \u201cIf God wills, we will all go.\" \n\nEvents organizer Amsarou Bako claimed the junta was not involved in recruiting volunteers to defend the coup, although it is aware of the initiative. Hours after the drive started, the organizers said it would be postponed, but didn't explain why. \n\nThe humanitarian situation in the country is also on the agenda of the UN's West Africa and Sahel special representative. \n\nWestern partnerships \n\nBefore the coup, nearly 3 million people were facing severe food insecurity and hundreds of thousands were internally displaced, according to CARE, an international aid group. Economic and travel sanctions imposed by ECOWAS after the coup, coupled with the deteriorating security, will have dire consequences for the population, CARE said. \n\nPrior to the coup, Western countries had seen Niger as one of the last democratic nations they could partner with to beat back a growing jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group and poured millions of dollars of military aid and assistance into shoring up Niger\u2019s forces. \n\nSince the coup, former jihadis have told The Associated Press that militants have been taking advantage of the freedom of movement caused by suspended military operations by the French and the US and a distracted Nigerien army that is focusing efforts on the capital. \n\nLast week, at least 17 soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in an ambush by militants. It was the first major attack against Niger\u2019s army in six months. A day later, at least 50 civilians were killed in the Tillaberi region by extremists believed to be members of the Islamic State group, according to an internal security report for aid groups seen by the AP. \n\n\u201cWhile Niger\u2019s leaders are consumed by politics in the capital, the drumbeat of lethal jihadist attacks goes on in the countryside,\u201d said Corinne Dufka a political analyst who specializes in the Sahel region. \n\n\u201cThe recent attacks should motivate all parties to work for as speedy and inclusive a transition as possible so they can get back to the crucial business of protecting civilians from the devastating consequences of war,\" she said. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The leader of mutinous soldiers who ousted Niger's democratically elected president said Saturday night that they will return the country to civilian rule within three years.<\/p>\n<p>General Abdourahmane Tchiani gave no details on the plan, saying on state television only that the principles for the transition would be decided within 30 days at a dialogue to be hosted by the junta.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am convinced that ... we will work together to find a way out of the crisis, in the interests of all,\u201d Tchiani said, commenting after his first meeting with a regional delegation seeking to resolve the West African nation\u2019s crisis.<\/p>\n<p>The delegation from the ECOWAS bloc, headed by former Nigerian head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, also met separately with toppled President Mohamed Bazoum. It joined reconciliation efforts by Leonardo Santos Simao, the UN special representative for West Africa and the Sahel, who arrived Friday.<\/p>\n<p>ECOWAS on August 10 ordered the deployment of a \u201cstandby force\u201d to restore constitutional rule in Niger. On Friday, the ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states had agreed to commit troops to military intervention, saying they were \u201cready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The soldiers who overthrew Bazoum last month have quickly entrenched themselves in power, rebuffed most dialogue efforts and kept Bazoum, his wife and son under house arrest in the capital.<\/p>\n<p>The 11 member states that agreed to intervene militarily don\u2019t include the bloc\u2019s three other countries under military rule following coups: Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. The latter two have warned they would consider any intervention in Niger an act of war. On Friday, Niger's state television said that Mali and Burkina Faso had dispatched warplanes in a show of solidarity.<\/p>\n<p>Friday's announcement was the latest in a series of so far empty threats by ECOWAS to forcefully restore democratic rule in Niger, conflict analysts say. Immediately after the coup, the bloc gave the junta seven days to release and restore Bazoum, a deadline that came and went with no action.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe putschists won\u2019t be holding their breath this time over the renewed threat of military action,\u201d said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank.<\/p>\n<h3>Junta cementing its rule<\/h3><p>The junta leaders are cementing their rule and appointing loyal commanders to key units while ECOWAS has no experience with military action in hostile territory and would have no local support if it tried to intervene, he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNiger is a very fragile country that can easily turn, in case of a military intervention, into a failed state like Sudan,\u201d said Laessing.<\/p>\n<p>ECOWAS used force to restore order in 2017 in Gambia when longtime President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down after he lost the presidential election. That move involved diplomatic efforts led by the then-presidents of Mauritania and Guinea, while Jammeh appeared to be acting on his own after the Gambian army pledged allegiance to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow.<\/p>\n<p>Also on Saturday, the new US ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, arrived in the capital, said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department. The US hasn\u2019t had an ambassador in the country for nearly two years.<\/p>\n<p>FitzGibbon will focus on advocating for a diplomatic solution that preserves constitutional order in Niger and for the immediate release of Bazoum, his family, and all those unlawfully detained, said Miller. Her arrival does not reflect a change in the US policy position, he said.<\/p>\n<h3>Preparing to fight<\/h3><p>On the streets of the capital Saturday, many residents said they were preparing to fight back against an ECOWAS military intervention.<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of people in the capital of Niamey lined up outside the main stadium to register as fighters and volunteers to help with other needs in case the junta requires support. Some parents brought their children to sign up.<\/p>\n<p>Some people said they'd been waiting since 3 a.m., while groups of youths boisterously chanted in favour of the junta and against ECOWAS and the country's former colonial ruler France.<\/p>\n<p>\u2033I am here for the recruitment to become a good soldier. We are all here for that,\" said Ismail Hassan, a resident waiting in line to register. \u201cIf God wills, we will all go.\"<\/p>\n<p>Events organizer Amsarou Bako claimed the junta was not involved in recruiting volunteers to defend the coup, although it is aware of the initiative. Hours after the drive started, the organizers said it would be postponed, but didn't explain why.<\/p>\n<p>The humanitarian situation in the country is also on the agenda of the UN's West Africa and Sahel special representative.<\/p>\n<h3>Western partnerships<\/h3><p>Before the coup, nearly 3 million people were facing severe food insecurity and hundreds of thousands were internally displaced, according to CARE, an international aid group. Economic and travel sanctions imposed by ECOWAS after the coup, coupled with the deteriorating security, will have dire consequences for the population, CARE said.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to the coup, Western countries had seen Niger as one of the last democratic nations they could partner with to beat back a growing jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group and poured millions of dollars of military aid and assistance into shoring up Niger\u2019s forces.<\/p>\n<p>Since the coup, former jihadis have told The Associated Press that militants have been taking advantage of the freedom of movement caused by suspended military operations by the French and the US and a distracted Nigerien army that is focusing efforts on the capital.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, at least 17 soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in an ambush by militants. It was the first major attack against Niger\u2019s army in six months. A day later, at least 50 civilians were killed in the Tillaberi region by extremists believed to be members of the Islamic State group, according to an internal security report for aid groups seen by the AP.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile Niger\u2019s leaders are consumed by politics in the capital, the drumbeat of lethal jihadist attacks goes on in the countryside,\u201d said Corinne Dufka a political analyst who specializes in the Sahel region.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe recent attacks should motivate all parties to work for as speedy and inclusive a transition as possible so they can get back to the crucial business of protecting civilians from the devastating consequences of war,\" she said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692490414,"publishedAt":1692511775,"updatedAt":1692512464,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/20\/niger-junta-vows-transition-to-civilian-rule-within-three-years","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/36\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d98dd5b2-0433-5f7c-a03d-b0c2953259e3-7833698.jpg","altText":"ECOWAS delegation in Niamey, Niger. August 19, 2023","caption":"ECOWAS delegation in Niamey, Niger. August 19, 2023","captionCredit":"AP\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":674}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28942,"slug":"coup-in-niger","urlSafeValue":"coup-in-niger","title":"Coup in Niger","titleRaw":"Coup in Niger"},{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"},{"id":12034,"slug":"diplomacy","urlSafeValue":"diplomacy","title":"Diplomacy","titleRaw":"Diplomacy"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":7596805,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/20\/en\/230820_NWSU_52809748_52810581_60000_074423_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":11686661,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/20\/en\/230820_NWSU_52809748_52810581_60000_074423_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8ncmaz","youtubeId":"njJ-7RPOaYs"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gb_safe','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gv_military','gs_busfin'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/20\/niger-junta-vows-transition-to-civilian-rule-within-three-years","lastModified":1692512464},{"id":2349804,"cid":7833114,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230819_NWSU_52806665","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"ECOWAS delegation arrives in Niger for last-ditch diplomatic push","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"ECOWAS delegation arrives in Niger for last-ditch diplomatic push","titleListing2":"ECOWAS delegation arrives in Niger for last-ditch diplomatic push","leadin":"On Friday, the ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states agreed to commit troops to a military deployment, saying they were \u201cready to go\u201d whenever the order was given. ","summary":"On Friday, the ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states agreed to commit troops to a military deployment, saying they were \u201cready to go\u201d whenever the order was given. ","url":"ecowas-delegation-arrives-in-niger-for-last-ditch-diplomatic-push","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A delegation from regional nations arrived in Niger Saturday afternoon in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful solution with mutinous soldiers who ousted the country's president last month. \n\nThe representatives from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, came to the capital, Niamey, and joined efforts by United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, who arrived on Friday, in trying to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing crisis. \n\nOn Friday UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Simao would meet with the junta and other parties to try and facilitate a swift and peaceful resolution to Niger\u2019s crisis. \n\n\u201cWhat we want to see is a return to the constitutional order. We want to see the liberation of the president and his family and restoration of his legitimate authority,\u201d he said. \n\nOn August 10, ECOWAS ordered the deployment of a \u201cstandby force\u201d to restore constitutional rule in the country. \n\nThe soldiers who overthrew Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July have quickly entrenched themselves in power, rebuffed most dialogue efforts and kept Bazoum, his wife and son under house arrest in the capital. \n\nOn Friday, the ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states agreed to commit troops to a military deployment, saying they were \u201cready to go\u201d whenever the order was given. \n\nThe 11 member states don\u2019t include Niger itself and the bloc\u2019s three other countries under military rule following coups: Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. The latter two have warned they would consider any intervention in Niger an act of war. On Friday, Niger's state television said that Mali and Burkina Faso had dispatched warplanes in a show of solidarity. \n\nFragile country \n\nFriday's announcement is the latest in a series of empty threats by ECOWAS to forcefully restore democratic rule in Niger, say conflict analysts. \n\nImmediately after the coup, the bloc gave the junta seven days to release and restore Bazoum, a deadline that came and went with no action. \n\n\u201cThe putschists won\u2019t be holding their breath this time over the renewed threat of military action,\u201d said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank. Meanwhile, the mutinous soldiers are cementing their rule and appointing loyal commanders to key units while ECOWAS has no experience with military action in hostile territory and would have no local support if it tried to intervene, he said. \n\n\u201cNiger is a very fragile country that can easily turn, in case of a military intervention, into a failed state like Sudan,\u201d said Laessing. \n\nECOWAS used force to restore order in member countries in 2017 in Gambia when longtime President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down after he lost the presidential election. But even in that case, the move had involved diplomatic efforts led by the then-presidents of Mauritania and Guinea, while Jammeh appeared to be acting on his own after the Gambian army pledged allegiance to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow. \n\nAlso on Saturday, the new United States Ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, arrived in the capital, said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department. The US hasn\u2019t had an ambassador in the country for nearly two years. \n\nFitzGibbon will focus on advocating for a diplomatic solution that preserves constitutional order in Niger and for the immediate release of Bazoum, his family, and all those unlawfully detained, said Miller. Her arrival does not reflect a change in the US policy position, he said. \n\nPreparing to fight back \n\nOn the streets of the capital Saturday, many residents said they're preparing to fight back against an ECOWAS military intervention. \n\nThousands of people in Niamey lined up outside the main stadium to register as volunteers, fighters and to help with other needs in case the junta requires support. Some parents brought their children to sign up; others said they'd been waiting since 3 a.m., while groups of youths boisterously chanted in favour of the junta and against ECOWAS and the country's former colonial ruler France. \n\n\"I am here for the recruitment to become a good soldier. We are all here for that,\" said Ismail Hassan a resident waiting in line to register. \u201cIf God wills, we will all go.\" \n\nEvents organizer Amsarou Bako claimed that the junta was not involved in finding volunteers to defend the coup, although it is aware of the initiative. Hours after the drive started, the organizers said it would be postponed, but didn't explain why. \n\nThe humanitarian situation in the country is also on the agenda of the UN's West Africa and Sahel special representative. \n\nBefore the coup, nearly 3 million people were facing severe food insecurity and hundreds of thousands were internally displaced, according to CARE, an international aid group. Economic and travel sanctions imposed by ECOWAS after the coup, coupled with the deteriorating security, will have dire consequences for the population, CARE said. \n\nPartnership against extremism \n\nPreviously, Western countries saw Niger as one of the last democratic nations they could partner with to beat back a growing jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group and poured millions of dollars of military aid and assistance into shoring up Niger\u2019s forces. \n\nSince the coup, former jihadis told The Associated Press that militants have been taking advantage of the freedom of movement caused by suspended military operations by the French and the US and a distracted Nigerien army that is focusing efforts on the capital. \n\nLast week, at least 17 soldiers were killed and 20 injured during an ambush by jihadis. It was the first major attack against Niger\u2019s army in six months. A day later, at least 50 civilians were killed in the Tillaberi region, by extremists believed to be members of the Islamic State group, according to an internal security report for aid groups seen by the AP. \n\n\u201cWhile Niger\u2019s leaders are consumed by politics in the capital, the drumbeat of lethal jihadist attacks goes on in the countryside,\u201d said Corinne Dufka a political analyst who specializes in the Sahel region. \n\n\u201cThe recent attacks should motivate all parties to work for as speedy and inclusive a transition as possible so they can get back to the crucial business of protecting civilians from the devastating consequences of war. In due time, Nigeriens and their partners should look long and hard at why and how democracy in Niger faltered,\u201d she said. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>A delegation from regional nations arrived in Niger Saturday afternoon in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful solution with mutinous soldiers who ousted the country's president last month.<\/p>\n<p>The representatives from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, came to the capital, Niamey, and joined efforts by United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, who arrived on Friday, in trying to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing crisis.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Simao would meet with the junta and other parties to try and facilitate a swift and peaceful resolution to Niger\u2019s crisis.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat we want to see is a return to the constitutional order. We want to see the liberation of the president and his family and restoration of his legitimate authority,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>On August 10, ECOWAS ordered the deployment of a \u201cstandby force\u201d to restore constitutional rule in the country.<\/p>\n<p>The soldiers who overthrew Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July have quickly entrenched themselves in power, rebuffed most dialogue efforts and kept Bazoum, his wife and son under house arrest in the capital.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, the ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states agreed to commit troops to a military deployment, saying they were \u201cready to go\u201d whenever the order was given.<\/p>\n<p>The 11 member states don\u2019t include Niger itself and the bloc\u2019s three other countries under military rule following coups: Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. The latter two have warned they would consider any intervention in Niger an act of war. On Friday, Niger's state television said that Mali and Burkina Faso had dispatched warplanes in a show of solidarity.<\/p>\n<h3>Fragile country<\/h3><p>Friday's announcement is the latest in a series of empty threats by ECOWAS to forcefully restore democratic rule in Niger, say conflict analysts.<\/p>\n<p>Immediately after the coup, the bloc gave the junta seven days to release and restore Bazoum, a deadline that came and went with no action.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe putschists won\u2019t be holding their breath this time over the renewed threat of military action,\u201d said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank. Meanwhile, the mutinous soldiers are cementing their rule and appointing loyal commanders to key units while ECOWAS has no experience with military action in hostile territory and would have no local support if it tried to intervene, he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNiger is a very fragile country that can easily turn, in case of a military intervention, into a failed state like Sudan,\u201d said Laessing.<\/p>\n<p>ECOWAS used force to restore order in member countries in 2017 in Gambia when longtime President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down after he lost the presidential election. But even in that case, the move had involved diplomatic efforts led by the then-presidents of Mauritania and Guinea, while Jammeh appeared to be acting on his own after the Gambian army pledged allegiance to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow.<\/p>\n<p>Also on Saturday, the new United States Ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, arrived in the capital, said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department. The US hasn\u2019t had an ambassador in the country for nearly two years.<\/p>\n<p>FitzGibbon will focus on advocating for a diplomatic solution that preserves constitutional order in Niger and for the immediate release of Bazoum, his family, and all those unlawfully detained, said Miller. Her arrival does not reflect a change in the US policy position, he said.<\/p>\n<h3>Preparing to fight back<\/h3><p>On the streets of the capital Saturday, many residents said they're preparing to fight back against an ECOWAS military intervention.<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of people in Niamey lined up outside the main stadium to register as volunteers, fighters and to help with other needs in case the junta requires support. Some parents brought their children to sign up; others said they'd been waiting since 3 a.m., while groups of youths boisterously chanted in favour of the junta and against ECOWAS and the country's former colonial ruler France.<\/p>\n<p>\"I am here for the recruitment to become a good soldier. We are all here for that,\" said Ismail Hassan a resident waiting in line to register. \u201cIf God wills, we will all go.\"<\/p>\n<p>Events organizer Amsarou Bako claimed that the junta was not involved in finding volunteers to defend the coup, although it is aware of the initiative. Hours after the drive started, the organizers said it would be postponed, but didn't explain why.<\/p>\n<p>The humanitarian situation in the country is also on the agenda of the UN's West Africa and Sahel special representative.<\/p>\n<p>Before the coup, nearly 3 million people were facing severe food insecurity and hundreds of thousands were internally displaced, according to CARE, an international aid group. Economic and travel sanctions imposed by ECOWAS after the coup, coupled with the deteriorating security, will have dire consequences for the population, CARE said.<\/p>\n<h3>Partnership against extremism<\/h3><p>Previously, Western countries saw Niger as one of the last democratic nations they could partner with to beat back a growing jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group and poured millions of dollars of military aid and assistance into shoring up Niger\u2019s forces.<\/p>\n<p>Since the coup, former jihadis told The Associated Press that militants have been taking advantage of the freedom of movement caused by suspended military operations by the French and the US and a distracted Nigerien army that is focusing efforts on the capital.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, at least 17 soldiers were killed and 20 injured during an ambush by jihadis. It was the first major attack against Niger\u2019s army in six months. A day later, at least 50 civilians were killed in the Tillaberi region, by extremists believed to be members of the Islamic State group, according to an internal security report for aid groups seen by the AP.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile Niger\u2019s leaders are consumed by politics in the capital, the drumbeat of lethal jihadist attacks goes on in the countryside,\u201d said Corinne Dufka a political analyst who specializes in the Sahel region.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe recent attacks should motivate all parties to work for as speedy and inclusive a transition as possible so they can get back to the crucial business of protecting civilians from the devastating consequences of war. In due time, Nigeriens and their partners should look long and hard at why and how democracy in Niger faltered,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692450667,"publishedAt":1692454200,"updatedAt":1692461163,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/19\/ecowas-delegation-arrives-in-niger-for-last-ditch-diplomatic-push","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/02\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fa540d72-14c5-52ba-a7a6-40ec9e4cffb2-7830270.jpg","altText":"The defence chiefs from ECOWAS countries excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Niger, pose for a group photo during their meeting in Accra, Ghana, Aug. 17 2023","caption":"The defence chiefs from ECOWAS countries excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Niger, pose for a group photo during their meeting in Accra, Ghana, Aug. 17 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":670},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/31\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_80912bb9-713c-58ec-b03a-ccffbabfb9ad-7833114.jpg","altText":"Young people gather to register to volunteer to fight for the country as part of a volunteer initiative, in Niamey, Niger, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.","caption":"Young people gather to register to volunteer to fight for the country as part of a volunteer initiative, in Niamey, Niger, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.","captionCredit":"Sam Mednick\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":684}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"},{"id":28942,"slug":"coup-in-niger","urlSafeValue":"coup-in-niger","title":"Coup in Niger","titleRaw":"Coup in Niger"},{"id":28940,"slug":"mohamed-bazoum","urlSafeValue":"mohamed-bazoum","title":"Mohamed Bazoum","titleRaw":"Mohamed Bazoum"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":7834374,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/19\/en\/230819_NWSU_52806665_52806696_60000_175937_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":11806470,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/19\/en\/230819_NWSU_52806665_52806696_60000_175937_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8ncd5r","youtubeId":"AtG6314hyuY"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP ","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','gs_politics','neg_facebook_2021','neg_mobkoi_castrol','castrol_negative_uk','neg_nespresso','sm_politics','gs_science','neg_saudiaramco','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gs_science_geography','gv_terrorism','gb_terrorism_high_med','gb_terrorism_high_med_low','gb_terrorism_news-ent','gt_negative','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gv_military','gs_busfin','gt_negative_anger','gt_negative_fear','gv_death_injury','gs_politics_elections'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/19\/ecowas-delegation-arrives-in-niger-for-last-ditch-diplomatic-push","lastModified":1692461163},{"id":2348974,"cid":7831046,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230818_CMSU_52797721","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Coffee, bananas and malaria: Uganda\u2019s farmers battle to survive in the face of climate change","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Uganda: My journey to the frontlines of climate change","titleListing2":"Coffee, bananas and malaria: Uganda\u2019s farmers battle to survive in the face of climate change","leadin":"There are few parts of life in Uganda that have not been affected by rising temperatures.","summary":"There are few parts of life in Uganda that have not been affected by rising temperatures.","url":"coffee-bananas-and-malaria-ugandas-farmers-battle-to-survive-in-the-face-of-climate-change","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"As I embarked on my journey to Nakapiripirit recently, a scorching hot town in the northeastern part of Uganda, I was ill-prepared for the relentless heat that awaited me. \n\nThe people of Karamoja, who call this region home, have long adapted to the extreme weather conditions by donning loose and light traditional attire, seeking relief from the oppressive heat. \n\nKaramoja is in the northeastern part of the country, not far from the country\u2019s hottest town, Kitgum, which has registered temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius. \n\nUnpredictable weather coupled with cattle theft \n\nKaramoja is a land of contrasts. Many people here still live the pastoralist lifestyle, a type of livestock farming that can involve lots of moving around. They have to battle with cattle rustling, or stealing, poverty and the unforgiving weather. \n\nDespite the challenges, the pastoralist way of life persisted until recently when the tides of development began to pave the way for change. \n\nAs cattle theft escalates, communities are becoming more vulnerable to not only local rustlers but also those from neighbouring countries. Both are driven by the pressures of climate change. \n\nInsecurity and inequalities have grown as the pastoralist lifestyle collapses, and the arid region is facing the brunt of unpredictable weather patterns. The once reliable rains have turned erratic, leading to crop failures due to the sandy soil's inability to absorb water effectively. \n\nOwing to climate change, Karamoja is experiencing more dry days than expected, leaving the population largely insecure and facing the consequences of prolonged extreme weather events, such as El Ni\u00f1o . \n\nCoffee farmers have to move to higher ground \n\nAnother significant impact of climate change is on coffee cultivation, a vital cash crop for Uganda's economy. Arabica coffee , which thrives in mountainous areas, faces challenges as lower altitudes warm up rapidly. This is forcing the farmers to seek higher ground, where the upper parts of mountains, protected by the government, provide some respite. \n\nAnother significant pattern due to extreme weather is the shift of bananas , a staple that was largely grown in the central region of western Uganda. Farmers must adapt their cultivation practices to survive. \n\nHotter temperatures lead to more malaria \n\nI also often travel through Kigezi and Rwenzori regions. Environmental degradation and changing weather patterns are causing unexpected consequences here, too. \n\nHotter temperatures favour mosquitoes , leading to an alarming rise in malaria cases in areas like Kabale, which once enjoyed relative immunity due to its cold weather. With more regions being exposed to malaria, it underscores the urgency for communities to access adequate healthcare and respond to the pressures of climate change. \n\nLow-lying areas face increased challenges from extreme weather events, yet only a privileged few can afford to live in safer, greener locations. Settlement planning becomes crucial to protect vulnerable populations and alleviate the burden of climate-induced hardships, especially considering that 60% of the population resides in slums. \n\nStrong policies are key to fighting climate change \n\n\nTo address the implications of climate change, our government here in Uganda must implement strong policies aimed at sustainable development and conservation of natural resources. \n\nAs global temperatures rise, protecting the lungs of the earth becomes paramount. \n\nThe protection of the green belt across the Global South can play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. \n\nInternational efforts such as carbon trading can support preservation of ecosystems. That that will only be successful if it is fair. Entities must pay the true worth of conservation efforts, to prevent communities from opting out and bearing the brunt of climate change caused by emissions primarily driven from the North. \n\nMy journey to Nakapiripirit has reminded me that we must act swiftly to tackle the challenges posed by extreme weather. The future of not only Karamoja but also the entire country depends on proactive measures, sustainable practices, and global cooperation to safeguard our environment, livelihoods, and well-being from the ever-changing climate. Only then can we pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous future for all. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>As I embarked on my journey to Nakapiripirit recently, a scorching hot town in the northeastern part of Uganda, I was ill-prepared for the relentless heat that awaited me.<\/p>\n<p>The people of Karamoja, who call this region home, have long adapted to the extreme weather conditions by donning loose and light traditional attire, seeking relief from the oppressive heat.<\/p>\n<p>Karamoja is in the northeastern part of the country, not far from the country\u2019s hottest town, Kitgum, which has registered temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n<h2>Unpredictable weather coupled with cattle theft<\/h2><p>Karamoja is a land of contrasts. Many people here still live the pastoralist lifestyle, a type of livestock farming that can involve lots of moving around. They have to battle with <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//06//17//meet-the-cattle-breeders-turned-conservationists-protecting-colombias-amazon-wildlife/">cattle rustling, or stealing, poverty and the unforgiving weather.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the challenges, the pastoralist way of life persisted until recently when the tides of development began to pave the way for change.<\/p>\n<p>As cattle theft escalates, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//05//24//giving-people-5-a-day-could-bring-the-good-life-to-communities-and-ecosystems-in-need-stud/">communities are becoming more vulnerable to not only local rustlers but also those from neighbouring countries. Both are driven by the pressures of climate change.<\/p>\n<p>Insecurity and inequalities have grown as the pastoralist lifestyle collapses, and the arid region is facing the brunt of unpredictable weather patterns. The once reliable rains have turned erratic, leading to crop failures due to the sandy soil's inability to absorb water effectively.<\/p>\n<p>Owing to climate change, Karamoja is experiencing more dry days than expected, leaving the population largely insecure and facing the consequences of prolonged extreme weather events, such as <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//07//el-nino-is-back-heres-what-it-means-for-extreme-weather/">El Ni\u00f1o<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"5076202,6435302\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//01//30//meet-the-wildlife-vet-saving-uganda-s-endangered-gorillas/">Meet the wildlife vet saving Uganda\u2019s endangered gorillas<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//11//05//vanessa-nakate-the-global-south-is-not-on-the-front-page-but-it-is-on-the-front-line/">/u2018The Global South is not on the front page, but it is on the front line\u2019: Meet Vanessa Nakate<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Coffee farmers have to move to higher ground<\/h2><p>Another significant impact of climate change is on <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//02//19//climate-change-is-redrawing-the-coffee-growing-map-heres-how-farmers-are-clinging-on/">coffee cultivation, a vital cash crop for Uganda's economy. Arabica <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//05//15//extreme-weather-is-making-coffee-cost-more-and-taste-worse-report-warns/">coffee, which thrives in mountainous areas, faces challenges as lower altitudes warm up rapidly. This is forcing the farmers to seek higher ground, where the upper parts of mountains, protected by the government, provide some respite.<\/p>\n<p>Another significant pattern due to extreme weather is the shift of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//06//07//blasting-bananas-with-light-could-pave-the-way-for-more-eco-friendly-biomass/">bananas, a staple that was largely grown in the central region of western Uganda. Farmers must adapt their cultivation practices to survive.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7831228,7828656\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//08//18//europe-is-heading-into-another-heatwave-here-are-all-the-areas-affected/">Europe is heading into another heatwave. Here are all the areas affected<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//08//17//25-countries-now-face-extreme-water-stress-every-year-three-of-them-are-in-europe/">25 countries now face \u2018extreme water stress\u2019 every year - three of them are in Europe<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Hotter temperatures lead to more malaria<\/h2><p>I also often travel through Kigezi and Rwenzori regions. Environmental degradation and changing <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//04//09//are-europes-green-summer-forests-a-thing-of-the-past-hot-dry-weather-is-turning-trees-brow/">weather patterns are causing unexpected consequences here, too.<\/p>\n<p>Hotter temperatures favour <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//05//07//diseases-mosquitoes-filth-indias-urban-centres-are-choking-on-sewage-and-waste/">mosquitoes, leading to an alarming rise in malaria cases in areas like Kabale, which once enjoyed relative immunity due to its cold weather. With more regions being exposed to malaria, it underscores the urgency for communities to access adequate healthcare and respond to the pressures of climate change.<\/p>\n<p>Low-lying areas face increased challenges from <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//06//28//extreme-weather-clearly-linked-to-human-induced-climate-change-new-study-says/">extreme weather<\/strong><\/a> events, yet only a privileged few can afford to live in safer, greener locations. Settlement planning becomes crucial to protect vulnerable populations and alleviate the burden of climate-induced hardships, especially considering that 60% of the population resides in slums.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7768874,7769460\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//21//summer-of-extremes-is-climate-change-to-blame-for-heatwaves-and-flooding/">/u2018Summer of extremes\u2019: Is climate change to blame for heatwaves and flooding?<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//21//only-one-eu-country-thinks-its-government-is-doing-enough-on-climate-crisis-new-survey-fin/">Only one EU country thinks its government is doing enough on climate crisis, new survey finds<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Strong policies are key to fighting climate change<\/h2><p>To address the implications of climate change, our government here in Uganda must implement strong policies aimed at sustainable development and conservation of natural resources.<\/p>\n<p>As global temperatures rise, protecting the lungs of the earth becomes paramount.<\/p>\n<p>The protection of the green belt across the Global South can play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n<p>International efforts such as carbon trading can support preservation of ecosystems. That that will only be successful if it is fair. Entities must pay the true worth of conservation efforts, to prevent communities from opting out and bearing the brunt of climate change caused by <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//08//10//india-slashes-emissions-rate-by-one-third-in-14-years-putting-it-on-track-to-reach-un-goal/">emissions primarily driven from the North.<\/p>\n<p>My journey to Nakapiripirit has reminded me that we must act swiftly to tackle the challenges posed by extreme weather. The future of not only Karamoja but also the entire country depends on proactive measures, sustainable practices, and global cooperation to safeguard our environment, livelihoods, and well-being from the ever-changing climate. Only then can we pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous future for all.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692357874,"publishedAt":1692424854,"updatedAt":1692424867,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2023\/08\/19\/coffee-bananas-and-malaria-ugandas-farmers-battle-to-survive-in-the-face-of-climate-change","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/10\/46\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_476fb976-808d-556d-95a3-7f943096e360-7831046.jpg","altText":"A woman shops at a grocery store in Hoima town, Uganda, 27 April, 2015. ","caption":"A woman shops at a grocery store in Hoima town, Uganda, 27 April, 2015. ","captionCredit":"REUTERS\/James Akena","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"raziah","title":"Raziah Athman","twitter":"@RazAthman"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":319,"slug":"agriculture","urlSafeValue":"agriculture","title":"Agriculture","titleRaw":"Agriculture"},{"id":15386,"slug":"climate-change","urlSafeValue":"climate-change","title":"climate change","titleRaw":"climate change"},{"id":287,"slug":"uganda","urlSafeValue":"uganda","title":"Uganda","titleRaw":"Uganda"},{"id":6814,"slug":"malaria","urlSafeValue":"malaria","title":"Malaria","titleRaw":"Malaria"},{"id":14808,"slug":"income","urlSafeValue":"income","title":"income","titleRaw":"income"},{"id":17856,"slug":"extreme-weather","urlSafeValue":"extreme-weather","title":"Extreme weather","titleRaw":"Extreme weather"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":3}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/climate\/climate"},"vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/climate"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":34,"urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":287,"urlSafeValue":"uganda","title":"Uganda","url":"\/news\/africa\/uganda"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','progressivemedia','gs_science_environ','gs_science_environment','gs_busfin','climatechange','gs_science_geography','neg_saudiaramco','gs_science_weather','gs_business','gt_negative','gs_busfin_indus','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','environment','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low','gt_negative_fear'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/green\/2023\/08\/19\/coffee-bananas-and-malaria-ugandas-farmers-battle-to-survive-in-the-face-of-climate-change","lastModified":1692424867},{"id":2348820,"cid":7830548,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230818_NWSU_52793586","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"A fishing town in Cape Verde prays for those who died on treacherous journey to Europe","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Fishing town prays for those who died on treacherous journey to Europe","titleListing2":"A fishing town prays for those who died on treacherous journey to Europe","leadin":"There's sadness and anger after dozens of people who set out in a boat searching for a new life are believed dead.","summary":"There's sadness and anger after dozens of people who set out in a boat searching for a new life are believed dead.","url":"a-fishing-town-in-cape-verde-prays-for-those-who-died-on-treacherous-journey-to-europe","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The chief of the Senegalese locality of Fass Boye rang out his appeal over the mosque's loudspeakers: \"Come out and attend the Koran recital for the repose of the souls of our sons, nephews and grandsons,\" declared Madiop Boye. \n\nMore than 60 people, most of them men from Fass Boye and the surrounding area, are presumed dead at sea after setting out from this small fishing town on 10 July.\u00a0There were 38 survivors. \n\nA total of 101 people had signed up for the voyage, all but one of them Senegalese. Their boat was spotted and rescued on Monday off Cape Verde after several weeks adrift, when it normally takes around ten days to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory seen by many as a route to the European Union. \n\n\"Those who left are gone and will never come back. It's our duty to pray for them,\" says Madiop Boye.\u00a0 \n\nUnder cloudy skies, dozens of people converged on the place of prayer in this town of some 20,000 souls on the Atlantic coast, about a hundred kilometres north of Dakar. \n\n\"Our young people have been leaving by sea for a hundred years, but this is the first time that Fass Boye has experienced a situation like this,\" he says. \n\nThe victims succumbed to thirst and hunger, according to survivors quoted by the crew of a Spanish fishing boat that rescued the sinking craft off the Cape Verdean island of Sal. \n\n\"Of the 38 survivors, 32 are being accommodated in a local high school and six are in the regional hospital on the island of Sal; two of the six hospitalised are in intensive care, but most of the survivors are starting to regain their strength,\" Nuno Santos, a local civil protection commander, told Cape Verdean television. \n\n\"We are asking the Senegalese government to do everything possible to repatriate our sons who are still alive, and to bring back the bodies of those who have been found dead,\" said Mr Boye. \n\nThe Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is working to repatriate its nationals \"as soon as possible\". \n\n\"May such a tragedy never befall our village again,\" prayed the imam. \n\nSadness and anger \n\nIn the narrow dirt streets that border the religious building, people continue to come out and gather. \n\nOn Wednesday evening, sadness gave way to anger. Young people burnt tyres and blocked the main road with tree trunks, accusing the authorities of not having done enough to find the boat in time. \n\nOn Thursday morning, police vehicles were parked at the entrance to the town. \n\n\"Young people spend months at sea only to come home empty-handed,\"\u00a0says Amedi Dieye, 53, who says he lost two brothers-in-law. \"The authorities have sold off all our resources, so they are responsible for this tragedy.\" \n\n\"Many young people from the village who have gone to Europe buy cars and build houses on their return. My son also wanted the same thing,\" says Abdou Aziz S\u00e8ne, father of a 25-year-old man who disappeared.\u00a0 \n\n\"He wanted to go to Europe because he couldn't make a living here any more,\" he confides. \n\nSenegal has suffered numerous migration tragedies in recent years. Sixteen migrants died on the night of 23 and 24 July when their boat sank near Dakar, just a few days after at least 13 Senegalese lost their lives off the coast of Morocco. \n\nAt the end of July, the Senegalese government presented a national strategy to combat irregular migration, focusing on prevention, border control, repression, and the return and reintegration of migrants.\u00a0But departures punctuate life in Senegal's coastal towns year after year. \n\nThe residents of Fass Boye will gather on Sunday to pay their last respects to the dead and missing. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The chief of the Senegalese locality of Fass Boye rang out his appeal over the mosque's loudspeakers: \"Come out and attend the Koran recital for the repose of the souls of our sons, nephews and grandsons,\" declared Madiop Boye.<\/p>\n<p>More than 60 people, most of them men from Fass Boye and the surrounding area, are presumed dead at sea after setting out from this small fishing town on 10 July.\u00a0There were 38 survivors.<\/p>\n<p>A total of 101 people had signed up for the voyage, all but one of them Senegalese. Their boat was spotted and rescued on Monday off Cape Verde after several weeks adrift, when it normally takes around ten days to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory seen by many as a route to the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>\"Those who left are gone and will never come back. It's our duty to pray for them,\" says Madiop Boye.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Under cloudy skies, dozens of people converged on the place of prayer in this town of some 20,000 souls on the Atlantic coast, about a hundred kilometres north of Dakar.<\/p>\n<p>\"Our young people have been leaving by sea for a hundred years, but this is the first time that Fass Boye has experienced a situation like this,\" he says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//83//05//48//808x454_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg/" alt=\"SEYLLOU / AFP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/384x216_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/640x360_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/750x422_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/828x466_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/1080x608_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/1200x675_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/1920x1080_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Relatives and friends pray in Fass Boye.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">SEYLLOU / AFP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The victims succumbed to thirst and hunger, according to survivors quoted by the crew of a Spanish fishing boat that rescued the sinking craft off the Cape Verdean island of Sal.<\/p>\n<p>\"Of the 38 survivors, 32 are being accommodated in a local high school and six are in the regional hospital on the island of Sal; two of the six hospitalised are in intensive care, but most of the survivors are starting to regain their strength,\" Nuno Santos, a local civil protection commander, told Cape Verdean television.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are asking the Senegalese government to do everything possible to repatriate our sons who are still alive, and to bring back the bodies of those who have been found dead,\" said Mr Boye.<\/p>\n<p>The Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is working to repatriate its nationals \"as soon as possible\".<\/p>\n<p>\"May such a tragedy never befall our village again,\" prayed the imam.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sadness and anger<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the narrow dirt streets that border the religious building, people continue to come out and gather.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday evening, sadness gave way to anger. Young people burnt tyres and blocked the main road with tree trunks, accusing the authorities of not having done enough to find the boat in time.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday morning, police vehicles were parked at the entrance to the town.<\/p>\n<p>\"Young people spend months at sea only to come home empty-handed,\"\u00a0says Amedi Dieye, 53, who says he lost two brothers-in-law. \"The authorities have sold off all our resources, so they are responsible for this tragedy.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Many young people from the village who have gone to Europe buy cars and build houses on their return. My son also wanted the same thing,\" says Abdou Aziz S\u00e8ne, father of a 25-year-old man who disappeared.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"He wanted to go to Europe because he couldn't make a living here any more,\" he confides.<\/p>\n<p>Senegal has suffered numerous migration tragedies in recent years. Sixteen migrants died on the night of 23 and 24 July when their boat sank near Dakar, just a few days after at least 13 Senegalese lost their lives off the coast of Morocco.<\/p>\n<p>At the end of July, the Senegalese government presented a national strategy to combat irregular migration, focusing on prevention, border control, repression, and the return and reintegration of migrants.\u00a0But departures punctuate life in Senegal's coastal towns year after year.<\/p>\n<p>The residents of Fass Boye will gather on Sunday to pay their last respects to the dead and missing.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692350368,"publishedAt":1692358105,"updatedAt":1692373296,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/18\/a-fishing-town-in-cape-verde-prays-for-those-who-died-on-treacherous-journey-to-europe","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f8e381b8-aa4f-5a93-bdb6-c0b684bc0686-7830548.jpg","altText":"A man prays in a Mosque in Fass Boye.","caption":"A man prays in a Mosque in Fass Boye.","captionCredit":"SEYLLOU \/ AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/05\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_dcd59dad-f955-558c-984a-140c2cbd0021-7830548.jpg","altText":"Relatives and friends pray in Fass Boye. ","caption":"Relatives and friends pray in Fass Boye. 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military leaders to discuss Niger coup at Ghana summit","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Ecowas military leaders to discuss Niger coup at Ghana summit","titleListing2":"Ecowas military leaders to discuss Niger coup at Ghana summit","leadin":"The meeting comes a week after ECOWAS said a standby force could be used to resolve the crisis in Niger.","summary":"The meeting comes a week after ECOWAS said a standby force could be used to resolve the crisis in Niger.","url":"ecowas-military-leaders-to-discuss-niger-coup-at-ghana-summit","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Military leaders from the West African ECOWAS bloc are to meet in Ghana on Thursday to discuss a possible intervention to resolve the coup in Niger.\u00a0 \n\nPresident Mohamed Bazoum has been held under house arrest with his wife and son since the armed junta overthrew him on 26 July. \n\nECOWAS, backed by France and the US, has said the junta\u2019s leaders should restore the democratically elected president to power. \n\nThis meeting, initially scheduled for 12 August, had been postponed and will finally take place on 17 and 18 August in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, according to a regional military source and a source within ECOWAS. \n\nIt will be held a week after the organisation's decision to deploy a \"standby force\" to restore President Mohamed Bazoum. \n\nRussia and Mali \n\nOn Tuesday, during a telephone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Malian counterpart Assimi Go\u00efta, who came to power by a putsch in 2020, stressed \"the importance of resolving the situation\" in Niger, \"only by means peaceful politico-diplomatic\". \n\nMali, a neighbouring country of Niger, very quickly showed its solidarity with the military in power in Niamey. \n\nThe latter also raised their voices on Monday evening in the face of the threat of armed intervention. \n\nThey recalled Niger's ambassador to Abidjan for \"consultation\", after remarks by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara who, according to them, \"apologised for armed action\" against their country. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Military leaders from the West African ECOWAS bloc are to meet in Ghana on Thursday to discuss a possible intervention to resolve the coup in Niger.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>President Mohamed Bazoum has been held under house arrest with his wife and son since the armed junta overthrew him on 26 July.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//82//39//06//808x539_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg/" alt=\"Gbemiga Olamikan/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/384x256_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/640x427_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/750x500_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/828x552_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/1080x720_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/1200x800_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/1920x1281_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">File- Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum smiles before a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron, Feb. 16, 2023 at the Elysee Palace in Paris.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Gbemiga Olamikan/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>ECOWAS, backed by France and the US, has said the junta\u2019s leaders should restore the democratically elected president to power.<\/p>\n<p>This meeting, initially scheduled for 12 August, had been postponed and will finally take place on 17 and 18 August in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, according to a regional military source and a source within ECOWAS.<\/p>\n<p>It will be held a week after the organisation's decision to deploy a \"standby force\" to restore President Mohamed Bazoum.<\/p>\n<h2>Russia and Mali<\/h2><p>On Tuesday, during a telephone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Malian counterpart Assimi Go\u00efta, who came to power by a putsch in 2020, stressed \"the importance of resolving the situation\" in Niger, \"only by means peaceful politico-diplomatic\".<\/p>\n<p>Mali, a neighbouring country of Niger, very quickly showed its solidarity with the military in power in Niamey.<\/p>\n<p>The latter also raised their voices on Monday evening in the face of the threat of armed intervention.<\/p>\n<p>They recalled Niger's ambassador to Abidjan for \"consultation\", after remarks by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara who, according to them, \"apologised for armed action\" against their country.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692098454,"publishedAt":1692107570,"updatedAt":1692540960,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/15\/ecowas-military-leaders-to-discuss-niger-coup-at-ghana-summit","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/58\/12\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d9565d83-4da8-56f5-bde0-be25dbd9a9a0-7815812.jpg","altText":"Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, centre first row, poses for a group photo with other West African leaders before an ECOWAS meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. Thursday, Aug. 10","caption":"Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, centre first row, poses for a group photo with other West African leaders before an ECOWAS meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. Thursday, Aug. 10","captionCredit":"Gbemiga Olamikan\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":586},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/39\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8ae989bb-62dd-5504-bf77-d78cf5a06fb9-7823906.jpg","altText":"File- Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum smiles before a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron, Feb. 16, 2023 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. ","caption":"File- Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum smiles before a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron, Feb. 16, 2023 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. ","captionCredit":"Gbemiga Olamikan\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28942,"slug":"coup-in-niger","urlSafeValue":"coup-in-niger","title":"Coup in Niger","titleRaw":"Coup in Niger"},{"id":3706,"slug":"niamey","urlSafeValue":"niamey","title":"Niamey","titleRaw":"Niamey"},{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2343522},{"id":2345366},{"id":2345846}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/15\/en\/230815_NWSU_52763603_52765402_35000_160809_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":35000,"filesizeBytes":4834551,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/15\/en\/230815_NWSU_52763603_52765402_35000_160809_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":35000,"filesizeBytes":7142135,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n7xw7","youtubeId":"VEkzHSZExNo"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP, AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":{"id":3706,"urlSafeValue":"niamey","title":"Niamey"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','sm_politics','gs_politics_misc','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','neg_intel_mobkoi','neg_ukraine_russia_war','shadow9hu7_pos_ukraine-russia','gs_auto','neg_facebook','neg_mobkoi_creed_eng','gt_negative','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/15\/ecowas-military-leaders-to-discuss-niger-coup-at-ghana-summit","lastModified":1692540960},{"id":2345846,"cid":7821564,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230814_NWSU_52751878","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Niger: President Bazoum to be tried for high treason, says coup leaders ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Niger: President Bazoum to be tried for high treason, says junta","titleListing2":"Niger: President Bazoum to be tried for high treason, says coup leaders ","leadin":"The announcement was made just hours after the junta said they were open to dialogue with West African nations to resolve the crisis.","summary":"The announcement was made just hours after the junta said they were open to dialogue with West African nations to resolve the crisis.","url":"niger-president-bazoum-to-be-tried-for-high-treason-says-coup-leaders","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Niger's military that toppled Mohamed Bazoum has said it will prosecute the deposed president for treason. \n\nThe announcement was made by a coup spokesperson on national television just hours after the junta said they were open to dialogue with West African nations to resolve the regional crisis. \n\n\"The Nigerien government has so far gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international bodies, for high treason and undermining Niger's internal and external security, following his exchanges with nationals, foreign heads of state and heads of international organisations,\" said\u00a0Col. Major Amadou Abdramane. \n\nThe announcement said high-ranking West African politicians and \u201ctheir international mentors\u201d have made false allegations and attempted to derail a peaceful solution to the crisis in order to justify a military intervention.\u00a0 \n\nIt said Bazoum was being charged following his exchanges with these people. The statement did not identify specific Western countries and did not specify a date for the trial. \n\nNiger's democratically-elected president was ousted by members of his presidential guard on 26\u00a0July.\u00a0He has since been under house arrest in the capital, Niamey. \n\nIf found guilty, Bazoum could face the death penalty, according to Niger\u2019s penal code. \n\nWest Africa's ECOWAS regional bloc has ordered the deployment of a standby force and imposed economic sanctions - which the junta has denounced as \"illegal, inhumane and humiliating.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Niger's military that toppled Mohamed Bazoum has said it will prosecute the deposed president for treason.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement was made by a coup spokesperson on national television just hours after the junta said they were open to dialogue with West African nations to resolve the regional crisis.<\/p>\n<p>\"The Nigerien government has so far gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international bodies, for high treason and undermining Niger's internal and external security, following his exchanges with nationals, foreign heads of state and heads of international organisations,\" said\u00a0Col. Major Amadou Abdramane.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement said high-ranking West African politicians and \u201ctheir international mentors\u201d have made false allegations and attempted to derail a peaceful solution to the crisis in order to justify a military intervention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It said Bazoum was being charged following his exchanges with these people. The statement did not identify specific Western countries and did not specify a date for the trial.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7820280,7815350\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//13//niger-coup-ledar-say-that-the-door-is-open-to-diplomacy/">Niger coup leaders say that the \"door is open\" to diplomacy<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//10//ecowas-orders-deployment-of-force-to-restore-constitutional-order-in-niger/">Ecowas orders deployment of force to restore constitutional order in Niger<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Niger's democratically-elected president was ousted by members of his presidential guard on 26\u00a0July.\u00a0He has since been under house arrest in the capital, Niamey.<\/p>\n<p>If found guilty, Bazoum could face the death penalty, according to Niger\u2019s penal code.<\/p>\n<p>West Africa's ECOWAS regional bloc has ordered the deployment of a standby force and imposed economic sanctions - which the junta has denounced as \"illegal, inhumane and humiliating.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692008673,"publishedAt":1692023298,"updatedAt":1692024309,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/14\/niger-president-bazoum-to-be-tried-for-high-treason-says-coup-leaders","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/15\/64\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9e166bbf-2d52-57da-be4d-bf68120e78fa-7821564.jpg","altText":"Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum walks past Republican Guards before a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at the Elysee Palace ","caption":"Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum walks past Republican Guards before a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at the Elysee Palace ","captionCredit":"Michel Euler\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/15\/78\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0c2025a8-57b2-58b2-b311-78dd20c29ffd-7821578.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"AP 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coup leaders say that the \"door is open\" to diplomacy","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Niger coup leaders say that the \"door is open\" to diplomacy","titleListing2":"After ignoring sanctions and deadlines by the west and ECOWAS, the military junta now says they are willing to find a path to peace.","leadin":"After ignoring sanctions and deadlines by the west and ECOWAS, the military junta now says they are willing to find a path to peace.","summary":"After ignoring sanctions and deadlines by the west and ECOWAS, the military junta now says they are willing to find a path to peace.","url":"niger-coup-ledar-say-that-the-door-is-open-to-diplomacy","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"One week after a deadline passed for mutinous soldiers in Niger to reinstate the elected president or face military intervention, coup leaders are now open to diplomacy to resolve a standoff with West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS, a group of senior Nigerian Islamic scholars said on Sunday after meeting the junta in Niamey. \n\n\nGeneral Abdourahamane Tiani \"declared that his door was open to explore the path of diplomacy and peace in order to resolve the crisis.\" \n\nMore soon on this story. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>One week after a deadline passed for mutinous soldiers in Niger to reinstate the elected president or face military intervention, coup leaders are now open to diplomacy to resolve a standoff with West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS, a group of senior Nigerian Islamic scholars said on Sunday after meeting the junta in Niamey. <\/p>\n<p>General Abdourahamane Tiani \"declared that his door was open to explore the path of diplomacy and peace in order to resolve the crisis.\"<\/p>\n<p><em>More soon on this story.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691945614,"publishedAt":1691950916,"updatedAt":1691951012,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/13\/niger-coup-ledar-say-that-the-door-is-open-to-diplomacy","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/02\/74\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_86b7ea88-a7ec-5448-87d2-c7c740ea4406-7820274.jpg","altText":"Military junta in the streets of Niger.","caption":"Military junta in the streets of Niger.","captionCredit":"-\/AFP or licensors","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":699}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28942,"slug":"coup-in-niger","urlSafeValue":"coup-in-niger","title":"Coup in Niger","titleRaw":"Coup in 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Africa's former president avoids jail as prisoners granted remission","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"South Africa's former president granted remission, avoiding jail time","titleListing2":"South Africa's former president avoids jail as prisoners granted remission","leadin":"The main opposition party has described the remission granted to former president Jacob Zuma as a disgrace to the country\u2019s criminal justice system.","summary":"The main opposition party has described the remission granted to former president Jacob Zuma as a disgrace to the country\u2019s criminal justice system.","url":"south-africas-former-president-avoids-jail-as-prisoners-granted-remission","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Former South African President Jacob Zuma returned to jail on Friday, only to be released two hours later, and reportedly will not be required to complete his prison sentence. \n\nThe Correctional Services national commissioner said his release was part of a remission programme, with overcrowding in prisons cited as the main reason. \n\nZuma was incarcerated in 2021 for defying a court order to appear at a corruption inquiry. But, controversially, was released two months into his 15-month sentence for health reasons. \n\nHowever, last month a court declared his medical parole unlawful and unconstitutional and ordered the former president to present himself at the Estcourt Correctional Centre. \n\nBut President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday announced he was granting a special remission of sentences to some 10,000 non-violent offenders. \n\nAs pressure from opposition parties to the decision mounted, the authorities and correctional services defended their decision. \n\n\"The law has taken its course with regards to the former president Zuma. The national commissioner has taken a decision and that decision was not interfered with, neither did we meddle with it,\" the Justice and Correctional Services minister told journalists. \n\nThe ruling African National Congress has welcomed Zuma's remission status. But the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has described the move as a disgrace to the country\u2019s criminal justice system. \n\nIt says it will take legal action to challenge the decision. \n\nZuma's imprisonment in 2021 triggered violent protests in which over 300 people were killed, and there were fears that if he were sent back to jail there could be more rioting. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Former South African President Jacob Zuma returned to jail on Friday, only to be released two hours later, and reportedly will not be required to complete his prison sentence.<\/p>\n<p>The Correctional Services national commissioner said his release was part of a remission programme, with overcrowding in prisons cited as the main reason.<\/p>\n<p>Zuma was incarcerated in 2021 for defying a court order to appear at a corruption inquiry. But, controversially, was released two months into his 15-month sentence for health reasons.<\/p>\n<p>However, last month a court declared his medical parole unlawful and unconstitutional and ordered the former president to present himself at the Estcourt Correctional Centre.<\/p>\n<p>But President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday announced he was granting a special remission of sentences to some 10,000 non-violent offenders.<\/p>\n<p>As pressure from opposition parties to the decision mounted, the authorities and correctional services defended their decision.<\/p>\n<p>\"The law has taken its course with regards to the former president Zuma. The national commissioner has taken a decision and that decision was not interfered with, neither did we meddle with it,\" the Justice and Correctional Services minister told journalists.<\/p>\n<p>The ruling African National Congress has welcomed Zuma's remission status. But the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has described the move as a disgrace to the country\u2019s criminal justice system.<\/p>\n<p>It says it will take legal action to challenge the decision.<\/p>\n<p>Zuma's imprisonment in 2021 triggered violent protests in which over 300 people were killed, and there were fears that if he were sent back to jail there could be more rioting.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691749091,"publishedAt":1691760284,"updatedAt":1691761327,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/11\/south-africas-former-president-avoids-jail-as-prisoners-granted-remission","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/68\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0534c53a-1160-52a8-a4d8-609fc27e04b8-7816822.jpg","altText":"Former South African president Jacob Zuma","caption":"Former South African president Jacob Zuma","captionCredit":"Jerome Delay\/Copyright 2019 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":11209,"slug":"jacob-zuma","urlSafeValue":"jacob-zuma","title":"Jacob Zuma","titleRaw":"Jacob Zuma"},{"id":7889,"slug":"south-africa","urlSafeValue":"south-africa","title":"South Africa","titleRaw":"South Africa"},{"id":4886,"slug":"jail","urlSafeValue":"jail","title":"Jail","titleRaw":"Jail"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":34800,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":4850729,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/11\/en\/230811_NWSU_52730372_52730404_34800_152830_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":34800,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":7156777,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/11\/en\/230811_NWSU_52730372_52730404_34800_152830_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n5hbj","youtubeId":"vmeCGqDFUOA"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"agencies","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":257,"urlSafeValue":"south-africa","title":"South Africa","url":"\/news\/africa\/south-africa"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gs_science','gs_fooddrink','gs_science_geography','gs_food','gs_fooddrink_alcohol','gs_news_and_weather','gs_science_weather'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/11\/south-africas-former-president-avoids-jail-as-prisoners-granted-remission","lastModified":1691761327},{"id":2343670,"cid":7815724,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230811_NWSU_52725941","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Tunisia and Libya agree to share responsibility for migrants stranded on border","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Tunisia and Libya agree to share responsibility for stranded migrants","titleListing2":"A spokesperson for Tunisia's interior ministry said migrants were transferred to reception centres and provided with health and psychological care, with the help of the Tunisian Red Crescent.","leadin":"A spokesperson for Tunisia's interior ministry said migrants were transferred to reception centres and provided with health and psychological care, with the help of the Tunisian Red Crescent.","summary":"A spokesperson for Tunisia's interior ministry said migrants were transferred to reception centres and provided with health and psychological care, with the help of the Tunisian Red Crescent.","url":"tunisia-and-libya-agree-to-share-responsibility-for-migrants-stranded-on-border","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Tunisia and Libya announced on Thursday an agreement to share responsibility for providing shelter for hundreds of migrants stranded at their border. \n\nThe migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan African countries, had been driven to the desert area of Ras Jedir by Tunisian authorities and left there to fend for themselves, according to witnesses, rights groups and UN agencies. \n\nAid groups said hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan African countries remain stranded there in life-threatening conditions. \n\nA spokesman for Tunisia's interior ministry, Faker Bouzghaya, said during a joint meeting with Libyan authorities in Tunis that \"we have agreed to share the groups of migrants who are at the border.\" \n\nHe said the groups were transferred on Wednesday to reception centres in the cities of Tatouine and Medenine and provided with health and psychological care, with the help of the Tunisian Red Crescent. \n\nUnder the agreement, Libya will take in the remaining 150-200 migrants, humanitarian sources said. \n\nThe Libyan interior ministry earlier on Thursday announced the bilateral agreement to \"put an end to the crisis of irregular migrants stranded in the border area\". \n\nIn a later statement, it said there were no more migrants stranded at the border following the agreement, adding that joint patrols were being organised to \"secure the border\". \n\nRacial tensions had flared in Tunisia's second city of Sfax after the 3 July killing of a Tunisian man following an altercation with migrants. \n\nUp to 1,200 Africans were \"expelled, or forcibly transferred by Tunisian security forces\" to desert border regions with Libya and Algeria, Human Rights Watch said. \n\nUntil Wednesday, around 50 migrants per day had continued to arrive in Libya at Al-Assah before being rescued by Libyan guards, according to reports from a humanitarian worker. \n\nLibyan authorities have come under sharp criticism by the UN over reported violence against migrants, about 600,000 of whom reside in the war-scarred North African country. \n\nThe two North African countries are major gateways for migrants and asylum seekers attempting perilous voyages in often rickety boats in the hopes of a better life in Europe. \n\nThe United Nations has described the central Mediterranean migration route as the world's deadliest, claiming hundreds of lives each year. \n\nMore than 1,800 people have died attempting the route so far this year, according to figures released by the International Organization for Migration. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Tunisia and Libya announced on Thursday an agreement to share responsibility for providing shelter for hundreds of migrants stranded at their border.<\/p>\n<p>The migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan African countries, had been driven to the desert area of Ras Jedir by Tunisian authorities and left there to fend for themselves, according to witnesses, rights groups and UN agencies.<\/p>\n<p>Aid groups said hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan African countries remain stranded there in life-threatening conditions.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesman for Tunisia's interior ministry, Faker Bouzghaya, said during a joint meeting with Libyan authorities in Tunis that \"we have agreed to share the groups of migrants who are at the border.\"<\/p>\n<p>He said the groups were transferred on Wednesday to reception centres in the cities of Tatouine and Medenine and provided with health and psychological care, with the help of the Tunisian Red Crescent.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//81//57//24//808x539_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg/" alt=\"Yousef Murad/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/384x256_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/640x427_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/750x500_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/828x552_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/1080x720_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/1200x800_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/1920x1281_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">African migrants protest on the Libyan border with Tunisia on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2023.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Yousef Murad/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Under the agreement, Libya will take in the remaining 150-200 migrants, humanitarian sources said.<\/p>\n<p>The Libyan interior ministry earlier on Thursday announced the bilateral agreement to \"put an end to the crisis of irregular migrants stranded in the border area\".<\/p>\n<p>In a later statement, it said there were no more migrants stranded at the border following the agreement, adding that joint patrols were being organised to \"secure the border\".<\/p>\n<p>Racial tensions had flared in Tunisia's second city of Sfax after the 3 July killing of a Tunisian man following an altercation with migrants.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-euronews\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//embed//2279814/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Up to 1,200 Africans were \"expelled, or forcibly transferred by Tunisian security forces\" to desert border regions with Libya and Algeria, Human Rights Watch said.<\/p>\n<p>Until Wednesday, around 50 migrants per day had continued to arrive in Libya at Al-Assah before being rescued by Libyan guards, according to reports from a humanitarian worker.<\/p>\n<p>Libyan authorities have come under sharp criticism by the UN over reported violence against migrants, about 600,000 of whom reside in the war-scarred North African country.<\/p>\n<p>The two North African countries are major gateways for migrants and asylum seekers attempting perilous voyages in often rickety boats in the hopes of a better life in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>The United Nations has described the central Mediterranean migration route as the world's deadliest, claiming hundreds of lives each year.<\/p>\n<p>More than 1,800 people have died attempting the route so far this year, according to figures released by the International Organization for Migration.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691710908,"publishedAt":1691742987,"updatedAt":1691744406,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/11\/tunisia-and-libya-agree-to-share-responsibility-for-migrants-stranded-on-border","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d2e8f3fa-59f5-5465-94b6-9847c07ea8e3-7815728.jpg","altText":"A migrant from Africa, stranded on the seashore at the Libyan-Tunisian border in Ras Jedir, seeks help from the International organisation for Migration, 26 July 2023","caption":"A migrant from Africa, stranded on the seashore at the Libyan-Tunisian border in Ras Jedir, seeks help from the International organisation for Migration, 26 July 2023","captionCredit":"MAHMUD TURKIA\/AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":682},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/57\/24\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e5fa833c-e1b8-56c8-af4c-57f891cdc5c5-7815724.jpg","altText":"African migrants protest on the Libyan border with Tunisia on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2023. ","caption":"African migrants protest on the Libyan border with Tunisia on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2023. ","captionCredit":"Yousef Murad\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":8191,"slug":"tunisia","urlSafeValue":"tunisia","title":"Tunisia","titleRaw":"Tunisia"},{"id":172,"slug":"libya","urlSafeValue":"libya","title":"Libya","titleRaw":"Libya"},{"id":12102,"slug":"migrant-crisis","urlSafeValue":"migrant-crisis","title":"Migrant Crisis","titleRaw":"Migrant Crisis"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"euronews","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2322492},{"id":2324118},{"id":2342162}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":35000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":4479727,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/11\/en\/230811_NWSU_52725941_52725963_35000_105220_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":35000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":6751983,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/11\/en\/230811_NWSU_52725941_52725963_35000_105220_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n5c92","youtubeId":"L8SxPef0RrM"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":283,"urlSafeValue":"tunisia","title":"Tunisia","url":"\/news\/africa\/tunisia"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_death_injury','gs_science','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gs_genres','gs_entertain_vidgames','gs_vidgames'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/11\/tunisia-and-libya-agree-to-share-responsibility-for-migrants-stranded-on-border","lastModified":1691744406},{"id":2343522,"cid":7815350,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230810_NWSU_52723797","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Ecowas orders deployment of force to restore constitutional order in Niger","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Ecowas orders 'standby force' to restore constitutional order in Niger","titleListing2":"Ecowas orders deployment of force to restore constitutional order in Niger","leadin":"West Africa leaders have directed the deployment of a \u2018standby force\u2019 to restore democracy in Niger after the coup.","summary":"West Africa leaders have directed the deployment of a \u2018standby force\u2019 to restore democracy in Niger after the coup.","url":"ecowas-orders-deployment-of-force-to-restore-constitutional-order-in-niger","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Ecowas bloc in West Africa has ordered the deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger, even as coup leaders say they'll kill the ousted president if neighbouring countries intervene. \n\nWest African leaders meeting in Nigeria have directed the deployment of a \u2018standby force\u2019 to restore democracy in Niger after the coup. \n\nStandby force \n\nBut two Western officials have told The Associated Press that junta leaders in Niger told an American diplomat that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be killed if there was any attempt to intervene militarily. \n\nRepresentatives of the junta told US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat to Bazoum during her visit to the country this week, a Western military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. \n\nBazoum, who was deposed on July 26, says he is being held hostage at his residence and the United Nations has expressed concern that he and his family have only limited food and water. \n\nEcowas gave no details about the make-up, location and proposed date of deployment for any military intervention force following its meeting on Thursday in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. \n\nClarification \n\nAsked for clarification, the president of the Ecowas commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said he could only reaffirm the decisions by \"the military authorities in the subregion to deploy a standby force of the community.\" \n\nFinancing had been discussed and \"appropriate measures have been taken,\" he said. \n\nHe blamed the junta for any hardship caused by the sanctions imposed on Niger and said further actions by the bloc would be taken jointly, not by any single country. \n\n\"It is not one country against another country. The community has instruments to which all members have subscribed to,\" he said. \n\nAfter the junta defied the deadline of Sunday set by Ecowas to reinstate Bazoum, analysts say the bloc may be running out of options as support fades for intervention. \n\nClosed-door meeting \n\nNine of the 11 heads of state expected to attend were present, including the presidents of Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. The non-Ecowas leaders of Mauritania and Burundi also participated in the closed-door meeting. \n\n\"It is crucial that we prioritise diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach,\" said Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the bloc, said before the closed part of the meeting. \n\nNiger was seen as the last country in the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert that Western nations could partner with to counter jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people. The international community is scrambling to find a peaceful solution to the country's leadership crisis. \n\n\"Let me tell you, any coup that has succeeded beyond 24 hours has come to stay. So, as it is, they are speaking from the point of strength and advantage,\" said Oladeinde Ariyo, a security analyst in Nigeria. \"So, negotiating with them will have to be on their terms.\" \n\nGeneral Abdourahmane Tchiani \n\nOn Wednesday, a Nigerian delegation led by the former Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi, met the junta's leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. The former emir was one of few people allowed to meet Tchiani. \n\nWhen Nuland met with the coup leaders earlier this week, she was denied access to both Tchiani and Bazoum. A separate delegation comprised of Ecowas, the United Nations and the African Union was barred from coming at all. \n\nEcowas has failed to stem past coups throughout the region. Niger is the fourth country in the 15-member state bloc to have experienced a coup in the last three years. \n\nThe bloc has imposed harsh economic and travel sanctions. \n\nBut as the junta becomes more entrenched, the options for negotiations are becoming limited, said Andrew Lebovich, a research fellow with the Clingendael Institute. \n\n\"It's very difficult to say what might come out of it, but the fact that the initial deadline passed without intervention and that the (junta) has continued to hold a fairly firm line, indicate that they think they can outlast this pressure,\" he said. \n\nThe main parties' positions are dangerously far apart, according to the International Crisis Group, a think tank, which said that if dialogue is going to succeed, each side is going to have to make concessions, which they've so far refused to do. \n\nTies with France \n\nSince seizing power, the junta has cut ties with France and exploited popular grievances toward its former colonial ruler to shore up its support base. It also has asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates in a handful of African countries and has been accused of committing human rights abuses. \n\nMoscow is using Wagner and other channels of influence to discredit Western nations, asserted Lou Osborn, an investigator with All Eyes on Wagner, a project focusing on the group. \n\nTactics include using social media to spread rumours about Wagner's upcoming arrival in Niger and employing fake accounts to mobilise demonstrations and spread false narratives, Osborn said. \"Their objective is not to support the junta or an alternative political approach but to sow discord, create chaos, destabilise,\" she said. \n\nWagner mercenaries \n\nShe pointed to a Telegram post on Wednesday by an alleged Wagner operative, Alexander Ivanov, asserting that France had begun the \"mass removal of children\" likely to be used for slave labour and sexual exploitation. \n\nNeither Russia's government nor Wagner responded to questions. \n\nWhile there's no reason to believe Russia was behind the coup, it will leverage the opportunity to gain a stronger foothold in the region, something Western nations were trying to avoid, Sahel experts say. \n\nFrance and the United States have more than 2,500 military personnel in Niger and along with other European nations have poured hundreds of millions of dollars of military assistance into propping up the country's forces. Much of that aid has now been suspended. \n\nMeanwhile, Niger's approximately 25 million people are feeling the impact of the sanctions. \n\nSome neighbourhoods in the capital, Niamey have little access to electricity and there are frequent power cuts across the city. The country gets up to 90% of its power from Nigeria, which has cut off some of the supply. \n\nSince the coup, Hamidou Albade, 48, said he's been unable to run his shop on the outskirts of Niamey because there's been no electricity. He also works as a taxi driver but lost business there, too, because a lot of his foreign clients have left the city. \n\n\"It's very difficult, I just sit at home doing nothing,\" he said. Still, he supports the junta. \"We're suffering now, but I know the junta will find a solution to get out of the crisis,\" he said. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Ecowas bloc in West Africa has ordered the deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger, even as coup leaders say they'll kill the ousted president if neighbouring countries intervene.<\/p>\n<p>West African leaders meeting in Nigeria have directed the deployment of a \u2018standby force\u2019 to restore democracy in Niger after the coup.<\/p>\n<h2>Standby force<\/h2><p>But two Western officials have told The Associated Press that junta leaders in Niger told an American diplomat that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be killed if there was any attempt to intervene militarily.<\/p>\n<p>Representatives of the junta told US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat to Bazoum during her visit to the country this week, a Western military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.<\/p>\n<p>Bazoum, who was deposed on July 26, says he is being held hostage at his residence and the United Nations has expressed concern that he and his family have only limited food and water.<\/p>\n<p>Ecowas gave no details about the make-up, location and proposed date of deployment for any military intervention force following its meeting on Thursday in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.<\/p>\n<h3>Clarification<\/h3><p>Asked for clarification, the president of the Ecowas commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said he could only reaffirm the decisions by \"the military authorities in the subregion to deploy a standby force of the community.\"<\/p>\n<p>Financing had been discussed and \"appropriate measures have been taken,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>He blamed the junta for any hardship caused by the sanctions imposed on Niger and said further actions by the bloc would be taken jointly, not by any single country.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is not one country against another country. The community has instruments to which all members have subscribed to,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>After the junta defied the deadline of Sunday set by Ecowas to reinstate Bazoum, analysts say the bloc may be running out of options as support fades for intervention.<\/p>\n<h2>Closed-door meeting<\/h2><p>Nine of the 11 heads of state expected to attend were present, including the presidents of Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. The non-Ecowas leaders of Mauritania and Burundi also participated in the closed-door meeting.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is crucial that we prioritise diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach,\" said Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the bloc, said before the closed part of the meeting.<\/p>\n<p>Niger was seen as the last country in the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert that Western nations could partner with to counter jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people. The international community is scrambling to find a peaceful solution to the country's leadership crisis.<\/p>\n<p>\"Let me tell you, any coup that has succeeded beyond 24 hours has come to stay. So, as it is, they are speaking from the point of strength and advantage,\" said Oladeinde Ariyo, a security analyst in Nigeria. \"So, negotiating with them will have to be on their terms.\"<\/p>\n<h2>General Abdourahmane Tchiani<\/h2><p>On Wednesday, a Nigerian delegation led by the former Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi, met the junta's leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. The former emir was one of few people allowed to meet Tchiani.<\/p>\n<p>When Nuland met with the coup leaders earlier this week, she was denied access to both Tchiani and Bazoum. A separate delegation comprised of Ecowas, the United Nations and the African Union was barred from coming at all.<\/p>\n<p>Ecowas has failed to stem past coups throughout the region. Niger is the fourth country in the 15-member state bloc to have experienced a coup in the last three years.<\/p>\n<p>The bloc has imposed harsh economic and travel sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>But as the junta becomes more entrenched, the options for negotiations are becoming limited, said Andrew Lebovich, a research fellow with the Clingendael Institute.<\/p>\n<p>\"It's very difficult to say what might come out of it, but the fact that the initial deadline passed without intervention and that the (junta) has continued to hold a fairly firm line, indicate that they think they can outlast this pressure,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>The main parties' positions are dangerously far apart, according to the International Crisis Group, a think tank, which said that if dialogue is going to succeed, each side is going to have to make concessions, which they've so far refused to do.<\/p>\n<h2>Ties with France<\/h2><p>Since seizing power, the junta has cut ties with France and exploited popular grievances toward its former colonial ruler to shore up its support base. It also has asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates in a handful of African countries and has been accused of committing human rights abuses.<\/p>\n<p>Moscow is using Wagner and other channels of influence to discredit Western nations, asserted Lou Osborn, an investigator with All Eyes on Wagner, a project focusing on the group.<\/p>\n<p>Tactics include using social media to spread rumours about Wagner's upcoming arrival in Niger and employing fake accounts to mobilise demonstrations and spread false narratives, Osborn said. \"Their objective is not to support the junta or an alternative political approach but to sow discord, create chaos, destabilise,\" she said.<\/p>\n<h2>Wagner mercenaries<\/h2><p>She pointed to a Telegram post on Wednesday by an alleged Wagner operative, Alexander Ivanov, asserting that France had begun the \"mass removal of children\" likely to be used for slave labour and sexual exploitation.<\/p>\n<p>Neither Russia's government nor Wagner responded to questions.<\/p>\n<p>While there's no reason to believe Russia was behind the coup, it will leverage the opportunity to gain a stronger foothold in the region, something Western nations were trying to avoid, Sahel experts say.<\/p>\n<p>France and the United States have more than 2,500 military personnel in Niger and along with other European nations have poured hundreds of millions of dollars of military assistance into propping up the country's forces. Much of that aid has now been suspended.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Niger's approximately 25 million people are feeling the impact of the sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>Some neighbourhoods in the capital, Niamey have little access to electricity and there are frequent power cuts across the city. The country gets up to 90% of its power from Nigeria, which has cut off some of the supply.<\/p>\n<p>Since the coup, Hamidou Albade, 48, said he's been unable to run his shop on the outskirts of Niamey because there's been no electricity. He also works as a taxi driver but lost business there, too, because a lot of his foreign clients have left the city.<\/p>\n<p>\"It's very difficult, I just sit at home doing nothing,\" he said. Still, he supports the junta. \"We're suffering now, but I know the junta will find a solution to get out of the crisis,\" he said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691686258,"publishedAt":1691686883,"updatedAt":1691730607,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/10\/ecowas-orders-deployment-of-force-to-restore-constitutional-order-in-niger","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg","altText":"The defence chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ","caption":"The defence chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ","captionCredit":"Chinedu Asadu\/Copyright 2023 The AP. 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Serbia has emerged as an important, if at first look surprising, partner of choice. \n\nTypically, when it comes to trade, African countries tend to focus their efforts on places such as the UK or the EU, with whom many have long-established links.\u00a0And this is not that different at all.\u00a0 \n\nUganda\u2019s \"new\" pitch toward Serbia is no such thing. In fact, the two countries already enjoy long-standing ties reaching back to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which Serbia \u2014 as part of the former Yugoslavia\u00a0\u2014 helped to found, and of which Uganda takes up the chairmanship later this year. \n\nFrom the Non-Aligned to the Open Balkan \n\nThe movement has been going through a revival in recent years, as many countries wish to stay neutral and outside of the increasingly polarising power struggles between the East and the West.\u00a0 \n\nTo such countries, NAM offers both a safe haven and a network that dates back to the Cold War era, and today represents a ready-made club of shared connections. \n\nSerbia also offers a unique gateway to markets for so long inaccessible to Africa. In a unique position of holding Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU, Turkey, and the UAE, the Balkan country offers a unique entry point for Ugandan products such as coffee, fresh produce and cocoa.\u00a0 \n\nThe regional \"mini-Schengen\" initiative, Open Balkan, that Serbia is a part of, only expands the market potential further.\u00a0 \n\nOnce a direct transport link between Belgrade and the Ugandan key transportation hub Entebbe is established\u00a0\u2014 which Air Serbia and Uganda Airlines intend to do through a codeshare agreement next year\u00a0\u2014 there will be a new, direct commercial and cargo route from Africa to Europe and onwards to all of Serbia\u2019s regional FTA partners. \n\nThere are also business opportunities for Serbia in the opposite direction.\u00a0 \n\nUganda has one of the world\u2019s fastest-growing media markets, powered by a population with a median age of 17.\u00a0Serbia\u2019s media sector and film and TV industry dominate the Balkan region but have little room to expand there.\u00a0 \n\nThere is a construction and infrastructure boom in Belgrade, and similarly in Uganda where Serbian companies such as Energoprojekt dating back to Yugoslav times are already well established. \n\nComplementary economies and EU import tariffs \n\nMoreover, Uganda is a complementary economy to Serbia, meaning the two produce things that the other does not and cannot.\u00a0 \n\nThe climate in Serbia doesn't allow you to grow a single pineapple, banana, or coffee bean any time of the year.\u00a0In Uganda, these products can grow all year round.\u00a0 \n\nThis is why the two economies are not competitors on the global market, and that means there is a lot they can offer to each other. \n\nBut it is, perhaps, value addition in the Ugandan coffee sector\u00a0\u2014 processing coffee in Uganda before export\u00a0\u2014 where Serbia can contribute the most, and reap the greatest reward. \n\nIt may be surprising to know that Germany is in fact the world's largest exporter of freeze-dried instant coffee.\u00a0 \n\nThis country, which also cannot grow a single bean, outpaces almost the entirety of coffee-producing Africa for income made from the coffee business. \n\nGermany has no special technology that others do not possess. The simple reason why they're number one in this industry are the punitive EU import tariffs that have stopped the import of anything other than raw coffee from Africa into Europe in its tracks.\u00a0 \n\nTo put it simply, European tariffs are so exceptionally high, it is actually cheaper to produce freeze-dried coffee in high-wage Germany than it is to create a single job in the coffee processing industry in sub-Saharan Africa. \n\nThis is just the beginning \n\nThis means the value-addition sector has been hobbled for decades by a trade policy made elsewhere in the name of free trade but which is in fact protectionism, pure and simple.\u00a0 \n\nBut this is changing. The UK has recently unveiled highly generous and advantageous new trade tariffs for Africa, which will enable the import of coffee processed in Africa to the fifth-largest world economy.\u00a0 \n\nIn time, this is set to lead to increasing pressure on the EU to change its own prohibitive trade policies. \n\nAnd this is where the opportunity lies for Serbia. The country\u2019s coffee sector which itself is large, is now intending to offer through investment and joint ventures one of the first opportunities for Uganda since independence to develop its own processing industry. \n\nThe opening of a new Ugandan trade hub in Belgrade is just the beginning.\u00a0 \n\nMore will follow in other key locations including the UK, US, and Dubai. But the agreements signed in Serbia last week lay the foundations for all the rest while breathing new life into a little-known, but in fact long-standing and increasingly fruitful partnership. \n\nOdrek Rwabwogo is a Ugandan farmer and Chair of Uganda\u2019s Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), and\u00a0Bratislav Stoiljkovi\u0107 is a Serbian entrepreneur and Uganda\u2019s trade representative to southeastern Europe. \n\nAt Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation. \n\n\n","htmlText":"<p>It\u2019s not often you see an African leader travel to southeastern Europe on a state visit.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, just last week, President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni met his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107, officially opening Uganda\u2019s new, Belgrade-based trade hub, and signing a number of agreements promoting trade between the two countries.<\/p>\n<p>For agriculture-dominated Uganda, aggressive growth of export revenue has been identified as critical to its economic recovery and the ultimate goal of\u00a0the East African country\u2019s further industrialisation. Serbia has emerged as an important, if at first look surprising, partner of choice.<\/p>\n<p>Typically, when it comes to trade, African countries tend to focus their efforts on places such as the UK or the EU, with whom many have long-established links.\u00a0And this is not that different at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Uganda\u2019s \"new\" pitch toward Serbia is no such thing. In fact, the two countries already enjoy long-standing ties reaching back to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which Serbia \u2014 as part of the former Yugoslavia\u00a0\u2014 helped to found, and of which Uganda takes up the chairmanship later this year.<\/p>\n<h2>From the Non-Aligned to the Open Balkan<\/h2><p>The movement has been going through a revival in recent years, as many countries wish to stay neutral and outside of the increasingly polarising power struggles between the East and the West.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To such countries, NAM offers both a safe haven and a network that dates back to the Cold War era, and today represents a ready-made club of shared connections.<\/p>\n<p>Serbia also offers a unique gateway to markets for so long inaccessible to Africa. In a unique position of holding Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU, Turkey, and the UAE, the Balkan country offers a unique entry point for Ugandan products such as coffee, fresh produce and cocoa.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6396484375\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//93//16//808x518_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/384x246_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/640x409_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/750x480_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/828x530_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1080x691_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1200x768_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1920x1228_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A worker observes the billboard highlighting the High-Level Commemorative Meeting to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, in Belgrade, October 2021<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The regional \"mini-Schengen\" initiative, Open Balkan, that Serbia is a part of, only expands the market potential further.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Once a direct transport link between Belgrade and the Ugandan key transportation hub Entebbe is established\u00a0\u2014 which Air Serbia and Uganda Airlines intend to do through a codeshare agreement next year\u00a0\u2014 there will be a new, direct commercial and cargo route from Africa to Europe and onwards to all of Serbia\u2019s regional FTA partners.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7628938,7161316\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2022//10//28//urusla-von-der-leyen-on-charm-tour-in-the-balkans/">Urusla von der Leyen on charm tour in the Balkans<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//06//01//is-eu-membership-dream-for-the-western-balkans-a-slowly-fading-prospect-with-no-future/">Is EU membership dream for the Western Balkans a slowly fading prospect with no future?<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are also business opportunities for Serbia in the opposite direction.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Uganda has one of the world\u2019s fastest-growing media markets, powered by a population with a median age of 17.\u00a0Serbia\u2019s media sector and film and TV industry dominate the Balkan region but have little room to expand there.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There is a construction and infrastructure boom in Belgrade, and similarly in Uganda where Serbian companies such as Energoprojekt dating back to Yugoslav times are already well established.<\/p>\n<h2>Complementary economies and EU import tariffs<\/h2><p>Moreover, Uganda is a complementary economy to Serbia, meaning the two produce things that the other does not and cannot.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The climate in Serbia doesn't allow you to grow a single pineapple, banana, or coffee bean any time of the year.\u00a0In Uganda, these products can grow all year round.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This is why the two economies are not competitors on the global market, and that means there is a lot they can offer to each other.<\/p>\n<p>But it is, perhaps, value addition in the Ugandan coffee sector\u00a0\u2014 processing coffee in Uganda before export\u00a0\u2014 where Serbia can contribute the most, and reap the greatest reward.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">European tariffs are so exceptionally high, it is actually cheaper to produce freeze-dried coffee in high-wage Germany than it is to create a single job in the coffee processing industry in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6826171875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//93//16//808x553_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg/" alt=\"Stephen Wandera/AP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/384x262_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/640x437_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/750x512_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/828x565_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1080x737_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1200x819_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1920x1311_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Coffee beans are sorted by hand in Kasese, western Uganda, October 2015<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Stephen Wandera/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It may be surprising to know that Germany is in fact the world's largest exporter of freeze-dried instant coffee.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This country, which also cannot grow a single bean, outpaces almost the entirety of coffee-producing Africa for income made from the coffee business.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7606070,7410760\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//05//15//extreme-weather-is-making-coffee-cost-more-and-taste-worse-report-warns/">Extreme weather is making coffee cost more and taste worse, report warns<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//02//19//climate-change-is-redrawing-the-coffee-growing-map-heres-how-farmers-are-clinging-on/">Climate change is redrawing the coffee growing map. Here's how farmers are clinging on<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Germany has no special technology that others do not possess. The simple reason why they're number one in this industry are the punitive EU import tariffs that have stopped the import of anything other than raw coffee from Africa into Europe in its tracks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To put it simply, European tariffs are so exceptionally high, it is actually cheaper to produce freeze-dried coffee in high-wage Germany than it is to create a single job in the coffee processing industry in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n<h2>This is just the beginning<\/h2><p>This means the value-addition sector has been hobbled for decades by a trade policy made elsewhere in the name of free trade but which is in fact protectionism, pure and simple.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But this is changing. The UK has recently unveiled highly generous and advantageous new trade tariffs for Africa, which will enable the import of coffee processed in Africa to the fifth-largest world economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//93//16//808x539_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg/" alt=\"Dan Kitwood/WPA Rota\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/1920x1281_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, hold a press conference at Windsor, February 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Dan Kitwood/WPA Rota<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In time, this is set to lead to increasing pressure on the EU to change its own prohibitive trade policies.<\/p>\n<p>And this is where the opportunity lies for Serbia. The country\u2019s coffee sector which itself is large, is now intending to offer through investment and joint ventures one of the first opportunities for Uganda since independence to develop its own processing industry.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7725500,7670260\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//03//south-american-trade-bloc-mercosur-holds-summit-for-eu-trade-deal/">South American trade bloc Mercosur holds summit for EU trade deal<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2023//06//12//uk-bill-to-revoke-eu-laws-could-have-negative-impact-on-trade-brussels-warns/">UK bill to revoke EU laws could have 'negative impact on trade', Brussels warns<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The opening of a new Ugandan trade hub in Belgrade is just the beginning.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>More will follow in other key locations including the UK, US, and Dubai. But the agreements signed in Serbia last week lay the foundations for all the rest while breathing new life into a little-known, but in fact long-standing and increasingly fruitful partnership.<\/p>\n<p><em>Odrek Rwabwogo is a Ugandan farmer and Chair of Uganda\u2019s Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), and\u00a0Bratislav Stoiljkovi\u0107 is a Serbian entrepreneur and Uganda\u2019s trade representative to southeastern Europe.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/news/\"mailto:view@euronews.com\">view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691490595,"publishedAt":1691511286,"updatedAt":1691511319,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/08\/this-is-why-the-serbia-uganda-trade-deal-makes-perfect-sense","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7da70bc0-0e70-59a8-a5bc-2216da2360d7-7809316.jpg","altText":"Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni reviews the honour guard in Belgrade, July 2023","caption":"Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni reviews the honour guard in Belgrade, July 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_db56c726-4a33-5e83-9616-b0618d287296-7809316.jpg","altText":"Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, hold a press conference at Windsor, February 2023","caption":"Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, hold a press conference at Windsor, February 2023","captionCredit":"Dan Kitwood\/WPA Rota","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f3342ac8-05e5-5124-b5ed-9f29e0c81cec-7809316.jpg","altText":"A worker observes the billboard highlighting the High-Level Commemorative Meeting to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, in Belgrade, October 2021","caption":"A worker observes the billboard highlighting the High-Level Commemorative Meeting to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, in Belgrade, October 2021","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Darko Vojinovic","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":655},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_041638b8-6b6f-539a-bf0a-da54c24a7924-7809316.jpg","altText":"Coffee beans are sorted by hand in Kasese, western Uganda, October 2015","caption":"Coffee beans are sorted by hand in Kasese, western Uganda, October 2015","captionCredit":"Stephen Wandera\/AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":699},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/93\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_35b79a80-79a7-514a-9cef-6cfcadf6d4ab-7809316.jpg","altText":"Alice Sanyu, a production adviser with the local government inspects coffee beans in Kasese, western Uganda, October 2015","caption":"Alice Sanyu, a production adviser with the local government inspects coffee beans in Kasese, western Uganda, October 2015","captionCredit":"Stephen Wandera\/AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":648}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":287,"slug":"uganda","urlSafeValue":"uganda","title":"Uganda","titleRaw":"Uganda"},{"id":246,"slug":"serbia","urlSafeValue":"serbia","title":"Serbia","titleRaw":"Serbia"},{"id":11053,"slug":"foreign-trade","urlSafeValue":"foreign-trade","title":"Foreign trade","titleRaw":"Foreign 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says there is still room for mediation in Niger but junta turns away ECOWAS negotiating mission","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Brussels says there is still room for mediation efforts in Niger","titleListing2":"The European Union has suspended all activities with Niger, including financial assistance and civilian and security cooperation.","leadin":"The European Union has suspended all activities with Niger, including financial assistance, and civilian and security cooperation.","summary":"The European Union has suspended all activities with Niger, including financial assistance, and civilian and security cooperation.","url":"nigers-coup-leaders-announce-a-new-prime-minister","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The European Union said there was still room for mediation efforts in Niger, which has been grappling with uncertainty since mutinous soldiers led a coup on 26 July. \n\n\n\"We are not working together with the current illegitimate authorities in Niger,\" said European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano, speaking on Tuesday at a news conference in Brussels. \n\nRegional tensions have mounted since the coup nearly two weeks ago when mutinous soldiers detained President Mohamed Bazoum and installed former presidential guard head Abdourahamane Tchiani as head of state. \n\n\"There will be no positive consequences if this military coup is allowed to proceed,\" Stano warned. \n\n\"We still believe that there is a space, there is a room for mediation efforts. So we will not go beyond and speculate,\" Stano added. \n\nNigeriens are facing deepening uncertainty about whether a regional bloc will follow through on its threat to use military force to try to reinstall the ousted president or if last-minute diplomacy will prevail.\u00a0 \n\nNew Prime Minister \n\nAn economist and former government minister has been selected to be the new prime minister by coup leaders in Niamey. \n\nNiger's military coup leaders announced the appointment of Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as prime minister on Monday evening in a statement read out on national television, at a time when the international community is seeking to restore constitutional order. \n\n\"Mr (Ali Mahaman) Lamine Zeine has been appointed Prime Minister\", Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane reported. \n\n\"Lieutenant-Colonel Habibou Assoumane\" has also been \"appointed Commander of the Presidential Guard\", added Mr Abdramane. \n\nECOWAS ultimatum \n\nThese appointments come a day after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave the ruling military an ultimatum to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to office. The organisation did not rule out the use of force if this demand was not met. \n\nNiger's Western and African partners are divided on the question of military intervention to return power to civilians, before ECOWAS meets again on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria. \n\nOn Tuesday AFP reported it had seen a letter from the coup\u2019s leaders to ECOWAS, postponing the visit of a delegation to Niamey on security grounds. \n\nPresident Bazoum \n\nPresident Bazoum has remained sequestered in his private residence since the day of the coup. \n\nAli Mahaman Lamine Zeine, an economist by training, has held ministerial positions in previous governments in Niger and was also a resident representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Chad, C\u00f4te d'Ivoire and Gabon. \n\nBorn in 1965 in Zinder South, Niger's second most populous town, he joined the Ministry of Economy and Finance in 1991 after studying at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA) in Niamey. He is also a graduate of the Centre d'Etudes Financi\u00e8res, Economiques et Bancaires in Marseille and Paris. \n\n","htmlText":"<h2>The European Union said there was still room for mediation efforts in Niger, which has been grappling with uncertainty since mutinous soldiers led a coup on 26 July.<\/h2><p>\"We are not working together with the current illegitimate authorities in Niger,\" said European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano, speaking on Tuesday at a news conference in Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>Regional tensions have mounted since the coup nearly two weeks ago when mutinous soldiers detained President Mohamed Bazoum and installed former presidential guard head Abdourahamane Tchiani as head of state.<\/p>\n<p>\"There will be no positive consequences if this military coup is allowed to proceed,\" Stano warned.<\/p>\n<p>\"We still believe that there is a space, there is a room for mediation efforts. So we will not go beyond and speculate,\" Stano added.<\/p>\n<p>Nigeriens are facing deepening uncertainty about whether a regional bloc will follow through on its threat to use military force to try to reinstall the ousted president or if last-minute diplomacy will prevail.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><strong>New Prime Minister<\/strong><\/h2><p>An economist and former government minister has been selected to be the new prime minister by coup leaders in Niamey.<\/p>\n<p>Niger's military coup leaders announced the appointment of Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as prime minister on Monday evening in a statement read out on national television, at a time when the international community is seeking to restore constitutional order.<\/p>\n<p>\"Mr (Ali Mahaman) Lamine Zeine has been appointed Prime Minister\", Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane reported.<\/p>\n<p>\"Lieutenant-Colonel Habibou Assoumane\" has also been \"appointed Commander of the Presidential Guard\", added Mr Abdramane.<\/p>\n<h2>ECOWAS ultimatum<\/h2><p>These appointments come a day after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave the ruling military an ultimatum to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to office. The organisation did not rule out the use of force if this demand was not met.<\/p>\n<p>Niger's Western and African partners are divided on the question of military intervention to return power to civilians, before ECOWAS meets again on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday AFP reported it had seen a letter from the coup\u2019s leaders to ECOWAS, postponing the visit of a delegation to Niamey on security grounds.<\/p>\n<h2>President Bazoum<\/h2><p>President Bazoum has remained sequestered in his private residence since the day of the coup.<\/p>\n<p>Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, an economist by training, has held ministerial positions in previous governments in Niger and was also a resident representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Chad, C\u00f4te d'Ivoire and Gabon.<\/p>\n<p>Born in 1965 in Zinder South, Niger's second most populous town, he joined the Ministry of Economy and Finance in 1991 after studying at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA) in Niamey. He is also a graduate of the Centre d'Etudes Financi\u00e8res, Economiques et Bancaires in Marseille and Paris.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691497426,"publishedAt":1691499646,"updatedAt":1691516344,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/08\/nigers-coup-leaders-announce-a-new-prime-minister","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/96\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ebaa1da0-e9f3-5997-bc70-093acf57454e-7809616.jpg","altText":"File: Niger\u2019s minister of Economy and Finance, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, (left) briefs reporters at IMF Headquarters, Washington DC. October 12, 2008","caption":"File: Niger\u2019s minister of Economy and Finance, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, (left) briefs reporters at IMF Headquarters, Washington DC. October 12, 2008","captionCredit":"Joel Ryan\/AP2011","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":746}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":213,"slug":"niger","urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","titleRaw":"Niger"},{"id":3,"slug":"africa","urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa","titleRaw":"Africa"},{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2339390},{"id":2340188},{"id":2341072}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":62000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":8093879,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/08\/en\/230808_NWSU_52695704_52699589_62000_190742_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":62000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":12092087,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/08\/en\/230808_NWSU_52695704_52699589_62000_190742_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n3enw","youtubeId":"8h3UYPT9Kf8"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP, AFP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gs_science','gs_science_geography','african_related_content_fr','gs_busfin'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/08\/nigers-coup-leaders-announce-a-new-prime-minister","lastModified":1691516344},{"id":2341072,"cid":7808060,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230807_NWSU_52688496","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"'Window of opportunity open' to resolve Niger coup diplomatically, says US, as tension mounts ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"ECOWAS to meet Thursday after Niger junta defies key deadline ","titleListing2":"ECOWAS to meet Thursday after Niger\u2019s junta defies key deadline and shuts airspace","leadin":"Mali said it and Burkina Faso, both neighbours of Niger run by military juntas, were sending delegations to Niger to show support. Both countries have said they would consider any intervention in Niger as a declaration of war against them.","summary":"Mali said it and Burkina Faso, both neighbours of Niger run by military juntas, were sending delegations to Niger to show support. Both countries have said they would consider any intervention in Niger as a declaration of war against them.","url":"ecowas-to-meet-thursday-after-nigers-junta-defies-key-deadline-and-shuts-airspace","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Leaders of West Africa's regional bloc said Monday that they would meet later this week to discuss next steps after Niger's military junta defied a deadline to reinstate the country's ousted president while its mutinous soldiers closed the country\u2019s airspace and accused foreign powers of preparing an attack. \n\nThe meeting was scheduled for Thursday in Abuja, the capital of neighbouring Nigeria, according to a spokesman for the ECOWAS bloc. \n\nIn Niger, state television reported the junta's latest actions Sunday night, hours before the deadline set by ECOWAS, which has warned of using military force if the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum is not returned to power. \n\n\nA spokesman for the coup leaders, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, noted \u201cthe threat of intervention being prepared in a neighbouring country,\u201d and said Niger's airspace will be closed until further notice. Any attempt to fly over the country will be met with \u201can energetic and immediate response.\u201d \n\nThe junta also claimed that two central African countries were preparing for an invasion, but did not name them. It called on Niger's population to defend the nation. \n\nThe United States said on Monday that it is still possible to put an end to the coup through diplomacy. \n\n\"It is still possible. We believe that the junta should withdraw and allow President (Mohamed) Bazoum to resume his duties\", State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. \n\nThe use of force is a solution of \"last resort\" for ECOWAS, said Matthew Miller, adding that the United States was \"focused on finding a diplomatic solution. \n\nThe coup toppled Bazoum, whose ascendency was Niger\u2019s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France in 1960. The coup also raised questions about the future of the fight against extremism in Africa\u2019s Sahel region, where Russia and Western countries have vied for influence. \n\n\nInternational airlines have begun to divert flights around Niger, which the United States and others had seen as the last major counterterrorism partner in the Sahel, south of the Sahara Desert, where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are expanding their influence. \n\nRegion divided\u00a0 \n\nAlso Monday, Mali said it and Burkina Faso, both neighbours of Niger run by military juntas, were sending delegations to Niger to show support. Both countries have said they would consider any intervention in Niger as a declaration of war against them. \n\nThe Associated Press saw several security officers from Burkina Faso at a hotel in Niger\u2019s capital. \n\nRegional tensions have mounted since Niger's coup nearly two weeks ago, when mutinous soldiers detained Bazoum and installed Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, former head of the presidential guard, as head of state. Analysts believe the coup was triggered by a power struggle between Tchiani and the president, who was about to fire him. \n\nIt was not immediately clear what ECOWAS leaders will do now. The region is divided on a course of action. There was no sign of military forces gathering at Niger's border with Nigeria, the likely entry point by land. \n\nNigeria\u2019s Senate has pushed back on the plan to invade, urging Nigeria\u2019s president, the bloc\u2019s current chair, to explore options other than the use of force. ECOWAS can still move ahead, as final decisions are made by consensus by member states. \n\nGuinea and neighbouring Algeria, which is not an ECOWAS member, have come out against the use of force. Senegal\u2019s government has said it would participate in a military operation if it went ahead, and Ivory Coast has expressed support for the bloc's efforts to restore constitutional order. \n\nThe junta does not appear interested in negotiation. An ECOWAS delegation sent to Niger last week for hours of talks was not allowed to leave the airport and met only with Tchiani's representatives. \n\nThe junta has also asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates in a handful of African countries, including Mali, according to Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center. \n\nUS officials say they are still able to communicate with Bazoum and that their most recent contact was Monday. \n\nTwo officials said the administration of US President Joe Biden intends to maintain both a diplomatic and military presence in Niger for the foreseeable future. \n\n\nThe administration is still weighing whether the developments amount to a coup, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic discussions. They said there was still time for Niger\u2019s military leaders to reverse course. \n\nIf the US determines that a democratically elected government has been toppled by unconstitutional means, federal law requires a cutoff of most American assistance, particularly military aid. \n\nPro-junta rallies in Niamey \n\nSince the coup, extremists have been ecstatic because they are able to move around more freely without fear of attack, Boubacar Moussa, a former jihadi fighter, told the AP. He had joined a nationwide program that encourages fighters to defect and reintegrate into society. The program's fate is unclear. \n\nMoussa said he\u2019s received at least 10 phone calls from active jihadis in the Tillaberi region near the Mali border who said there\u2019s been no concern about airstrikes. If there\u2019s a military intervention by ECOWAS, they likely will attack the capital, Niamey, he said. \n\nAt a rally on Sunday, thousands cheered junta leaders who said their loyalty would be repaid. \n\n\u201cWe are with you against them. We will give you the Niger that you are owed,\u201d Brig. Gen. Mohamed Toumba said. After his speech, rallygoers beheaded a chicken decorated in the colours of former colonizer France. \n\nThe junta is exploiting anti-French sentiments to shore up its support base and has severed security ties with France, which still has 1,500 military personnel in Niger for counterterrorism efforts. \n\nOn Monday, France\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally discouraged any travel to Niger, Burkina Faso or Mali, and called on French nationals to be extremely vigilant. France has suspended almost 500 million euros ($550 million) in aid to Burkina Faso. \n\nIt's not clear what will happen to the French military presence, or to the 1,100 US military personnel also in Niger. \n\nMany people, largely youth, have rallied around the junta, taking to the streets at night to patrol after being urged to guard against foreign intervention. \n\n\u201cWhile they (jihadists) kill our brothers and sisters ... ECOWAS didn\u2019t intervene. Is it now that they will intervene?\u201d said Amadou Boukari, a coup supporter at Sunday's rally. \u201cShame on ECOWAS.\u201d \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Leaders of West Africa's regional bloc said Monday that they would meet later this week to discuss next steps after Niger's military junta defied a deadline to reinstate the country's ousted president while its mutinous soldiers closed the country\u2019s airspace and accused foreign powers of preparing an attack.<\/p>\n<p>The meeting was scheduled for Thursday in Abuja, the capital of neighbouring Nigeria, according to a spokesman for the ECOWAS bloc.<\/p>\n<p>In Niger, state television reported the junta's latest actions Sunday night, hours before the deadline set by ECOWAS, which has warned of using military force if the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum is not returned to power. <\/p>\n<p>A spokesman for the coup leaders, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, noted \u201cthe threat of intervention being prepared in a neighbouring country,\u201d and said Niger's airspace will be closed until further notice. Any attempt to fly over the country will be met with \u201can energetic and immediate response.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The junta also claimed that two central African countries were preparing for an invasion, but did not name them. It called on Niger's population to defend the nation.<\/p>\n<p>The United States said on Monday that it is still possible to put an end to the coup through diplomacy.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is still possible. We believe that the junta should withdraw and allow President (Mohamed) Bazoum to resume his duties\", State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>The use of force is a solution of \"last resort\" for ECOWAS, said Matthew Miller, adding that the United States was \"focused on finding a diplomatic solution.<\/p>\n<p>The coup toppled Bazoum, whose ascendency was Niger\u2019s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France in 1960. The coup also raised questions about the future of the fight against extremism in Africa\u2019s Sahel region, where Russia and Western countries have vied for influence. <\/p>\n<p>International airlines have begun to divert flights around Niger, which the United States and others had seen as the last major counterterrorism partner in the Sahel, south of the Sahara Desert, where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are expanding their influence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6513671875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//80//60//808x525_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg/" alt=\"Chinedu Asadu/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/384x250_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/640x417_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/750x489_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/828x539_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/1080x703_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/1200x782_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/1920x1251_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The defense chiefs from ECOWAS countries excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Niger, during their extraordinary meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Aug. 4, 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Chinedu Asadu/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3>Region divided<\/h3><p>Also Monday, Mali said it and Burkina Faso, both neighbours of Niger run by military juntas, were sending delegations to Niger to show support. Both countries have said they would consider any intervention in Niger as a declaration of war against them.<\/p>\n<p>The Associated Press saw several security officers from Burkina Faso at a hotel in Niger\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n<p>Regional tensions have mounted since Niger's coup nearly two weeks ago, when mutinous soldiers detained Bazoum and installed Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, former head of the presidential guard, as head of state. Analysts believe the coup was triggered by a power struggle between Tchiani and the president, who was about to fire him.<\/p>\n<p>It was not immediately clear what ECOWAS leaders will do now. The region is divided on a course of action. There was no sign of military forces gathering at Niger's border with Nigeria, the likely entry point by land.<\/p>\n<p>Nigeria\u2019s Senate has pushed back on the plan to invade, urging Nigeria\u2019s president, the bloc\u2019s current chair, to explore options other than the use of force. ECOWAS can still move ahead, as final decisions are made by consensus by member states.<\/p>\n<p>Guinea and neighbouring Algeria, which is not an ECOWAS member, have come out against the use of force. Senegal\u2019s government has said it would participate in a military operation if it went ahead, and Ivory Coast has expressed support for the bloc's efforts to restore constitutional order.<\/p>\n<p>The junta does not appear interested in negotiation. An ECOWAS delegation sent to Niger last week for hours of talks was not allowed to leave the airport and met only with Tchiani's representatives.<\/p>\n<p>The junta has also asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates in a handful of African countries, including Mali, according to Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center.<\/p>\n<p>US officials say they are still able to communicate with Bazoum and that their most recent contact was Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Two officials said the administration of US President Joe Biden intends to maintain both a diplomatic and military presence in Niger for the foreseeable future. <\/p>\n<p>The administration is still weighing whether the developments amount to a coup, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic discussions. They said there was still time for Niger\u2019s military leaders to reverse course.<\/p>\n<p>If the US determines that a democratically elected government has been toppled by unconstitutional means, federal law requires a cutoff of most American assistance, particularly military aid.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1687606843193913345\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3>Pro-junta rallies in Niamey<\/h3><p>Since the coup, extremists have been ecstatic because they are able to move around more freely without fear of attack, Boubacar Moussa, a former jihadi fighter, told the AP. He had joined a nationwide program that encourages fighters to defect and reintegrate into society. The program's fate is unclear.<\/p>\n<p>Moussa said he\u2019s received at least 10 phone calls from active jihadis in the Tillaberi region near the Mali border who said there\u2019s been no concern about airstrikes. If there\u2019s a military intervention by ECOWAS, they likely will attack the capital, Niamey, he said.<\/p>\n<p>At a rally on Sunday, thousands cheered junta leaders who said their loyalty would be repaid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are with you against them. We will give you the Niger that you are owed,\u201d Brig. Gen. Mohamed Toumba said. After his speech, rallygoers beheaded a chicken decorated in the colours of former colonizer France.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.7021484375\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//80//60//808x569_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg/" alt=\"Sam Mednick/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/384x270_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/640x449_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/750x527_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/828x581_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/1080x758_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/1200x843_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/1920x1348_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Supporters of Niger's ruling junta hold a Russian flag in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Sam Mednick/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The junta is exploiting anti-French sentiments to shore up its support base and has severed security ties with France, which still has 1,500 military personnel in Niger for counterterrorism efforts.<\/p>\n<p>On Monday, France\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally discouraged any travel to Niger, Burkina Faso or Mali, and called on French nationals to be extremely vigilant. France has suspended almost 500 million euros ($550 million) in aid to Burkina Faso.<\/p>\n<p>It's not clear what will happen to the French military presence, or to the 1,100 US military personnel also in Niger.<\/p>\n<p>Many people, largely youth, have rallied around the junta, taking to the streets at night to patrol after being urged to guard against foreign intervention.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile they (jihadists) kill our brothers and sisters ... ECOWAS didn\u2019t intervene. Is it now that they will intervene?\u201d said Amadou Boukari, a coup supporter at Sunday's rally. \u201cShame on ECOWAS.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691434121,"publishedAt":1691438758,"updatedAt":1691874609,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/07\/ecowas-to-meet-thursday-after-nigers-junta-defies-key-deadline-and-shuts-airspace","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e7ad61ee-215b-5140-a24a-f4857fc4f5ba-7808070.jpg","altText":"ECOWAS leaders say they will meet on Thursday to discuss next steps in Niger crisis. ","caption":"ECOWAS leaders say they will meet on Thursday to discuss next steps in Niger crisis. ","captionCredit":"-\/AFP or licensors","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3266,"height":2177},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cf39a30a-836c-59ea-907b-3bd9dd984616-7808060.jpg","altText":"Supporters of Niger's ruling junta hold a Russian flag in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. ","caption":"Supporters of Niger's ruling junta hold a Russian flag in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. ","captionCredit":"Sam Mednick\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":719},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/80\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d99bd84a-9761-5788-b058-7f83389966bf-7808060.jpg","altText":"The defense chiefs from ECOWAS countries excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Niger, during their extraordinary meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Aug. 4, 2023","caption":"The defense chiefs from ECOWAS countries excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Niger, during their extraordinary meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Aug. 4, 2023","captionCredit":"Chinedu Asadu\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":667}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":213,"slug":"niger","urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","titleRaw":"Niger"},{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"},{"id":27254,"slug":"military-junta","urlSafeValue":"military-junta","title":"military junta","titleRaw":"military junta"},{"id":7863,"slug":"coup","urlSafeValue":"coup","title":"Coup","titleRaw":"Coup"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"twitter","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2341640}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/07\/en\/230807_NWSU_52688496_52689176_79280_230517_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":79280,"filesizeBytes":10488321,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/07\/en\/230807_NWSU_52688496_52689176_79280_230517_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":79280,"filesizeBytes":15843329,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n2ndf","youtubeId":"0eZ3gOa-YJc"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"Agencies ","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'pos_ukrainecriris_ru','gs_science','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_news','gs_news_and_weather','gs_science_environ','gs_science_environment','gs_science_weather','gb_hatespeech_high','gb_hatespeech_high_med','gb_hatespeech_high_med_low','gb_hatespeech_serious','gb_obscenity_high','gb_obscenity_high_med','gb_obscenity_high_med_low','gb_obscenity_serious','gv_hatespeech','gv_obscenity'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/07\/ecowas-to-meet-thursday-after-nigers-junta-defies-key-deadline-and-shuts-airspace","lastModified":1691874609},{"id":2340188,"cid":7805552,"versionId":6,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230807_NWSU_52678224","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Niger airspace closed as coup supporters defy critical deadline","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"","titleListing2":"","leadin":"Supporters of Niger's military junta have gathered in the capital to show defiance of an ultimatum to restore democracy. ","summary":"Supporters of Niger's military junta have gathered in the capital to show defiance of an ultimatum to restore democracy. ","url":"coup-supporters-in-niger-defy-ecowas-deadline","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Thousands of people, showing support for coup leaders in Niger, gathered in Niamey in defiance of an ultimatum by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore the elected president.\u00a0 \n\nCoup leaders appeared at a stadium rally where a chicken, decorated in the colours of former coloniser France, was beheaded. \n\nA deadline by the regional bloc passed at midnight on Sunday night and with the threat of military action if the demands were not met, Niger closed its national airspace. But it is not immediately clear what ECOWAS will do next.\u00a0 \n\nCoup supporters at the rally expressed defiance against both the ECOWAS threat and France's long presence in the region. Some waved Russian flags. \n\nNiger's presidential guard ousted and held democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in the coup on 26 July. \n\nECOWAS immediately imposed sanctions on Niger and gave Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the coup leader, one week to restore Bazoum to power or face the potential use of force. \n\nTchiani has vowed to respond \"immediately\" to any foreign intervention.\u00a0 \n\nThe coup is a major blow to the United States and allies who saw Niger as the last major counterterrorism partner in the Sahel. \n\nAmid threats by ECOWAS, Tchiani has reached out to the Russian Wagner mercenary group for support. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Thousands of people, showing support for coup leaders in Niger, gathered in Niamey in defiance of an ultimatum by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore the elected president.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Coup leaders appeared at a stadium rally where a chicken, decorated in the colours of former coloniser France, was beheaded.<\/p>\n<p>A deadline by the regional bloc passed at midnight on Sunday night and with the threat of military action if the demands were not met, Niger closed its national airspace. But it is not immediately clear what ECOWAS will do next.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Coup supporters at the rally expressed defiance against both the ECOWAS threat and France's long presence in the region. Some waved Russian flags.<\/p>\n<p>Niger's presidential guard ousted and held democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in the coup on 26 July.<\/p>\n<p>ECOWAS immediately imposed sanctions on Niger and gave Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the coup leader, one week to restore Bazoum to power or face the potential use of force.<\/p>\n<p>Tchiani has vowed to respond \"immediately\" to any foreign intervention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The coup is a major blow to the United States and allies who saw Niger as the last major counterterrorism partner in the Sahel.<\/p>\n<p>Amid threats by ECOWAS, Tchiani has reached out to the Russian Wagner mercenary group for support.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691369922,"publishedAt":1691387721,"updatedAt":1691388431,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/07\/coup-supporters-in-niger-defy-ecowas-deadline","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/55\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8def1272-c907-5841-844f-fefb8d451676-7805560.jpg","altText":"Coup supporters rally in Niamey ","caption":"Coup supporters rally in Niamey ","captionCredit":"Sam Mednick\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":684}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"churm","title":"Philip Andrew Churm","twitter":"@TheChurm"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":213,"slug":"niger","urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","titleRaw":"Niger"},{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"},{"id":7863,"slug":"coup","urlSafeValue":"coup","title":"Coup","titleRaw":"Coup"},{"id":3,"slug":"africa","urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa","titleRaw":"Africa"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2339080},{"id":2339390},{"id":2340036}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/07\/en\/230807_NWSU_52678224_52678250_45000_065553_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":45000,"filesizeBytes":5804291,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/07\/en\/230807_NWSU_52678224_52678250_45000_065553_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":45000,"filesizeBytes":8772867,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n1y5q","youtubeId":"XcfSolq9nj4"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gs_science','gv_military','gs_science_geography'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/07\/coup-supporters-in-niger-defy-ecowas-deadline","lastModified":1691388431},{"id":2340036,"cid":7805120,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230806_NWSU_52676570","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Heightened tension in Niger as a deadline for coup leaders to restore democracy expires","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Tension in Niger as deadline to restore democracy expires","titleListing2":"Heightened tension in Niger as a deadline for coup leaders to restore democracy expires","leadin":"Niger's new military leaders have said they will not cave in to external pressure to stand down.","summary":"Niger's new military leaders have said they will not cave in to external pressure to stand down.","url":"heightened-tension-in-niger-as-a-deadline-for-coup-leaders-to-restore-democracy-expires","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Niger\u2019s coup leaders are facing a Sunday deadline set by the regional bloc ECOWAS to release and reinstate the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was set to expire. \n\nIf the junta, which grabbed power on 26 July, does not comply, it may face a foreign military intervention. \n\nIts leaders claim they ousted the president to help them better fight jihadist insurgents and stop corruption. \n\nMany seem willing to believe this explanation and are angry at the threat of force being wielded by neighbouring countries. \n\nOn Sunday, some 30,000 supporters of the coup gathered at a stadium in the capital, Niamey, for a rally attended by junta leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani. \n\nThe new military leaders say they will not cave in to external pressure to stand down and have reportedly asked Russian mercenary group, Wagner to assist. \n\nTwo neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina-Faso, who have both been subject to recent coups, strongly opposed ECOWAS moves and have promised military support for Niger in case of foreign intervention. \n\nBut while some citizens are cheering the coup leaders, others fear what might happen next. In Niamey, people say they hope that talks will take place to avoid any further conflict. \n\nEconomic sanctions imposed by several countries since the coup are making life tougher for citizens, with the price of basic staples such as rice and vegetables increasingly sharply. \n\n\u201cWe want peace, no aggression by foreign countries against another country. Just to be able to afford to eat is a problem for us. So, if there is a war that won\u2019t fix anything, says Niamey resident, Mohamed Noali. \n\nECOWAS, which agreed to the military action last week, has not said what its next steps would be, or exactly what time the deadline expires on Sunday. \n\n","htmlText":"<p><strong>Niger\u2019s coup leaders are facing a Sunday deadline set by the regional bloc ECOWAS to release and reinstate the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was set to expire.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the junta, which grabbed power on 26 July, does not comply, it may face a foreign military intervention.<\/p>\n<p>Its leaders claim they ousted the president to help them better fight jihadist insurgents and stop corruption.<\/p>\n<p>Many seem willing to believe this explanation and are angry at the threat of force being wielded by neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, some 30,000 supporters of the coup gathered at a stadium in the capital, Niamey, for a rally attended by junta leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani.<\/p>\n<p>The new military leaders say they will not cave in to external pressure to stand down and have reportedly asked Russian mercenary group, Wagner to assist.<\/p>\n<p>Two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina-Faso, who have both been subject to recent coups, strongly opposed ECOWAS moves and have promised military support for Niger in case of foreign intervention.<\/p>\n<p>But while some citizens are cheering the coup leaders, others fear what might happen next. In Niamey, people say they hope that talks will take place to avoid any further conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Economic sanctions imposed by several countries since the coup are making life tougher for citizens, with the price of basic staples such as rice and vegetables increasingly sharply.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want peace, no aggression by foreign countries against another country. Just to be able to afford to eat is a problem for us. So, if there is a war that won\u2019t fix anything, says Niamey resident, Mohamed Noali.<\/p>\n<p>ECOWAS, which agreed to the military action last week, has not said what its next steps would be, or exactly what time the deadline expires on Sunday.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691341500,"publishedAt":1691349405,"updatedAt":1691350258,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/06\/heightened-tension-in-niger-as-a-deadline-for-coup-leaders-to-restore-democracy-expires","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/51\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fede3928-440c-5597-b8f0-2e3f318c44c9-7805118.jpg","altText":"Rally in Niamey in support of the coup","caption":"Rally in Niamey in support of the coup","captionCredit":"SOULEYMANE AG ANARA\/AFP or licensors","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3400,"height":2267}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":213,"slug":"niger","urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","titleRaw":"Niger"},{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"},{"id":10523,"slug":"african-politics","urlSafeValue":"african-politics","title":"African politics","titleRaw":"African politics"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2338150},{"id":2339080},{"id":2339390}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/06\/en\/230806_NWSU_52676570_52676631_60000_204956_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":7654645,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/06\/en\/230806_NWSU_52676570_52676631_60000_204956_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11626229,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n1qsp","youtubeId":"Q_Wh3DdSV1Q"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"agencies","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":{"id":3706,"urlSafeValue":"niamey","title":"Niamey"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gs_science','gs_news','gs_news_and_weather','gs_tech','gs_science_geography'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/06\/heightened-tension-in-niger-as-a-deadline-for-coup-leaders-to-restore-democracy-expires","lastModified":1691350258},{"id":2339558,"cid":7803820,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230806_NWSU_52671403","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Deadline for coup leaders in Niger to restore civilian government expires on Sunday","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Niger deadline expires Sunday risking military intervention","titleListing2":"A deadline for coup leaders in Niger to restore civilian government expires on Sunday","leadin":"A deadline to restore civilian government after the recent military coup in Niger expires on Sunday but the bloc of West African nations known as ECOWAS says it still prefers a diplomatic solution.","summary":"A deadline to restore civilian government after the recent military coup in Niger expires on Sunday but the bloc of West African nations known as ECOWAS says it still prefers a diplomatic solution.","url":"deadline-for-coup-leaders-in-niger-to-restore-civilian-government-expires-on-sunday","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The ultimatum was presented by the West African bloc ECOWAS a week ago after the military toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Failure to reinstate him opens up the possibility of using force. \n\n\"We want diplomacy to work, and we want this message clearly transmitted to the leaders of the Junta in Niger that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse what they have done,\" explained\u00a0Abdel-Fatau Musah, the bloc's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. \n\nBut that hasn't happened and there is no sign it will. \n\nThe coup leaders have severed military cooperation with former colonial rulers France, which has 1,500 troops based in Niger.\u00a0 \n\nECOWAS says it has a plan in place for military intervention but it will not elaborate on the details. \n\nTwo neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina-Faso, who have both been subject to recent coups, strongly opposed ECOWAS moves and have promised military support for Niger in case of foreign intervention. \n\nThere are also reports in Western media that the coup leaders in Niger have requested support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. \n\nNiger has been seen as the West\u2019s last reliable counterterrorism partner in a region where coups have been common in recent years. Juntas have rejected former coloniser France and turned toward Russia.\u00a0 \n\nWagner operates in a handful of African countries, including Mali, where human rights groups have accused its forces of deadly abuses. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The ultimatum was presented by the West African bloc ECOWAS a week ago after the military toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Failure to reinstate him opens up the possibility of using force.<\/p>\n<p>\"We want diplomacy to work, and we want this message clearly transmitted to the leaders of the Junta in Niger that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse what they have done,\" explained\u00a0Abdel-Fatau Musah, the bloc's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.<\/p>\n<p>But that hasn't happened and there is no sign it will.<\/p>\n<p>The coup leaders have severed military cooperation with former colonial rulers France, which has 1,500 troops based in Niger.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>ECOWAS says it has a plan in place for military intervention but it will not elaborate on the details.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7803408,7802726,7790456\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//05//nigers-coup-leaders-ask-russian-mercenary-group-wagner-for-help/">Niger's coup leaders ask Russian mercenary group, Wagner, for help<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//05//ecowas-leaders-agree-plan-for-military-action-after-niger-coup-as-deadline-approaches/">ECOWAS leaders agree plan for military action after Niger coup as deadline approaches<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//01//what-could-the-military-coup-in-niger-mean-for-europe-and-the-west/">Niger crisis deepens as European nations evacuate, coup secures support from other juntas<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina-Faso, who have both been subject to recent coups, strongly opposed ECOWAS moves and have promised military support for Niger in case of foreign intervention.<\/p>\n<p>There are also reports in Western media that the coup leaders in Niger have requested support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner.<\/p>\n<p>Niger has been seen as the West\u2019s last reliable counterterrorism partner in a region where coups have been common in recent years. Juntas have rejected former coloniser France and turned toward Russia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Wagner operates in a handful of African countries, including Mali, where human rights groups have accused its forces of deadly abuses.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691270389,"publishedAt":1691307586,"updatedAt":1691323222,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/06\/deadline-for-coup-leaders-in-niger-to-restore-civilian-government-expires-on-sunday","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/04\/78\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4af8d887-42a1-54c9-be69-3266d5a84704-7800478.jpg","altText":"Supporters of Niger's ruling junta gather in Niamey, Niger.","caption":"Supporters of Niger's ruling junta gather in Niamey, Niger.","captionCredit":"Sam Mednick\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"armstrong","title":"Mark Armstrong","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":213,"slug":"niger","urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","titleRaw":"Niger"},{"id":11320,"slug":"ecowas","urlSafeValue":"ecowas","title":"ECOWAS","titleRaw":"ECOWAS"},{"id":28942,"slug":"coup-in-niger","urlSafeValue":"coup-in-niger","title":"Coup in Niger","titleRaw":"Coup in Niger"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":3,"urlSafeValue":"africa","title":"Africa"},"country":{"id":213,"urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","url":"\/news\/africa\/niger"},"town":{"id":3706,"urlSafeValue":"niamey","title":"Niamey"},"grapeshot":"'gb_safe','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_busfin','gv_military','gs_politics','gs_busfin_indus'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/06\/deadline-for-coup-leaders-in-niger-to-restore-civilian-government-expires-on-sunday","lastModified":1691323222},{"id":2339390,"cid":7803408,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230805_NWSU_52669179","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Niger's coup leaders ask Russian mercenary group, Wagner, for help","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Niger's coup leaders ask Russian mercenary group, Wagner, for help","titleListing2":"Niger's coup leaders ask Russian mercenary group, Wagner, for help","leadin":"Niger's military leaders have reportedly asked Russian mercenary group for help against a potential ECOWAS intervention.","summary":"Niger's military leaders have reportedly asked Russian mercenary group for help against a potential ECOWAS intervention.","url":"nigers-coup-leaders-ask-russian-mercenary-group-wagner-for-help","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Niger\u2019s new military junta has reportedly asked Russian mercenary group Wagner for help as the deadline approaches for it to release the country\u2019s ousted president or face possible military intervention by the West African regional bloc. \n\nA journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Centre, Wassim Nasr, told the Associated Press that the request was made during a visit by coup leader, General Salifou Mody, to neighboring Mali. \n\nNasr said three Malian sources and a French diplomat confirmed the meeting, which was first reported by French television station, France 24. \n\n\u201cThey need (Wagner) because they will become their guarantee to hold onto power,\u201d he said, adding that the group is believed to be considering the request. \n\nA Western military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment, told the AP they have also heard reports that the junta asked Wagner for help. \n\nNiger\u2019s junta faces a Sunday deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to release and reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. \n\nDefence chiefs from the regional group on Friday finalised an intervention plan and urged militaries to prepare resources. This after a mediation team sent to Niger on Thursday was not allowed to enter or meet with military government leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani. \n\nFrance\u2019s foreign affairs minister, Catherine Colonna, on Saturday said the threat of an intervention by ECOWAS was credible. \n\n\u201cThere's still a little time left for the putschists to give back power and listen to the unanimous demands of countries in the region and the international community,\u201d she said. \n\nNiger has been seen as the West\u2019s last reliable counterterrorism partner in a region where coups have been common in recent years.\u00a0 \n\n","htmlText":"<p><strong>Niger\u2019s new military junta has reportedly asked Russian mercenary group Wagner for help as the deadline approaches for it to release the country\u2019s ousted president or face possible military intervention by the West African regional bloc.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Centre, Wassim Nasr, told the Associated Press that the request was made during a visit by coup leader, General Salifou Mody, to neighboring Mali.<\/p>\n<p>Nasr said three Malian sources and a French diplomat confirmed the meeting, which was first reported by French television station, France 24.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey need (Wagner) because they will become their guarantee to hold onto power,\u201d he said, adding that the group is believed to be considering the request.<\/p>\n<p>A Western military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment, told the AP they have also heard reports that the junta asked Wagner for help.<\/p>\n<p>Niger\u2019s junta faces a Sunday deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to release and reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.<\/p>\n<p>Defence chiefs from the regional group on Friday finalised an intervention plan and urged militaries to prepare resources. This after a mediation team sent to Niger on Thursday was not allowed to enter or meet with military government leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani.<\/p>\n<p>France\u2019s foreign affairs minister, Catherine Colonna, on Saturday said the threat of an intervention by ECOWAS was credible.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere's still a little time left for the putschists to give back power and listen to the unanimous demands of countries in the region and the international community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Niger has been seen as the West\u2019s last reliable counterterrorism partner in a region where coups have been common in recent years.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691242485,"publishedAt":1691255512,"updatedAt":1691255884,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/05\/nigers-coup-leaders-ask-russian-mercenary-group-wagner-for-help","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/34\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_084e701c-d580-56dd-aff7-a7d4d64705e8-7803418.jpg","altText":"Protesters hold a Russian flag during a demonstration on independence day in Niger","caption":"Protesters hold a Russian flag during a demonstration on independence day in Niger","captionCredit":"AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5568,"height":3712}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":213,"slug":"niger","urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","titleRaw":"Niger"},{"id":7863,"slug":"coup","urlSafeValue":"coup","title":"Coup","titleRaw":"Coup"},{"id":27254,"slug":"military-junta","urlSafeValue":"military-junta","title":"military junta","titleRaw":"military 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rally in Niger, denouncing France, as the country's new junta seeks to justify its coup","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hundreds rally in Niger as country's new junta seeks to justify coup","titleListing2":"Hundreds rally in Niger, denouncing France, as the country's new junta seeks to justify its coup","leadin":"Hundreds demonstrated in support of the new regime in Niamey, as Niger's coup leaders and their supporters remain defiant as a deadline set by neighbouring regional countries to reinstate ousted President Mahomed Bazoum looms.","summary":"Hundreds demonstrated in support of the new regime in Niamey, as Niger's coup leaders and their supporters remain defiant as a deadline set by neighbouring regional countries to reinstate ousted President Mahomed Bazoum looms.","url":"hundreds-rally-in-niger-denouncing-france-as-the-countrys-new-junta-seeks-to-justify-its-c","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hundreds of people rallied in support of Niger's ruling junta in the capital on Thursday, denouncing France and others who have criticised a recent coup \u2014 as the country\u2019s military leaders sought to exploit anti-Western sentiment to shore up their takeover. \n\nAs numbers began to swell at a demonstration organised by the junta and civil society groups on Niger's independence day, protesters in Niamey pumped their fists in the air and chanted out support for neighbouring countries that have also seen military takeovers in recent years. Some waved Russian flags, and one man brandished a Russian and Nigerien flag sewn together. \n\nLast week's coup toppled President Mohamed Bazoum \u2014 whose ascendency marked Niger\u2019s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France. It has been accompanied by strident anti-French sentiment and raised questions about the future of the fight against extremism in Africa's Sahel region, where Russia and Western countries have vied for influence. \n\nThe coup has been strongly condemned by Western countries and the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS, which has threatened to use force to remove the junta if they don\u2019t hand back power to Bazoum. As tensions have grown in the capital and the region, many European countries have moved to evacuate their citizens. \n\nThe French embassy on Twitter said that the country evacuated 1,079 people, including\u00a0 577 French nationals.\u00a0 \n\nAt Thursday's protest, many expressed support for the coup leaders and denounced interference from others. \n\n\u201cFor more than 13 years, the Nigerien people have suffered injustices,\" said protester Moctar Abdou Issa. The junta \"will get us out of this, God willing \u2026 they will free the Nigerien people.\u201d \n\n\u201cWe\u2019re sick of the French,\u201d he added. \n\nIt remains unclear whether the majority of the population supports the coup \u2014 and in many parts of the capital, people went about their lives on Thursday as normal. \n\nIn an address to the nation on Wednesday, the new military ruler, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, lashed out at those who have condemned the coup and called on the population to be ready to defend the nation. \n\nTchiani said Niger will face difficult times ahead and that the \u201chostile and radical\u201d attitudes of those who oppose his rule provide no added value. He called harsh sanctions imposed last week by ECOWAS illegal, unfair, inhuman and unprecedented. \n\nThe bloc has set a deadline of 6 August for the junta to reinstate Bazoum, who remains under house arrest. Its sanctions include halting energy transactions with Niger, which gets up to 90% of its power from neighbouring Nigeria, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. \n\nIn a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, dozens of people from civil society organisations, professional groups and trade unions spoke with the coup leaders about their vision for the country. \n\n\u201cWe are talking about the immediate departure of all foreign forces,\u201d said Mahaman Sanoussi, interim coordinator for M62, an anti-French political alliance that organised Thursday\u2019s protest. \u201cThe dignity of the Nigerien people will be respected by all without exception.\u201d \n\nBut another civil society member at the gathering who refused to be named for security reasons said they left feeling concerned. They had a strong impression that the French military was going to be ousted soon and that members of civil society groups would help the junta do it. \n\nFrance has 1,500 soldiers in Niger who conduct joint operations with its military against jihadis linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, and the United States and other European countries have helped train the nation\u2019s troops. Niger was seen as the West\u2019s last reliable partner in the region, but some in the country see Russia and its Wagner mercenary group, which operates in a handful of African countries, as a powerful alternative. \n\nThe new junta has not said whether it intends to ally with Moscow or stick with Niger\u2019s Western partners, but that question has become central to the unfolding political crisis. Neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso \u2014 both ruled by juntas \u2014 have turned toward Moscow. \n\nAhead of Thursday's demonstration, the French Embassy in Niamey asked Niger's government to take all measures to ensure the security and protection of its premises after it was attacked by protesters a door was set on fire. \n\nThe French military said that five flights using its planes had evacuated more than 1,000 people this week, and France\u2019s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that its evacuation operation has ended. \n\nThe US State Department on Wednesday ordered what it said was the temporary departure of nonessential embassy staff and some family members from Niger as a precaution. It said its embassy would remain open. The Pentagon's press secretary said that the State Department had not requested US military assistance for the departure. \n\nUS President Joe Biden used the occasion of Niger's independence day to call for Bazoum to be released and democracy restored. \n\n\u201cThe Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders. They have expressed their will through free and fair elections \u2014 and that must be respected,\u201d he said in a statement Thursday. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hundreds of people rallied in support of Niger's ruling junta in the capital on Thursday, denouncing France and others who have criticised a recent coup \u2014 as the country\u2019s military leaders sought to exploit anti-Western sentiment to shore up their takeover.<\/p>\n<p>As numbers began to swell at a demonstration organised by the junta and civil society groups on Niger's independence day, protesters in Niamey pumped their fists in the air and chanted out support for neighbouring countries that have also seen military takeovers in recent years. Some waved Russian flags, and one man brandished a Russian and Nigerien flag sewn together.<\/p>\n<p>Last week's coup toppled President Mohamed Bazoum \u2014 whose ascendency marked Niger\u2019s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France. It has been accompanied by strident anti-French sentiment and raised questions about the future of the fight against extremism in Africa's Sahel region, where Russia and Western countries have vied for influence.<\/p>\n<p>The coup has been strongly condemned by Western countries and the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS, which has threatened to use force to remove the junta if they don\u2019t hand back power to Bazoum. As tensions have grown in the capital and the region, many European countries have moved to evacuate their citizens.<\/p>\n<p>The French embassy on Twitter said that the country evacuated 1,079 people, including\u00a0 577 French nationals.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1687040209551032321\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>At Thursday's protest, many expressed support for the coup leaders and denounced interference from others.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor more than 13 years, the Nigerien people have suffered injustices,\" said protester Moctar Abdou Issa. The junta \"will get us out of this, God willing \u2026 they will free the Nigerien people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re sick of the French,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>It remains unclear whether the majority of the population supports the coup \u2014 and in many parts of the capital, people went about their lives on Thursday as normal.<\/p>\n<p>In an address to the nation on Wednesday, the new military ruler, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, lashed out at those who have condemned the coup and called on the population to be ready to defend the nation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//89//98//808x454_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/384x216_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/640x360_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/750x422_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/828x466_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/1080x608_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/1200x675_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/1920x1080_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Worker of Red Cross take care of people evacuated from Niger at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, north of Paris<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Tchiani said Niger will face difficult times ahead and that the \u201chostile and radical\u201d attitudes of those who oppose his rule provide no added value. He called harsh sanctions imposed last week by ECOWAS illegal, unfair, inhuman and unprecedented.<\/p>\n<p>The bloc has set a deadline of 6 August for the junta to reinstate Bazoum, who remains under house arrest. Its sanctions include halting energy transactions with Niger, which gets up to 90% of its power from neighbouring Nigeria, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.<\/p>\n<p>In a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, dozens of people from civil society organisations, professional groups and trade unions spoke with the coup leaders about their vision for the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are talking about the immediate departure of all foreign forces,\u201d said Mahaman Sanoussi, interim coordinator for M62, an anti-French political alliance that organised Thursday\u2019s protest. \u201cThe dignity of the Nigerien people will be respected by all without exception.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But another civil society member at the gathering who refused to be named for security reasons said they left feeling concerned. They had a strong impression that the French military was going to be ousted soon and that members of civil society groups would help the junta do it.<\/p>\n<p>France has 1,500 soldiers in Niger who conduct joint operations with its military against jihadis linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, and the United States and other European countries have helped train the nation\u2019s troops. Niger was seen as the West\u2019s last reliable partner in the region, but some in the country see Russia and its Wagner mercenary group, which operates in a handful of African countries, as a powerful alternative.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//89//98//808x454_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/384x216_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/640x360_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/750x422_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/828x466_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/1080x608_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/1200x675_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/1920x1080_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">With the headquarters of the ruling party burning in the back, supporters of mutinous soldiers demonstrate in Niamey, Niger.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The new junta has not said whether it intends to ally with Moscow or stick with Niger\u2019s Western partners, but that question has become central to the unfolding political crisis. Neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso \u2014 both ruled by juntas \u2014 have turned toward Moscow.<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of Thursday's demonstration, the French Embassy in Niamey asked Niger's government to take all measures to ensure the security and protection of its premises after it was attacked by protesters a door was set on fire.<\/p>\n<p>The French military said that five flights using its planes had evacuated more than 1,000 people this week, and France\u2019s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that its evacuation operation has ended.<\/p>\n<p>The US State Department on Wednesday ordered what it said was the temporary departure of nonessential embassy staff and some family members from Niger as a precaution. It said its embassy would remain open. The Pentagon's press secretary said that the State Department had not requested US military assistance for the departure.<\/p>\n<p>US President Joe Biden used the occasion of Niger's independence day to call for Bazoum to be released and democracy restored.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders. They have expressed their will through free and fair elections \u2014 and that must be respected,\u201d he said in a statement Thursday.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691058363,"publishedAt":1691071492,"updatedAt":1691071926,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/03\/hundreds-rally-in-niger-denouncing-france-as-the-countrys-new-junta-seeks-to-justify-its-c","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9a13f932-298a-50fc-90f2-2be75271d3a8-7798998.jpg","altText":"Supporters of Niger's ruling junta gather at the start of a protest called to fight for the country's freedom and push back against foreign interference in Niamey.","caption":"Supporters of Niger's ruling junta gather at the start of a protest called to fight for the country's freedom and push back against foreign interference in Niamey.","captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b45bf95b-97a8-564e-b791-4ec293aacf89-7798998.jpg","altText":"With the headquarters of the ruling party burning in the back, supporters of mutinous soldiers demonstrate in Niamey, Niger.","caption":"With the headquarters of the ruling party burning in the back, supporters of mutinous soldiers demonstrate in Niamey, Niger.","captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_11ae2d18-616e-511f-9ae6-40a5151179c6-7798998.jpg","altText":"Worker of Red Cross take care of people evacuated from Niger at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, north of Paris","caption":"Worker 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","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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Mass rally in Niger in support of the recent coup with some people carrying Russian flags","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"WATCH: Mass rally in Niger in support of the recent coup","titleListing2":"WATCH: Mass rally in Niger in support of the recent coup with some people carrying Russian flags","leadin":"WATCH: Hundreds of people gather for a mass rally in the Niger capital Niamey in a show of support for the recent military coup with some brandishing giant Russian flags.","summary":"WATCH: Hundreds of people gather for a mass rally in the Niger capital Niamey in a show of support for the recent military coup with some brandishing giant Russian flags.","url":"watch-mass-rally-in-niger-in-support-of-the-recent-coup-with-some-people-carrying-russian-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The demonstrators converged at Independence Square in the heart of the city, following a call by a coalition of civil society associations on a day marking the country's 1960 independence from France. \n\nThe coup has triggered alarm bells in Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now threatens the borders of fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea. \n\nFrance has some 1,500 troops in Niger in a bid to fight against jihadism in the Sahel. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The demonstrators converged at Independence Square in the heart of the city, following a call by a coalition of civil society associations on a day marking the country's 1960 independence from France.<\/p>\n<p>The coup has triggered alarm bells in Western countries struggling to contain a jihadist insurgency that flared in northern Mali in 2012, advanced into Niger and Burkina Faso three years later and now threatens the borders of fragile states on the Gulf of Guinea.<\/p>\n<p>France has some 1,500 troops in Niger in a bid to fight against jihadism in the Sahel.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691057805,"publishedAt":1691061548,"updatedAt":1691062027,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/03\/watch-mass-rally-in-niger-in-support-of-the-recent-coup-with-some-people-carrying-russian-","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/89\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_190c5a99-0a81-56e2-b02c-60300a682105-7798918.jpg","altText":"A Russian flag being brandished at the the rally in Niamey.","caption":"A Russian flag being brandished at the the rally in Niamey.","captionCredit":"AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":960,"height":540}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28942,"slug":"coup-in-niger","urlSafeValue":"coup-in-niger","title":"Coup in Niger","titleRaw":"Coup in 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Voodoo wrestling in DRC and mythological creatures parade in El Salvador","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"WATCH: Voodoo wrestlers in DRC summon spirits during the fight","titleListing2":"A huge draw in impoverished neighbourhoods of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, voodoo wrestling features men and women of all sizes, who use various degrees of magic in the ring. ","leadin":"A huge draw in impoverished neighbourhoods of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, voodoo wrestling features men and women of all sizes, who use various degrees of magic in the ring. ","summary":"A huge draw in impoverished neighbourhoods of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, voodoo wrestling features men and women of all sizes, who use various degrees of magic in the ring. ","url":"watch-voodoo-wrestling-in-drc-and-mythological-creatures-parade-in-el-salvador","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Catch-fetiche, also known as \u00a0voodoo wrestling, is an extravagant Congolese sport where participants fight each other and use magic to try to win the match.\u00a0 \n\nIt is judged based on three criteria: technique, courage and magic.\u00a0 \n\nTo get ready, fighters prepare incantations to use in the ring or commune with their 'spectres' or 'fetishes', animals or objects that they believe to be imbued with magical powers or inhabited by a spirit.\u00a0 \n\nA huge draw in impoverished neighbourhoods of the Democratic Republic of Congo's sprawling capital Kinshasa, voodoo wrestling features men and women of all sizes, who use various degrees of magic in the ring.\u00a0 \n\nMeanwhile, elves, queens and mythological beings paraded through the streets of El Salvador on Tuesday, in annual celebrations for the Central American country's patron saint and namesake. \n\nThe Salvador del Mundo (Savior of the World) festivities honour both Christian and local mythological traditions.\u00a0 \n\nThousands gathered for a procession in the capital San Salvador, accompanied by both parade floats and bands. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Catch-fetiche, also known as\u00a0voodoo wrestling, is an extravagant Congolese sport where participants fight each other and use magic to try to win the match.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It is judged based on three criteria: technique, courage and magic.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To get ready, fighters prepare incantations to use in the ring or commune with their 'spectres' or 'fetishes', animals or objects that they believe to be imbued with magical powers or inhabited by a spirit.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A huge draw in impoverished neighbourhoods of the Democratic Republic of Congo's sprawling capital Kinshasa, voodoo wrestling features men and women of all sizes, who use various degrees of magic in the ring.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, elves, queens and mythological beings paraded through the streets of El Salvador on Tuesday, in annual celebrations for the Central American country's patron saint and namesake.<\/p>\n<p>The Salvador del Mundo (Savior of the World) festivities honour both Christian and local mythological traditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Thousands gathered for a procession in the capital San Salvador, accompanied by both parade floats and bands.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690964351,"publishedAt":1690980465,"updatedAt":1690980847,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/02\/watch-voodoo-wrestling-in-drc-and-mythological-creatures-parade-in-el-salvador","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/58\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cab5c9bf-1de7-5cde-94f6-08f93d0ee805-7795860.jpg","altText":"A voodoo wrestler whispers incantations over his opponent during a fight in a schoolyard in Selemenbao district in Kinshasa, on July 29, 2023.","caption":"A voodoo wrestler whispers incantations over his opponent during a fight in a schoolyard in Selemenbao district in Kinshasa, on July 29, 2023.","captionCredit":"ALEXIS HUGUET\/AFP or licensors","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":4500,"height":3000}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":14488,"slug":"voodoo","urlSafeValue":"voodoo","title":"voodoo","titleRaw":"voodoo"},{"id":12571,"slug":"wrestling","urlSafeValue":"wrestling","title":"Wrestling","titleRaw":"Wrestling"},{"id":12127,"slug":"democratic-republic-of-congo","urlSafeValue":"democratic-republic-of-congo","title":"Democratic Republic of Congo","titleRaw":"Democratic Republic of 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the region. Euronews asks Jean-Herv\u00e9 Jezequel from the International Crisis Group what regime change could mean for the West.","leadin":"Niger was the leading supplier of uranium to Europe and a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist groups in the region. Euronews asks Jean-Herv\u00e9 Jezequel from the International Crisis Group what regime change could mean for the West.","summary":"Niger was the leading supplier of uranium to Europe and a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist groups in the region. Euronews asks Jean-Herv\u00e9 Jezequel from the International Crisis Group what regime change could mean for the West.","url":"what-could-the-military-coup-in-niger-mean-for-europe-and-the-west","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A French military transport plane carrying Europeans from Niger arrived in Paris Wednesday, in the first such evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted the country\u2019s democratically elected president nearly a week ago and shut its borders. \n\nFrance, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European nationals, concerned that they risked becoming trapped by the coup that won backing Tuesday from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers. \n\nAbout 600 French nationals want to leave, along with 400 people of other nationalities from Belgians to Danes, French officials said. The first flight carried mostly French nationals, and officials hope to finish the evacuation flights by Wednesday. \n\nWith Niger's air space closed, France coordinated the evacuations with the regime that ousted the nation's leader, but without withdrawing its support for democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, diplomatic officials said. \n\nThe coup has raised fears that the West African nation, a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist groups in the region, could pivot towards Russia. \n\nThe ousting of democratically-elected president Mohammed Bazoum has been widely condemned by the European Union, the United States, and from within Africa. \n\nUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the power grab, describing the move as \"deplorable\". \n\nJean-Herv\u00e9 Jezequel, Director for the Sahel Project at the International Crisis Group\u00a0told Euronews that while Niger is central to Western security efforts in the region, it is too early to say if it might turn to Russia or the Wagner Group. \n\n\"We know that Wagner is interested in developing its capacity in West Africa. We anticipate also that within the new military regime - if they were to stay in power - they will look for different allies and might be tempted to establish relations with Russia.\u00a0 \n\n\"It's a possibility that there is a change in alliance and that Russia might develop its capacity for Wagner in the region. But right now it's a sort of red flag that is very convenient to use in order to be in a stronger position when you negotiate,\" he said.\u00a0 \n\nThere are also concerns about the coup's potential impact on the import of uranium to power Europe's nuclear plants. \n\nAs the world's seventh largest producer of the chemical element, it supplies the EU with almost 25 per cent of its reserves. The French state-owned nuclear energy company Orana says nuclear power plants in France source less than 10% of their uranium from the African country. \n\nJezequel says the impact is not critical. \n\n\"France used to be much more dependent on Nigerian uranium in the past than it is today,\" he explained.\u00a0 \n\n\"There has been a diversification of access to uranium in the world, including Canada, and Khazakstan. So it's a different market than it was 20 or 30 years ago. It's still an important interest, but it's not central, vital to France as it used to be.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>A French military transport plane carrying Europeans from Niger arrived in Paris Wednesday, in the first such evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted the country\u2019s democratically elected president nearly a week ago and shut its borders.<\/p>\n<p>France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European nationals, concerned that they risked becoming trapped by the coup that won backing Tuesday from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers.<\/p>\n<p>About 600 French nationals want to leave, along with 400 people of other nationalities from Belgians to Danes, French officials said. The first flight carried mostly French nationals, and officials hope to finish the evacuation flights by Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>With Niger's air space closed, France coordinated the evacuations with the regime that ousted the nation's leader, but without withdrawing its support for democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, diplomatic officials said.<\/p>\n<p>The coup has raised fears that the West African nation, a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist groups in the region, could pivot towards Russia.<\/p>\n<p>The ousting of democratically-elected president Mohammed Bazoum has been widely condemned by the European Union, the United States, and from within Africa.<\/p>\n<p>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the power grab, describing the move as \"deplorable\".<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1684554296648499202\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Jean-Herv\u00e9 Jezequel, Director for the Sahel Project at the International Crisis Group\u00a0told Euronews that while Niger is central to Western security efforts in the region, it is too early to say if it might turn to Russia or the Wagner Group.<\/p>\n<p>\"We know that Wagner is interested in developing its capacity in West Africa. We anticipate also that within the new military regime - if they were to stay in power - they will look for different allies and might be tempted to establish relations with Russia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"It's a possibility that there is a change in alliance and that Russia might develop its capacity for Wagner in the region. But right now it's a sort of red flag that is very convenient to use in order to be in a stronger position when you negotiate,\" he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There are also concerns about the coup's potential impact on the import of uranium to power Europe's nuclear plants.<\/p>\n<p>As the world's seventh largest producer of the chemical element, it supplies the EU with almost 25 per cent of its reserves. The French state-owned nuclear energy company Orana says nuclear power plants in France source less than 10% of their uranium from the African country.<\/p>\n<p>Jezequel says the impact is not critical.<\/p>\n<p>\"France used to be much more dependent on Nigerian uranium in the past than it is today,\" he explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"There has been a diversification of access to uranium in the world, including Canada, and Khazakstan. So it's a different market than it was 20 or 30 years ago. It's still an important interest, but it's not central, vital to France as it used to be.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690791437,"publishedAt":1690898707,"updatedAt":1690957269,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/01\/what-could-the-military-coup-in-niger-mean-for-europe-and-the-west","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/04\/56\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4e226423-5975-5a28-b83c-dac8f95a2ba4-7790456.jpg","altText":"Nigeriens participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, July 30, 2023","caption":"Nigeriens participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, July 30, 2023","captionCredit":"Sam Mednick\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":4240,"height":2832},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/04\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cbdd6152-f7f1-5847-8572-2e7754fff895-7790462.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"-\/AFP or licensors","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5568,"height":3712}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"crook","title":"Glynis Crook","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7863,"slug":"coup","urlSafeValue":"coup","title":"Coup","titleRaw":"Coup"},{"id":9103,"slug":"raw-material","urlSafeValue":"raw-material","title":"Raw material","titleRaw":"Raw material"},{"id":213,"slug":"niger","urlSafeValue":"niger","title":"Niger","titleRaw":"Niger"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":179000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":22364024,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/02\/en\/230802_NWSU_52628307_52628337_112000_070552_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":179000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":33106296,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/02\/en\/230802_NWSU_52628307_52628337_112000_070552_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mxcsj","youtubeId":"SCzNB1ltpzU"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Thomas Bolton","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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countries to evacuate citizens from Niger as coup leaders get support from West African juntas","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Niger: France plans evacuation as coup leaders gather support","titleListing2":"EU countries to evacuate from Niger as West African juntas back coup","leadin":"France, Italy and Spain have announced plans to evacuate their citizens from Niger, days after a junta seized power in the country.","summary":"France, Italy and Spain have announced plans to evacuate their citizens from Niger, days after a junta seized power in the country.","url":"as-ecowas-threatens-intervention-in-niger-neighbouring-juntas-vow-mutual-defence","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"This comes as two other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers, Mali and Burkina Faso, warned that any military intervention against the junta would be considered a \"declaration of war\". \n\nThe French Foreign Ministry in Paris cited recent violence that targeted the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for the decision. \n\nThe closure of Niger's airspace also \u201cleaves our compatriots unable to leave the country by their own means,\u201d the ministry said. \n\nThe evacuation was starting Tuesday for French and European citizens who wish to leave, it said in a statement.\u00a0The German Foreign Ministry has urged German citizens in Niger to board the evacuation planes offered by the French authorities. \n\nItalian foreign minister Antonio Tajani announced\u00a0on Twitter that Italy would also arrange flights to evacuate its nationals from Niger's capital Niamey. \n\n\"The Italian government has decided to offer Italian nationals present in Niamey the possibility of leaving the city on a special flight to Italy. The Italian Embassy in Niamey will remain open and operational, also to contribute to the mediation efforts a course,\" Tajani said. \n\nLater on Tuesday, the Spanish foreign ministry confirmed it would evacuate 70 of its citizens from Niger by planes, given the absence of commercial flights. The evacuations will begin Tuesday and could be extended to other EU nationals. \n\nThe three EU countries' decisions to evacuate come amid a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Niger\u2019s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. \n\nA European Commission spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that EU personnel in Niger\u2019s capital Niamey have been offered support to leave the city voluntarily, but that no decision on formally evacuating EU staff has yet been taken. \n\n\"The safety of EU citizens in Niger is our top priority,\" the spokesperson said. \n\nThe West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it would use force if the coup leaders don\u2019t reinstate Bazoum within one week. Bazoum's government was one of the West\u2019s last democratic partners against West African extremists. \n\nThe European Commission confirmed that it had not yet received a request from ECOWAS to support travel and economic sanctions, but that it will analyse any request carefully,\u00a0\"with the purpose of determining of how best to respect the political commitments we have made.\" \n\nIn a joint statement, the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso said that \"any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.\u201d \n\nCol. Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali's state minister for territorial administration and decentralization, read the statement on Malian state TV Monday evening. The two countries also denounced the ECOWAS economic sanctions as \u201cillegal, illegitimate and inhumane\u201d and refused to apply them. \n\nECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people. \n\nMali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has sanctioned both countries and suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force. \n\nAlso on Sunday, Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, issued a statement in support of Niger's junta and urged ECOWAS to \u201ccome to its senses.\"Two West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers said Monday that military intervention in Niger would be considered a \u201cdeclaration of war\u201d against them, as the junta attempts to consolidate power after a coup last week. \n\nIn anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags along with signs reading \u201cDown with France\u201d and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away. \n\nThere has been no clear explanation of the Russian symbols, but the country seems to have become a symbol of anti-Western feelings for demonstrators. \n\nProtesters also burned down a door and smashed windows at the French Embassy before the Nigerien army dispersed them. \n\nNiger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, say analysts, both of which saw protestors waving Russian flags after their respective coups. After the second coup in Burkina Faso in September, protestors also attacked the French Embassy in the capital, Ouagadougou, and damaged and ransacked the Institut Francais, France's international cultural promotion organization. \n\nIf ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say. \n\nWhile unlikely, \u201cthe consequences on civilians of such an approach, if putschists chose confrontation, would be catastrophic,\u201d said Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank. \n\nLyammouri does not see a \u201cmilitary intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger,\u201d he said. \n\nBlinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to \u201cdefend constitutional order in Niger\u201d after the sanctions announcement and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family. \n\nAlso Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane banned the use of social media to put out messages he describe as harmful to state security. He also claimed without evidence that Bazoum\u2019s government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum. \n\nObservers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad\u2019s President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta. \n\nWorking with the West against extremism \n\nBoth the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The country was seen as the last working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment had opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner. \n\nAfter neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso ousted the French military and began working with Wagner mercenaries, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce $150 million in direct assistance, calling the country \u201ca model of democracy.\u201d \n\nThe US will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is \u201cvery much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country,\u201d said department spokesman Matt Miller. \u201cUS assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger.\u201d \n\nFrance said Monday that President Emmanuel Macron is closely monitoring the situation in Niger and has discussed the crisis with regional leaders and European and international partners. \n\nThe sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday. \n\n\u201cWhen people say there\u2019s an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, it\u2019s extremely difficult for people ... Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community,\u201d he said. \n\nIn the capital of Niger, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with slats of wood, sheets and plastic tarps because they can\u2019t pay rent. They scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children. \n\nECOWAS mixed record \n\nSince the 1990s, the 15-nation ECOWAS has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success. \n\nFour nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020. \n\nIn the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa and one that left many wary of intervening in internal conflicts. In 2017, ECOWAS intervened in Gambia to prevent the new president\u2019s predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis of peace and security issues. The intervention was largely seen as accomplishing its mission. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>This comes as two other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers, Mali and Burkina Faso, warned that any military intervention against the junta would be considered a \"declaration of war\".<\/p>\n<p>The French Foreign Ministry in Paris cited recent violence that targeted the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for the decision.<\/p>\n<p>The closure of Niger's airspace also \u201cleaves our compatriots unable to leave the country by their own means,\u201d the ministry said.<\/p>\n<p>The evacuation was starting Tuesday for French and European citizens who wish to leave, it said in a statement.\u00a0The German Foreign Ministry has urged German citizens in Niger to board the evacuation planes offered by the French authorities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1686283486154350593\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani announced\u00a0on Twitter that Italy would also arrange flights to evacuate its nationals from Niger's capital Niamey.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1686291410964680705\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"The Italian government has decided to offer Italian nationals present in Niamey the possibility of leaving the city on a special flight to Italy. The Italian Embassy in Niamey will remain open and operational, also to contribute to the mediation efforts a course,\" Tajani said.<\/p>\n<p>Later on Tuesday, the Spanish foreign ministry confirmed it would evacuate 70 of its citizens from Niger by planes, given the absence of commercial flights. The evacuations will begin Tuesday and could be extended to other EU nationals.<\/p>\n<p>The three EU countries' decisions to evacuate come amid a deepening crisis sparked by the coup last week against Niger\u2019s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.<\/p>\n<p>A European Commission spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that EU personnel in Niger\u2019s capital Niamey have been offered support to leave the city voluntarily, but that no decision on formally evacuating EU staff has yet been taken.<\/p>\n<p>\"The safety of EU citizens in Niger is our top priority,\" the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<p>The West African regional body known as ECOWAS announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday and said it would use force if the coup leaders don\u2019t reinstate Bazoum within one week. Bazoum's government was one of the West\u2019s last democratic partners against West African extremists.<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission confirmed that it had not yet received a request from ECOWAS to support travel and economic sanctions, but that it will analyse any request carefully,\u00a0\"with the purpose of determining of how best to respect the political commitments we have made.\"<\/p>\n<p>In a joint statement, the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso said that \"any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali's state minister for territorial administration and decentralization, read the statement on Malian state TV Monday evening. The two countries also denounced the ECOWAS economic sanctions as \u201cillegal, illegitimate and inhumane\u201d and refused to apply them.<\/p>\n<p>ECOWAS suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid, and sanctions could further impoverish its more than 25 million people.<\/p>\n<p>Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. ECOWAS has sanctioned both countries and suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened to use force.<\/p>\n<p>Also on Sunday, Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, issued a statement in support of Niger's junta and urged ECOWAS to \u201ccome to its senses.\"Two West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers said Monday that military intervention in Niger would be considered a \u201cdeclaration of war\u201d against them, as the junta attempts to consolidate power after a coup last week.<\/p>\n<p>In anticipation of the ECOWAS decision Sunday, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets in Niamey, denouncing France, waving Russian flags along with signs reading \u201cDown with France\u201d and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and telling the international community to stay away.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.66796875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//24//00//808x539_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/384x257_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/640x428_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/750x501_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/828x553_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/1080x721_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/1200x802_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/1920x1283_cmsv2_f1556fec-dd7d-5265-814c-ff35837981a1-7792400.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Nigeriens holding a Russian flag participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, July 30, 2023.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There has been no clear explanation of the Russian symbols, but the country seems to have become a symbol of anti-Western feelings for demonstrators.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters also burned down a door and smashed windows at the French Embassy before the Nigerien army dispersed them.<\/p>\n<p>Niger could be following in the same footsteps as Mali and Burkina Faso, say analysts, both of which saw protestors waving Russian flags after their respective coups. After the second coup in Burkina Faso in September, protestors also attacked the French Embassy in the capital, Ouagadougou, and damaged and ransacked the Institut Francais, France's international cultural promotion organization.<\/p>\n<p>If ECOWAS uses force, it could also trigger violence between civilians supporting the coup and those against it, Niger analysts say.<\/p>\n<p>While unlikely, \u201cthe consequences on civilians of such an approach, if putschists chose confrontation, would be catastrophic,\u201d said Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank.<\/p>\n<p>Lyammouri does not see a \u201cmilitary intervention happening because of the violence that could trigger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.66796875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//91//28//808x539_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/91\/28\/384x257_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/91\/28\/640x428_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/91\/28\/750x501_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/91\/28\/828x553_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/91\/28\/1080x721_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/91\/28\/1200x802_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/91\/28\/1920x1283_cmsv2_bc1a12a7-b279-5356-bc83-7f99c94807c6-7789128.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Nigeriens participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, pictured, in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, July 30, 2023.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Blinken on Sunday commended the resolve of the ECOWAS leadership to \u201cdefend constitutional order in Niger\u201d after the sanctions announcement and joined the bloc in calling for the immediate release of Bazoum and his family.<\/p>\n<p>Also Sunday, junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane banned the use of social media to put out messages he describe as harmful to state security. He also claimed without evidence that Bazoum\u2019s government had authorized the French to carry out strikes to free Bazoum.<\/p>\n<p>Observers believe Bazoum is being held at his house in the capital, Niamey. The first photos of him since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad\u2019s President Mahamat Deby, who had flown in to mediate between the government and the junta.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.7490234375\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//24//00//808x603_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg/" alt=\"AFP PHOTO / FACEBOOK\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/384x288_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/640x479_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/750x562_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/828x620_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/1080x809_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/1200x899_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/1920x1438_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The first photos of ousted President Bazoum since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, July 30, 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AFP PHOTO / FACEBOOK<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3>Working with the West against extremism<\/h3><p>Both the United States and France have sent troops and hundreds of millions of dollars of military and humanitarian aid in recent years to Niger, which was a French colony until 1960. The country was seen as the last working with the West against extremism in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment had opened the way for the Russian private military group Wagner.<\/p>\n<p>After neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso ousted the French military and began working with Wagner mercenaries, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March to strengthen ties and announce $150 million in direct assistance, calling the country \u201ca model of democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The US will consider cutting aid if the coup is successful, the State Department said Monday. Aid is \u201cvery much in the balance depending on the outcome of the actions in the country,\u201d said department spokesman Matt Miller. \u201cUS assistance hinges on continued democratic governance in Niger.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1685787484309917696\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>France said Monday that President Emmanuel Macron is closely monitoring the situation in Niger and has discussed the crisis with regional leaders and European and international partners.<\/p>\n<p>The sanctions could be disastrous and Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French media outlet Radio France Internationale on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen people say there\u2019s an embargo, land borders are closed, air borders are closed, it\u2019s extremely difficult for people ... Niger is a country that relies heavily on the international community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>In the capital of Niger, many people live in makeshift shelters tied together with slats of wood, sheets and plastic tarps because they can\u2019t pay rent. They scramble daily to make enough money to feed their children.<\/p>\n<h3>ECOWAS mixed record<\/h3><p>Since the 1990s, the 15-nation ECOWAS has tried to protect democracies against the threat of coups, with mixed success.<\/p>\n<p>Four nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020.<\/p>\n<p>In the 1990s, ECOWAS intervened in Liberia during its civil war, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa and one that left many wary of intervening in internal conflicts. In 2017, ECOWAS intervened in Gambia to prevent the new president\u2019s predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, from disrupting the handover of power. Around 7,000 troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal entered the country, according to the Global Observatory, which provides analysis of peace and security issues. The intervention was largely seen as accomplishing its mission.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690839020,"publishedAt":1690876273,"updatedAt":1690901476,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2023\/08\/01\/as-ecowas-threatens-intervention-in-niger-neighbouring-juntas-vow-mutual-defence","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/09\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e5b254df-1b3f-58e9-833c-47a2fccd0fd4-7790998.jpg","altText":"Nigeriens participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, July 30, 2023.","caption":"Nigeriens participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. 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","captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":684},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/24\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c9f376ce-3d77-500a-abf5-97b42e21d6d0-7792400.jpg","altText":"The first photos of ousted President Bazoum since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, July 30, 2023","caption":"The first photos of ousted President Bazoum since the coup appeared Sunday evening, sitting on a couch smiling beside Chad President Mahamat Deby, July 30, 2023","captionCredit":" AFP PHOTO \/ FACEBOOK 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Protesters in Niger denounce France, wave the Russian flag","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Watch: Protesters in Niger denounce France, wave the Russian flag","titleListing2":"Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched through the streets of Niamey, on Sunday waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.","leadin":"Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched through the streets of Niamey, on Sunday waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.","summary":"Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched through the streets of Niamey, on Sunday waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.","url":"watch-protesters-in-niger-denounce-france-wave-the-russian-flag","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Days after mutinous soldiers ousted Niger\u2019s democratically elected president, uncertainty is mounting about the country\u2019s future and some are calling out the junta\u2019s reasons for seizing control. \n\nThe mutineers said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger\u2019s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France, because he wasn\u2019t able to secure the nation from growing jihadi violence.\u00a0 \n\nBut some analysts and Nigeriens say that\u2019s just a pretext for a takeover that is more about internal power struggles than securing the nation. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Days after mutinous soldiers ousted Niger\u2019s democratically elected president, uncertainty is mounting about the country\u2019s future and some are calling out the junta\u2019s reasons for seizing control.<\/p>\n<p>The mutineers said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger\u2019s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France, because he wasn\u2019t able to secure the nation from growing jihadi violence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But some analysts and Nigeriens say that\u2019s just a pretext for a takeover that is more about internal power struggles than securing the nation.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690725842,"publishedAt":1690795341,"updatedAt":1690796530,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/31\/watch-protesters-in-niger-denounce-france-wave-the-russian-flag","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/92\/78\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f66be062-b698-53c9-b67a-53cccbafda4d-7789278.jpg","altText":"Protesters in Niger.","caption":"Protesters in 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