Myanmar’s anti-coup forces have launched an unprecedented drone attack on military targets in Naypyidaw, the remote capital built in secret by a previous military regime. The National Unity Government (NUG), which includes elected politicians removed from office in the February…
Options before ECOWAS — Ehi Braimah
It’s been over three weeks since the military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani sacked the administration of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic – our next door neighbor – on July 26. During the period, leaders and…
Mali scraps French as official language
Mali has removed French as an official state language, six decades after the country gained independence from its former colonial master. The decision is enshrined in the West African country’s new constitution, adopted on Saturday. On Friday, Bamako’s constitutional court…
In Myanmar, birthday wishes for Aung San Suu Kyi lead to a wave of arrests
In military-ruled Myanmar, there seemed to be a new criminal offence this week: wearing a flower in one’s hair on June 19. Pro-democracy activists say more than 130 people, most of them women, have been arrested for participating in a…
Myanmar releases more than 2,000 political prisoners in holiday amnesty
The ruling military government of Myanmar said Wednesday that it will release more than 2,000 political prisoners as a “humanitarian” gesture to mark a major Buddhist holiday. In an administrative order, the military junta said it was releasing “2,153 prisoners…
Myanmar military pardons more than 3,000 prisoners for New Year
Myanmar’s military has announced plans to release 3,113 prisoners, including 98 foreigners, to mark the country’s traditional New Year. The statement by the military on Monday did not specify whether those imprisoned for opposing its power grab in February 2021…
Myanmar junta dissolves Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, dozens of other opposition parties
Myanmar’s military government moved Wednesday to dissolve dozens of opposing parties including Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. The country’s election commission dissolved 40 parties in all, according to a statement published in a state newspaper, on grounds…
Myanmar rebels, junta trade blame for Monastery killings
Myanmar’s junta and anti-coup fighters traded accusations on Monday over the killing of around 30 people who were sheltering in a monastery. The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since a coup two years ago, with the military fighting…
Myanmar coup anniversary: ‘Silent strike’ marks 2 years of military rule
Pro-democracy activists in Myanmar are holding a “silent strike” to mark two years since a military coup. Protesters have urged the public to remain indoors and for businesses to close for Wednesday’s anniversary. The call came as the UK, US,…
Macron asks Burkina Faso to clarify report of demand for French troops to leave
French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday he was awaiting “clarifications” from Burkina Faso’s new junta leader following a report saying authorities in the West African country ordered hundreds of French troops to leave within a month. Macron said during a…