LAGOS AUGUST 23RD (NEWSRANGERS)-A cargo plane carrying food, motorbikes and cash has crashed shortly after takeoff from the airport in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. Witnesses reported seeing several bodies. The Antonov An-26 aircraft was travelling to the city of Aweil in the northwest of the country. Videos and photos circulating on social media…
LAGOS AUGUST 23RD (NEWSRANGERS)-Army colonel Assimi Goita on Wednesday introduced himself as Mali’s new military strongman a day after a coup that was condemned by the international community but won support from the country’s opposition. The African Union, European Union, the United States and the UN Security Council have all demanded the junta free President…
LAGOS AUGUST 23RD (NEWSRANGERS)-A West African delegation visiting Mali to push for a speedy return to civilian rule following a coup said it was “very hopeful” on Saturday after meeting with the country’s military junta and the president it ousted. The head of the delegation from the regional ECOWAS bloc, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan,…
LAGOS AUGUST 22ND (NEWSRANGERS)-Mediators from West Africa’s regional bloc are due in Mali on Saturday for talks aimed at reversing a coup that has been condemned abroad, but celebrated by many in a country battling an Islamist insurgency and simmering political unrest. Leaders from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have taken…
LAGOS AUGUST 21ST (NEWSRANGERS)-On Friday, August 21, the United Nations(UN) said it had gained access to Mali’s ousted president while rebel troops said they had released two other detained leaders, in developments that followed mounting international pressure on the new junta. “Last night, a team from MINUSMA Human Rights went to Kati in the framework…
LAGOS AUGUST 21ST (NEWSRANGERS)-Madagascar has sacked its Minister of Health, Ahmad Ahmad as coronavirus spreads in the country. This is coming a month after Ahmad had a problem with the President for seeking outside help for coronavirus. Madagascar saw COVID-19 cases rise in July despite an official campaign to promote a controversial herbal drink touted…
LAGOS AUGUST 21ST (NEWSRANGERS)-Crowds rejoiced after a group of colonels seized power in Mali, a vast country stretching into the Sahara, where troops – including French soldiers and UN peacekeepers – are fighting jihadist groups, but not everyone is happy, writes West Africa analyst Paul Melly. Negotiations are rumoured to be under way for the…
LAGOS AUGUST 20TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Mali membership after the arrest of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister, Boubou Cisse. This development is coming amid jubilation in Mali after soldiers detained the president and the Prime Minister. In a statement on Tuesday, ECOWAS also ordered its members…