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Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Cut Ties With ECOWAS, Form New Alliance

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The military regimes of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and officially formed a new alliance.

Niger’s ruling general announced the move during the inaugural summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in Niamey on Saturday.

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani at the summit, which saw the participation of the three nations’ leaders stated “our people have irrevocably turned their backs on ECOWAS”.

The AES was established after the countries withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year.

In September, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso signed a mutual defense pact, marking a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso left ECOWAS, citing accusations of Paris manipulating the bloc and insufficient support for anti-jihadist efforts.

“The AES is the only effective sub-regional grouping in the fight against terrorism,” Tiani stated on Saturday, highlighting ECOWAS’s “conspicuous lack of involvement in this fight.”

The exit marks a shift away from their former colonial ruler, France, with Tiani advocating for a new bloc that is a “community far removed from the stranglehold of foreign powers.”

All three nations have expelled French anti-jihadist troops, turning instead to their “sincere partners” — Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Facing deadly jihadist violence, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso will focus on “the fight against terrorism” and the “consolidation of cooperation” during Saturday’s agenda, according to the Burkinabe presidency.

ECOWAS is set to hold a summit of its heads of state in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Sunday, where relations with the AES is anticipaed to be a key topic.

After multiple bilateral meetings, the three Sahelian leaders are convening for the first time since seizing power through coups between 2020 and 2023.

In mid-May, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger met in Niamey to draft a text establishing the confederation, which the heads of state are set to adopt at Saturday’s summit.

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani first received Burkinabe counterpart Ibrahim Traore in the capital on Friday, followed by Malian Colonel Assimi Goita on Saturday.

“Don’t expect many announcements; this is primarily a political event,” remarked Gilles Yabi, founder of the West African think tank Wathi. “The goal is to demonstrate that this is a serious project with three dedicated heads of state showing their solidarity.”

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International News

DOJ Confirms Federal Criminal Investigation After Agents Raid Ilhan Omar’s Home

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Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.

Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.

SEE MORE: Trump Sparks Outrage With Shock Proposal to Rename New Mexico

The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.

A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”

The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”

 

 

Details later……….

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Bangkok Underwater: Nearly 4,900 Evacuated as Floods Hit Thailand Capital

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Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.

The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.

SEE ALSO: NAFDAC Warns Nigerians As Fake Cowbell Milk Floods Market

According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.

Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.

Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.

Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.

For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.

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‘They Are Dying’ — Trump Explains Why He Rejected Iran’s Hormuz Proposal

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US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.

“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.

SEE ALSO: How the Strait of Hormuz Attack Could Trigger a Fresh Global Oil Shock

According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.

“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.

“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”

Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”

“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.

“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.

Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.

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