International
ECOWAS sends Togolese leader to engage Niger Junta
West African leaders yesterday took a step forward in their quest for the restoration of democracy in Niger Republic.
The sub-regional body, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government raised a three-man negotiation team to mediate in the protracted political crisis in the country.
Led by President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, other members of the team are President Macky Sall of Sierra Leone and President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic.
The ECOWAS Authority, which is chaired by President Bola Tinubu, took the decision during its 64th Ordinary Session at the State House Conference Center in Abuja.
The team’s terms of reference are to negotiate Niger’s speedy return to democracy with the junta that seized power from the legitimate government led by Mohammed Bazoum, who is in detention, encourage the coup plotters to release a transition programme and facilitate the monitoring of the programme.
Besides, the ECOWAS Authority resolved to prevent any attempt to break the sub-regional group through foreign-sponsored alliances and set up a standby force for counterterrorism across region.
According to its communique read by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, the leaders mandated the three-man Committee to interface with the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), which is the military administration in Niger Republic.
It said the team was expected to rally the CNDP and other stakeholders to agree to a short transition roadmap and the establishment of transition organs and goals.
The Abdourahamane Tchiani-led CNSP had about a month ago requested that Togolese President Gnassingbe should lead the team to negotiate with it in resolving the impasse.
That followed the ousting in July the democratically elected administration of President Bazoum.
ECOWAS Authority said the outcome of the engagement with the CNSP will determine its subsequent resolutions; either to commence the progressive relieving of the imposed sanctions or sustain the sanctions, including the use of force, as well as requests for more actions against the junta from other international bodies.
The communiqué reads: “On the political situation in the Republic of Niger, the Authority recalled its decision at its extra ordinary summit of 30 July, 2023, and 10th August 2023.
“The Authority commends the efforts of the Chair of Authority, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, towards a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.
“The Authority deeply deplores the continued detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates by the CNSP administration. The Authority further deplores the lack of commitment on the part of the CNSP to restore constitutional order. Consequently, the Authority calls on the CNSP to release President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates immediately and without condition.
“The Authority decides to set up a committee of heads of state, made up of the President and Head of State of the Republic of Togo, the President and the Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Benin, to engage with CNSP and other stakeholders, with a view to agreeing on a short transition roadmap, establishing transition organs, as well as facilitating the setting up of a transition monitoring and evaluation mechanism towards the speedy restoration of constitutional order.
“Based on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of heads of state with the CNSP, the Authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger. Failure by the CNSP to comply with the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall maintain all sanctions, including the use of force and will request African Union and all other partners to enforce the targeted sanctions on members of the CNSP and their associates.”
The ECOWAS Authority also rejected new moves by external interests to balkanise the region by creating alliances among member-states.
President Tinubu frowned at an attempt to distract the efforts at entrenching democratic culture in the region through the creation the ‘Alliance of the Sahel States’ among military-run member-states.
International
Nigeria’s Enang Presents Credentials to German President Steinmeier (Images)
Senator Ambassador Ita Solomon Enang, LLD, OFR, has formally presented his Letters of Credence to the Federal President of Germany, His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in Berlin.

The solemn ceremony, conducted in accordance with diplomatic tradition, included a welcome parade by the German military, the signing of the Accreditation Register at the Presidency, and the formal presentation of credentials. President Steinmeier subsequently received Ambassador Enang for bilateral discussions.

Ambassador Enang expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the honour of his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany.
During the talks, President Steinmeier commended the excellent relations between Nigeria and Germany. He recalled state visits and meetings on the sidelines of multilateral forums, and noted the swift processing of Germany’s incoming Ambassador to Nigeria.

Discussions focused on strengthening economic ties, particularly in the power sector, including off-grid technology and Siemens projects; agriculture and food security; citizen diplomacy; and migration and consular matters. Emphasis was placed on opportunities for skilled Nigerians in medicine, technology, IT, artificial intelligence and other fields under a proposed formal Nigeria-Germany migration agreement.
The two sides also addressed Nigeria’s leadership role in ECOWAS and the importance of engaging Sahelian states that have left the regional body for improved security coordination. Other topics included attracting German automobile assembly plants to Nigeria to promote local manufacturing, technology transfer and job creation, rather than continuing imports of fully assembled vehicles.
They reviewed Germany’s role as guarantor of the Green Tree Agreement following the International Court of Justice ruling on the Nigeria-Cameroon land and maritime boundary, including issues related to Bakassi and population displacements. Interest from German firms in capturing flared gas in the Niger Delta for electricity generation, as well as Nigerian oil’s place in the German economy, was also discussed.
Ambassador Enang conveyed the Federal Government of Nigeria’s appreciation for the humanitarian aid donation announced by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during a courtesy call on Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, on 22 July 2026.

Both sides noted the strong personal relations between President Tinubu and President Steinmeier and discussed the value of further high-level state visits. The audience was attended by designated federal ministers and named members of the German Federal Government.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of memorabilia involving officials of the German Federal Foreign Office, the Nigerian Mission in Berlin and the visiting delegation. Ambassador Enang was accompanied by Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Bashir, Head of Chancery H.E. Dr (Mrs) Chioma Haidara, his wife H.E. Dr (Mrs) Rosemary Ita Enang, his son Mr Charles Ita Enang and his daughter Engr Dr Roses Ita Enang.
As the ceremony closed, a detachment of the German military rendered honours while the Nigerian flag was simultaneously hoisted at the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Germany.
International
Trump threatens Iran bridges, power plant in latest Hormuz attacks
Trump told reporters that he was “not finished” with a war that has already cost Washington $37.5 billion.
US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to bomb Iranian bridge or power plant each time Theran attack ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest round of escalation began on July 18.
Trump told reporters that he was “not finished” with a war that has already cost Washington $37.5 billion.
Fighting over the strait led to the collapse of a preliminary deal between the United States and Iran, and Tehran has reimposed its blockade on the strategic conduit for oil and gas shipments, firing on vessels that seek to transit.
The blockade has rattled markets and sent oil prices climbing, adding to the pressure on Trump to find an off-ramp to a conflict that has hit Americans’ pocketbooks heading into closely-fought midterm elections.
International
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top army commander after days of protests
Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, who is a popular, battle-hardened general.
•Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country’s army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
It comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – a move that triggered street protests across the country.Initial rumours that the end of Fedorov’s tenure was related to a conflict between him and Syrskyi were soon confirmed.
Fedorov, 35, has been widely praised for energising the ministry and transforming the armed forces, as well as leading a drive against corruption.
Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet-school commander reluctant to implement radical changes in the army.
Syrskyi defended his record in a farewell address, writing on Telegram: “An army that was fighting a difficult defensive campaign two years ago is now on the offensive.””I am handing over to my successor an army that is not only holding the line but is advancing… I sincerely hope this offensive will continue.”
Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, who is a popular, battle-hardened general.
” I will work responsibly, with full focus, and with respect for the people who are defending our country today,” Drapatyi said on Facebook
BBC
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