#ECOWAS

[kouhai-deactivated]

Black People what’s y’all perception/opinion on Africa making moves to remove colonizers👀 & self-serving political figures from positions of power? I think I fw the coup movements (if I understand their call to action correctly). It’s all “Africa deserves better & can nourish itself” basically, right? Africa definitely needs & deserves healing w/o the infiltration or faux-empathy from white nations. I genuinely believe Africans can do it themselves. The military leader of Burkina Faso seem like he ain’t playing no mf games, & I wanna say I support his efforts to cleanse the continent of stagnance and impurities — but I feel like his willingness to invest trust in Russia might not be the way to go. Mainly cus white ppl from France who were willing to pillage from Africa under the guise that they were helping the continent cannot be worlds apart from white ppl from Russia who could very well have the same agenda — but that’s my opinion.

I just have a healthy skepticism of white ppl creating opportunities to recycle hatred for Black People at large while making it look like aid/support. What y’all think?

[highlights-of-the-lowlife]

so now that priggy and co had their impromptu sky diving lessons, wagner PMC is being folded into a kremlin agency. but guess what the new name is: the afrika korps

you know, just like the nazis. given the wagnerites were already calling themselves musicians for being named after hitler's favourite composer who knows what they are gonna call themselves now.

this all means bad news for the sahel. russia is determined to use the new rounds of instability to plunder countries for all the mineral wealth possible and frankly are likely the cause of a lot of the unrest. anyone saying usa and europe out of africa without also saying russia and china too are selling north africa down the river

[msaprilsky]

Ivory Coast Exposed for Backing the Assassination Attempt on Traoré!

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Premium Times

Published: Apr 11, 2025

The court declared Section 382(b) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law (2000), which imposes the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad, as "excessive and disproportionate" in a democratic society.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ruled that the blasphemy laws in Nigeria violate freedom of expression protections guaranteed under regional and international human rights instruments.

A press release from the court on Friday said the court, in a landmark judgement delivered on 9 April (Wednesday), ruled that the existence of such laws is against Nigeria’s international human rights commitments.

Ruling on a case filed by a civil society organisation, the Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, specifically challenging Kano State’s version of the law, the court declared that section 210 of the state’s Penal Code and section 382(b) of its Sharia Penal Code Law (2000) criminalising blasphemy are incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations to protect freedom of expression.

The court’s three-member bench led by Rcardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves struck down the two legal provisions in the Kano State laws, and ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to repeal or amend the identified legal provisions and similar laws in Nigeria to align with Article 9(2) of the African Charter.

The Nigeria’s federal government, sued as the sole defendant in the suit, does not have a role in the lawmaking process in states under Nigeria’s federal system, but can only push for necessary legal reforms at that level of government through political solutions.

The two other members of the panel of judges are Sengu Mohamed Koroma (member) and Dupe Atoki, the judge rapporteur, who delivered the court’s unanimous decision.

Blasphemy laws in Nigeria

The judgement highlights concerns over the violation of human rights in blasphemy cases in Nigeria, referencing international conventions and the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and expression.

Blasphemy laws are deeply entrenched religious issues with social and political contexts in many of the states of the conservative northern Nigeria.

The laws are in force in at least 12 of the 19 northern states.

In Kano, like other states, the law criminalises words or expression, written or verbal, by means of gesture, which show or demonstrate any form of contempt or abuse against the Holy Qur’an or any Prophet shall.

Critics have said the laws pose a significant risk to religious freedom for Nigerians and those who express unpopular or dissenting beliefs, worldviews, or religious interpretations in the states where the laws are in place.

On many occasions, some people have been mobbed to death under vigilante justice for making blasphemous comments.

In 2022, Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, was roasted alive by her fellow students on campus for making comments purported to be blasphemous in a class WhatsApp platform.

Others have been sentenced to death or are facing trials on blasphemy charges.

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a singer in his 20s, was sentenced to death by hanging by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano State in August 2020 for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad in a song.

But on appeal instituted by the convict, the Kano State High Court in January 2021 quashed his conviction and sentence because his trial at the Sharia court was characterised by procedural irregularities. On that basis, the court ordered his retrial.

Similarly, in August 2022, the Court of Appeal in Kano upheld the decision of the Kano State High Court by quashing Mr Sharif-Aminu’s conviction and ordering his retrial.

The case is currently pending before Nigeria’s Supreme Court, with Mr Sharif-Aminu still in detention under reportedly deteriorating health conditions.

Proponents of the blasphemy laws have argued that they prevent actions or speech that could incite religious tensions or violence and safeguard the dignity and sanctity of religious beliefs, ensuring that followers of various faiths feel respected and protected, thereby maintaining peace in a multi-religious society like Nigeria.

Although blasphemy laws are not enforced nationwide but only in specific states that have enacted them, Nigerian courts have on different occasions affirmed that these laws are consistent with the Nigerian constitution.

The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court have validated the conviction of some blasphemy convicts on the legal basis that making of law for the maintenance of law and order is the joint responsibility of both the National and the State Houses of Assembly.

Recently, the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction of Abdulazeed Dauda by the Shariah Court, Rijiyar Lemo, Kano, for use of blasphemous words against Prophet Muhammad and inciting an uprising and arson.

However, the arguments in favour of blasphemy laws are often countered by concerns about freedom of expression guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and international conventions and the potential misuse of such laws.

In February, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on Nigerian authorities to immediately release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State.

EU Parliament also demanded that the government repeal blasphemy laws that contradict the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.

Lead-up to ECOWAS Court judgement

The incorporated trustees of Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, a civil society group, filed its public interest case challenging blasphemy laws that have led to serious human rights concerns in Nigeria.

The organisation documented cases where individuals faced arbitrary arrest, detention, and death sentences merely for alleged blasphemous expression.

The application also highlighted incidents of vigilante justice, where accused persons were killed by mobs with apparent impunity.

The organisation contended that Nigeria failed in its obligation to protect citizens’ fundamental rights to life, religious freedom, and freedom of expression by maintaining these laws and failing to prevent related violence.

Why ECOWAS Court strikes down Kano blasphemy laws

Deciding on the case on merit, the ECOWAS Court struck down two key blasphemy provisions in Kano State law as violations of international human rights standards.

The Court specifically identified Section 210 of the Kano State Penal Code as vague, failing to provide clear guidance on what constitutes religious insult and therefore lacking the legal precision required under international human rights standards.

The Court further declared Section 382(b) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law (2000), which imposes the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad, as “excessive and disproportionate” in a democratic society.

Though recognising states’ legitimate interest in maintaining public order and respecting religious beliefs, the court determined that these laws fail the established human rights tests of legality, necessity, and proportionality under both Article 9(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Regarding allegations of state failure to prevent blasphemy-related mob violence, the court found insufficient evidence to support these claims, noting that media reports without additional corroboration did not meet the required standard of proof.

Earlier in its ruling on the preliminary objection against the suit by the Nigerian government, the ECOWAS Court confirmed its jurisdiction to hear the case under its established mandate in Article 9(4) of its Protocol to address human rights violations within member states.

While accepting jurisdiction, the court narrowed the scope of the challenge, permitting only the freedom of expression claims to proceed.

Claims regarding rights to life and religious freedom were deemed inadmissible as private rights that cannot be pursued through public interest litigation.

[cavalierzee]

Neo-Colonialism

[the-penandpaper]

This Black August, let us stand and fight w/ and for liberation of Black ppl Globally

🔴⚫️🟢

#StandWithNiger ✊🏿

#StandWithSudan

#StandWithMali

#StandWithBurkinoFaso

#StandWithHayti

All Power to the People ✊🏿 & To the People the Power ✊🏿

[sissa-arrows]

Me waiting for the ECOWAS to threaten Gabon the way they did for Niger to prove they are not France’s lapdog and that their threats to declare war to Niger were really about democracy and human rights and not about serving France’s interests in the region.

Edit: This post is sarcastic. A comment from @zvaigzdelasas (thank you) made me realize that for people who know nothing about the situation my post could seem very serious. So to clarify…

While the ECOWAS could say something about the situation them not saying anything wouldn’t be surprising either. Not because they are sell outs (even if they are) but simply because Niger was part of the ECOWAS and Gabon is not. On top of it a potential intervention in Gabon would require the support of Cameroon at the very least they would need to be allowed to fly over Cameroon. Cameroon was (still is) against a military intervention in Niger so it’s safe to assume they would be against a military intervention in Gabon too. Also while I talk about French imperialism and hypocrisy, the US also have a big influence in central Africa which is to take into account. France doesn’t have to deal just with African countries the US are involved too and that changes the range of what France can say and do while expecting no real consequences.

Lastly given how important Gabon is for France and what happened during the last election, added to the fact that the coup is not anti western imperialism at all and that the French medias are oddly supporting it, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was a fake coup supported by France to avoid a real coup that would hurt France’s interests in Gabon.

(This last paragraph is pure speculation and my opinion only. I mean you’ll find other Africans in the continent and in the diaspora who think the same but that’s not something backed by anything except this happening in the past and the fact that any coup in Africa that doesn’t ask for the end of Weatern imperialism is suspicious as fuck.)

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Canada is speaking out against a coup d’etat in Niger, but hasn’t joined other nations in threatening to cut aid to the West African country.

Last Wednesday, a faction of Niger’s military claimed to have overthrown the country’s democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum after detaining him in his palace.

In a tweet Friday evening, Global Affairs Canada wrote that Ottawa “strongly condemns the attempted coup” in Niger and calls for Bazoum’s release.

“We reaffirm our support for Niger’s democracy and reiterate our call for President Bazoum’s release,” the department wrote, while expressing support for the Economic Community of West African States, a group of 15 countries known as ECOWAS.

That bloc has threatened to sanction leaders of the military junta and send in troops if Bazoum isn’t restored to power within a week

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[warningsine]

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-bloc-says-it-risks-disintegration-if-junta-led-states-leave-2024-07-07/

ABUJA, July 7 (Reuters) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Sunday the region risked disintegration and worsening insecurity after junta-led Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger made clear their intentions to leave the bloc by signing a confederation treaty.

The Alliance of Sahel States treaty, signed on Saturday, underscored the three countries' determination to turn their backs on the 15-member ECOWAS, which has been urging them to return to democratic rule.

ECOWAS commission president Omar Touray said freedom of movement and a common market of 400 million people were some of the major benefits of the near 50-year-old bloc, but that these were under threat if the three countries left.

Funding of economic projects worth over $500 million in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger could also be stopped or suspended, Touray told an ECOWAS summit in Nigerian capital Abuja.

"Considering these benefits, it is evident that disintegration will not only disrupt the freedom of movement and settlement of people, but it will also worsen insecurity in the region," he said.

The three countries' withdrawal will be a major blow to security cooperation particularly in terms of intelligence sharing and participation in the fight against terrorism, he added.

ECOWAS leaders gathered at the summit to discuss the implications of the treaty by the Alliance of Sahel States, whose juntas seized control in a series of coups in the three states in 2020-2023 and severed military and diplomatic ties with regional allies and Western powers.

A decision on a regional standby force to fight terrorism and a regional currency would also be made, Touray said.

[omowale-jabali-reader]

BREAKING: 🇧🇫 🇳🇪 🇲🇱

Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have issued joint statement withdrawing from ECOWAS with immediate effect.

"After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism." Colonel Amadou stated

◉ The military ruled countries are citing the injustice of sanctions ECOWAS levied on them following takeovers by military juntas.

◉ All three were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.

◉ The three military leaders; Ibrahim Traore(Burkina Faso), Abdourahamane Tiani(Niger) and Assimi Goïta(Mali), have argued that they want to restore security before organising elections as the three Sahel nations struggle contain insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

What's your opinion on this? Do you think their decision is justifiable?

#PanAfricanDailyTV

[humanrightsupdates]

Nigeria: Amnesty International and others demand justice for victims of enforced disappearances in Northeast

Responding to the Nigerian government’s receipt of our application filed with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice to demand justice for cases of enforced disappearances recorded in the Northeast of Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria Director said:

“By allowing the military to carry out thousands of enforced disappearances in the country’s Northeast and subsequently failing to genuinely and effectively investigate and prosecute those responsible, the Nigerian government has violated its international and regional human rights obligations and has failed victims.

“The ECOWAS Court represents one of the few remaining avenues for accountability and justice for victims of enforced disappearances in Northeast Nigeria and their families, who deserve to know the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. The ECOWAS court can help bring about justice by clearly calling out as human rights violations the failure of the Nigerian authorities to properly investigate and prosecute.”

[comradedelaurier]

Will US & France Intervene in Niger? Anti-Colonial Sentiment Erupts in West Africa

[darnellafrica]

Peace Talks: Niger 🇳🇪 Junta, ECOWAS & Niger 🇳🇪 President Are Haggling To Save Face

After a war of words was issued between opposing sides, it is excellent news that the Economic Community Of West African States (also known as ECOWAS) was finally able to meet with the Niger 🇳🇪 Junta & Niger 🇳🇪 President to seek out a diplomatic solution that avoids a regional proxy war.

ABUJA/NIAMEY, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A delegation from West Africa's main regional bloc ECOWAS on Saturday met Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and held talks with junta leader General Abdourahmane Tiani in the capital Niamey, a Nigerian presidential spokesperson said.

The West African group is pursuing diplomatic ways to reverse the July 26 coup. The coup leaders' acceptance of the mission could signal a new willingness to negotiate after the bloc on Friday doubled-down on its threat to use force as a last resort to restore democracy. It said an undisclosed "D-Day" had been agreed for possible military intervention. […]

In the meantime, Tiani said the junta was pursuing its own agenda and would launch a national dialogue to consult on a transition back to democracy, which "should last no longer than three years."

Both sides want a resolution to this crisis, as time is not on either side. ECOWAS wants to discourage further coups in the region & avoid a war that would extend to Mali 🇲🇱 & Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 (which would only benefit agents of chaos like terrorists & crime lords).

Junta leaders in Niger 🇳🇪 (as well as Mali 🇲🇱 & Burkina Faso 🇧🇫) desire an end to economic & military sanctions which ultimately hurt citizens & strengthen the hands of terrorists (the latter who is sadly winning throughout this crisis).

Despite the threats of war, it is unlikely that ECOWAS will invade Niger 🇳🇪 after the Senate in Nigeria 🇳🇬 rejected using military force against their neighbor.

What will probably happen is that Niger 🇳🇪 will announce a return to democracy timetable, which will be mimicked by Mali 🇲🇱 & Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 later on. ECOWAS, in return, will ease up on sanctions, & (alongside the United States 🇺🇸 & Russia 🇷🇺) provide military assistance in striking terrorist targets in the regions.

If peace talks fail, we will witness Mali 🇲🇱, Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 & Niger 🇳🇪 descend into chaos as terrorist groups like Islamic State & Al Qaeda affiliates conquer vast swaths of territory, turning the region into a never-ending war zone.

[hint]

ECOWAS ЭКОВАС угораздило :)