Latest news with #militaryJunta
Reuters
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Mali military reports coordinated attacks on its positions
BAMAKO, July 1 (Reuters) - Mali's armed forces reported coordinated attacks on multiple military positions early on Tuesday in seven towns in the central and western region of the West African country. A military statement did not provide details about the attacks or those responsible. No group has so far claimed responsibility, but the incidents bore the hallmarks of recent operations by al Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) militants who have conducted similar assaults in the region in recent weeks. Mali, governed by a military junta since 2020, has for more than a decade fought insurgent groups linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda, while contending with a longer history of Tuareg-led rebellions in the north. The attacks on Tuesday targeted Diboli in western Mali near Senegal's border, and the nearby towns of Kayes and Sandere. There were also attacks in Nioro du Sahel and Gogoui, northwest of the capital Bamako near the border with Mauritania, and in Molodo and Niono in central Mali, the army's statement said. A spokesperson for Mali's armed forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Niger military leaders to nationalise uranium firm
Niger's military junta says it will nationalise the majority French-owned local uranium company in the latest escalation in a row between the two countries. Somaïr is operated by French nuclear fuels company Orano, which Niger accuses of several "irresponsible acts". Since seizing power in 2023, Niger's military leaders have said they want to keep more local control of the country's mineral wealth, and have distanced themselves from France, the former colonial power, moving closer to Russia. Niger is the world's seventh largest producer of uranium and has the highest-grade ores in Africa. "This nationalisation will allow for healthier and more sustainable management of the company and, consequently, optimal enjoyment of the wealth from mining resources by Nigeriens," the junta said in a statement. Orano has not yet commented. The company, which has operated in Niger for decades, owns a 63% stake in Somaïr but last year the military authorities seized operational control of the firm. According to the Reuters news agency, Orano, which is owned by the French state, has launched legal action against Niger over its actions. How a uranium mine became a pawn in the row between Niger and France Niger achieved independence from France in 1960 and the former colonial power managed to secure exclusive access to Niger's uranium supply through various agreements. Analysts say this was seen by many in Niger as a symbol of the country's continued domination by France. However, they also note that any uncertainty over the mining sector's future could threaten hundreds of jobs, as well as export earnings. Earlier this week, neighbouring Mali announced it was building a gold refinery in partnership with a Russian conglomerate. Like Niger, Mali is under military control and says it wants to assert more economic control of its mineral wealth, while cutting ties with France and the West. WATCH: How has Niger changed since the coup? 'France takes us for idiots' - Inside coup-hit Niger Is France to blame for coups in West Africa? Why young Africans are celebrating military takeovers Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Niger military leaders to nationalise uranium firm Somaïr
Niger's military junta says it will nationalise the majority French-owned local uranium company in the latest escalation in a row between the two is operated by French nuclear fuels company Orano, which Niger accuses of several "irresponsible acts". Since seizing power in 2023, Niger's military leaders have said they want to keep more local control of the country's mineral wealth, and have distanced themselves from France, the former colonial power, moving closer to is the world's seventh largest producer of uranium and has the highest-grade ores in Africa. "This nationalisation will allow for healthier and more sustainable management of the company and, consequently, optimal enjoyment of the wealth from mining resources by Nigeriens," the junta said in a statement. Orano has not yet company, which has operated in Niger for decades, owns a 63% stake in Somaïr but last year the military authorities seized operational control of the to the Reuters news agency, Orano, which is owned by the French state, has launched legal action against Niger over its a uranium mine became a pawn in the row between Niger and FranceNiger achieved independence from France in 1960 and the former colonial power managed to secure exclusive access to Niger's uranium supply through various say this was seen by many in Niger as a symbol of the country's continued domination by they also note that any uncertainty over the mining sector's future could threaten hundreds of jobs, as well as export earnings. You may also be interested in: WATCH: How has Niger changed since the coup?'France takes us for idiots' - Inside coup-hit NigerIs France to blame for coups in West Africa?Why young Africans are celebrating military takeovers Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Washington Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Nigerian leader's pardon of executed Ogoni activists draws criticisms
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has posthumously pardoned nine environmental activists executed 30 years ago by the then-ruling military junta, drawing sharp criticism and anger from activists who argued on Friday that the individuals committed no crime. During an event Thursday to mark the 26th anniversary of Nigeria's return to democracy, Tinubu pardoned the 'Ogoni Nine,' including celebrated writer Ken Saro-Wiwa , and described them as 'national heroes.'
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
With peace plan faltering, Asean calls two meetings on Myanmar conflict next week
JAKARTA, May 21 — The South-east Asian grouping Asean will hold two meetings specifically on the civil war in army-ruled Myanmar ahead of its summit next week, the bloc's secretary-general said today, in a bid to advance its faltering peace effort. The 10-member Association of South-east Asian Nations has repeatedly called for a halt in hostilities between rebels and the ruling junta that have displaced an estimated 3.5 million people since the military overthrew the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Asean's peace proposal that same year, the 'Five Point Consensus', which calls for an end to violence and dialogue between warring groups, has made barely any progress, resulting in Myanmar's ruling generals being barred from its summits. 'This is something new that will specifically focus on Myanmar, that they will take no other issue,' Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn told Reuters in an interview, referring to the two meetings in Malaysia on Myanmar. Kao Kim Hourn did not specify the issues up for discussion or if there were new proposals to be made. He said the first meeting would involve the current, previous and next Asean chair nations, namely Malaysia, Laos and Philippines, respectively. The second gathering would be of the bloc's foreign ministers, he said. Once seen as a promising frontier market following a decade of economic reform and tentative democracy, the 2021 coup plunged Myanmar into chaos, with the military struggling to govern and battling to contain a widening rebellion by ethnic minority rebels and a pro-democracy resistance movement. The military has been accused of widespread atrocities, including air strikes on civilian areas, allegations it has rejected as western disinformation. 'We all are too impatient' Asked about the lack of progress on Myanmar, Kao Kim Hourn defended Asean's plan, describing it as 'beautiful', but urged all stakeholders to implement it. 'It will be presumptuous for any party to expect a quick fix to this issue. For us, we stay engaged,' he said. 'But it may take time. You see, the thing is that we all are too impatient.' 'And as long as we bring down, you know, large-scale fighting to a smaller one, as long as we can bring people to the table, that's progress.' He declined to comment on the military launching multiple airstrikes and artillery assaults, as reported by Reuters, despite a ceasefire after a major earthquake in March. Kao Kim Hourn said it was unclear who had violated the ceasefire. He also reiterated Asean countries and China were committed to finalising a protracted code of conduct for the hotly disputed South China Sea by next year, stressing the need to support that effort by maintaining peace. 'What is important for us in this region, number one, is to de-escalate the tensions and to prevent any possible risk of miscalculation, misperception that gives rise to unnecessary tension and maybe conflict,' Kao Kim Hourn said. He also cited good progress towards admitting an 11th member to Asean — East Timor — which he said had fulfilled a number of required criteria. 'More likely, it could take place maybe later this year,' he said. — Reuters
