Foreign News
ECOWAS Convenes Meeting in Ghana on Withdrawal of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers has convened a meeting in Accra, Ghana, to deliberate on the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc.
The Chairman of the Council, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb.
Yusuf Tuggar, made this known in a statement issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy.“The Extraordinary Session follows directive from the Authority of Heads of State and Government during its 66th Ordinary Session, mandating the Council to adopt modalities and a contingency plan for the disengagement of the three Sahelian nations.
“The ECOWAS Commission is expected to present memoranda addressing the withdrawal process, suspension of programmes in the affected countries, and challenges related to the free movement of people, goods and services.
“Additionally, the Council will examine the potential relocation of ECOWAS institutions and agencies currently based in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger with an eye toward mitigating any disruptions caused by their exit,” Tuggar said.
He said the session marked a difficult moment in ECOWAS’s history, adding it was never the community’s wish to deliberate on the withdrawal of member states.
“In recognising the sovereignty of these nations under their current military governments, we must now adapt and chat a forward-looking path”.
He urged the ministers to embrace institutional renewal and recommitment to regional integration, emphasising ECOWAS remain the most integrated regional bloc in Africa, underpinned by harmonised policies and shared vision for political, economic and security cooperation.
“As we look ahead, our responsibility is to maintain the ECOWAS legacy and pass it on stronger to the next generation. Our unity has been tested before and we emerged stronger. We will do so again,” he stated.
The chairman of the council stressed the need for the ministers to engage in constructive deliberations and ensure the effective implementation of the countries withdrawal, reaffirming ECOWAS remain the premier platform for tackling West Africa’s collective challenges.
“Membership, as the saying goes, has its privileges,” he added.
He expressed appreciation of member states to the government and people of Ghana for their hospitality in hosting the critical session on sideline of the inauguration of “ECOWAS@50” celebrations.
The minister described the commemorative activities as timely reflection of the bloc’s achievements and aspirations, saying the gathering demonstrated unwavering commitment to advance the sub-regional community and fulfill ECOWAS’s core purpose.
NAN reports that on Jan. 29,Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formally withdrew from the regional bloc.
The military-led governments in the three West African nations decided to withdraw from the bloc, and formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September 2023.
With the withdrawal of the three states, ECOWAS now has 12 members. (NAN)
China on Friday congratulated the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and expressed hope for a “steady” improvement in relations with the Vatican.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian stated this while speaking with reporters in the Chinese capital.
According to Lin, he hopes that under the new Pope’s leadership, the Vatican will continue dialogue with China in a constructive spirit, deepen communication on international issues of mutual concern.
He also expressed hope that they would continue to work together to steadily advance China-Vatican relations, while contributing to global peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
The Vatican on Tuesday announced that American Cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected as the new Pope, taking the name Leo XIV.
He is the first American-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.
In 2024, Beijing had extended a provisional agreement with the Holy See by four years regarding the appointment of bishops.
The agreement which allows both sides to have a role in selecting bishops for China’s Catholic community, which numbers around 12 million in the world’s second most populous countr. (AA/NAN)
The Vatican on Friday announced that Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration will take place on May 18 with a mass in St. Peter’s Square, following his election to succeed Pope Francis.
The ceremony is to take place at 10a.m (0800 GMT) May 18 at the Vatican.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the first U.
S. pontiff on Thursday after white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel following four rounds of voting in the papal conclave.The new pope is set to keep Francis’ top employees in the Vatican in place for the time being, the Holy See said.
The first of his weekly general audiences is planned for May 21. (dpa/NAN)
The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, has ignited pride and celebration at St. Rita of Cascia High School, where the new pope once served as a teacher.
The 69-year-old Augustinian cardinal’s historic rise as the first American pope was met with elation across his former school community.
Students and faculty remembered him not just as a religious leader but as a humble and compassionate mentor.
Leo was born in Chicago and graduated with a degree in mathematics from the University of Villanova in Pennsylvania in 1977.
He also studied religion at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.
In 1982, he received a doctorate in church law from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome before being sent to serve in a Catholic mission in Peru.
In 2023, he became prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key Catholic administrative body, based in Rome
He succeeds Pope Francis who died on April 21. The late pontiff made Prevost a cardinal in September 2023.(AA/NAN)(www.nanne
The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, has ignited pride and celebration at St. Rita of Cascia High School, where the new pope once served as a teacher.
The 69-year-old Augustinian cardinal’s historic rise as the first American pope was met with elation across his former school community.
Students and faculty remembered him not just as a religious leader but as a humble and compassionate mentor.
Leo was born in Chicago and graduated with a degree in mathematics from the University of Villanova in Pennsylvania in 1977.
He also studied religion at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.
In 1982, he received a doctorate in church law from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome before being sent to serve in a Catholic mission in Peru.
In 2023, he became prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key Catholic administrative body, based in Rome
He succeeds Pope Francis who died on April 21. The late pontiff made Prevost a cardinal in September 2023.(AA/NAN)
Israel Ready for Handover of US-Israeli Hostage
Share Israel is preparing for the release of the U.S.-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, held by the Palestinian Hamas militant group in...
UN Women, Stakeholders Urge Gov. Fintiri To Assent Disability Inclusion Bill
ShareThe United Nations (UN) Women and other stakeholders on Monday, called on Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri to assent to the bill...
APC Group Lauds Tinubu for Appointments of Benue Indigenes
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The All Progressive Congress (APC), Tiv Community, Abuja chapter has commended President Bola Tinubu for the...
Oil and Gas Stakeholders Hail Umar Ajiya’s NNPC Legacies
ShareBy Ibrahim Abdullahi In a country often plagued by leadership inertia and institutional opacity, Umar Ajiya Isa stands tall as...
CAN Congratulates Roman Catholic Church on Election of Pope Leo XIV
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has congratulated the Roman Catholic Church on the election of...
Saraki Heads 7-member PDP Reconciliation Committee
ShareThe Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) and former governors have named former Senate President Bukola Saraki as the head...
President Tinubu Bags Lifetime African Achievement Award
SharePresident Bola Tinubu has bagged the Lifetime African Achievement award from the Millennium Excellence Foundation based in Ghana.Tinubu while receiving...
Cocoa Contractors Seek Pull Out of Soldiers from Cocoa Estate in Cross River
ShareFrom Ene Asuquo, Calabar Cocoa allottees in Cross River State’s Abonita Government Estate have demanded immediate withdrawal of soldiers allegedly...
Bayelsa Declares Emergency in Housing Sector
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed its determination to aggressively pursue its housing scheme programme by...
Cult Killings: Police Arrest 17 over Murder of NDU Graduates
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa No fewer than 17 suspected cultists were during the weekend arrested along the Tombia-Amassoma road over...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish