Why we lifted sanctions on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso – ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African State​s (ECOWAS) says the decision to lift sanctions on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso was based on the need to maintain regional unity and security.

D​r Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission said this at the end of the extraordinary session of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on Saturday in Abuja.

He said that the authority took note of the period of Lent and the approaching month of Ramadan and the impact on citizens, adding that pleas were also received from prominent leaders including retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

”The authority takes note that the withdrawal will have political, social, socio economic, financial and institutional implications for the three countries as well as for ECOWAS as a region.

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”The authority recall​s that within the framework of regional cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime, the three countries benefited from about 100 million US dollars mobilised by UMR within the context of ECOWAS plan of action against terrorism.

”Moreover, some funds allocation, about 7.5 million U.S. dollars is being made towards supporting the three countries in acquiring the equipment to help their fight against terrorism.

”The withdrawal will affect security cooperation in terms of sharing intelligence and participation in regional counterterrorism initiatives.
”Such as the Accra initiative, and the Multinational Joint Task Force,’‘ he said.

Touray added that the withdrawal of the countries from the sub-regional bloc would lead to diplomatic and political isolation at the international scene where the countries have obtained support for their candidates in the contest for international positions.

”The authority recognises that the withdrawal will automatically affect the immigration status of the citizens, as they may be required to obtain visas to travel around the region.

”Citizens may no longer be able to reside or set up businesses under ECOWAS arrangement and may be subject to diverse national laws.
The three countries will cease to use ECOWAS passports across biometric national identity cards, and the brown card vehicle insurance.

”The authority recognises that the three member states represent 17.4
per cent of the region’s 425 million population.
Even though they represent 10% of the region’s GDP, their departure will constitute a reduction of the market size of ​ECOWAS.

He said that the ​sanctions w​ere lifted to promote trade and benefits derived from​ several regional projects and programmes including the Regional Food Security Reserve.

”The regional support programme for powerful pastoralism in the Sahel, which is being funded by the World Bank to the tune of 215 million US dollars is also a project that benefits the three countries.

”The three countries also benefit from the Sahel regional irrigation support programme, which is being funded by the World Bank to the tune of 103 million US dollars.

”The three regional food systems resilient support programme in the amount of 230 million, funded by the World Bank is also benefiting the three countries.

”West African single identity and regional integration and inclusion project is another programme that the three countries benefit from.”

​He said that other projects the countries benefits from are the ECOWAS regional electricity market, West African Power Pool project, which links member states to a regional electricity grid for improved access to electricity.

He said not lifting the sanction would result in the halt or the suspension of all ECOWAS projects and programmes worth more than 500 million US dollars.

Touray said that the projects collectively valued at approximately 321.6 million U.S. dollars.

”Reviewing the implications at the institutional level, the authority notes that the withdrawal will not only require the closure of four regional entities in Burkina Faso, two regional bodies in Mali and one regional office in Asia.

”It will also affect the job security of some 130 ECOWAS staff who are citizens of the three countries. Currently 77 staff members are from Burkina Faso, 23 are from Mali, and 32 are from Niger.

Why we lifted sanctions on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso – ECOWAS

Ghanaian woman attempts to break Guinness record for longest cooking marathon

A budding Ghanaian musician and chef on Wednesday ended her cooking marathon attempt that lasted 227 hours and two seconds, waiting to be recognised by the Guinness World Records.

Local media reported on Friday that Failatu Abdul-Razak, a mother of one, began her cooking marathon on New Year’s Day at a hotel in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region.

Thousands of Ghanaians, including top politicians, arts and media personalities, and travelers, have been thronging the venue to support her.

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Social media platforms were also flooded with encouragement and admiration for Failatu.

The Ghanaian Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia praised Failatu, saying the attempt has put Ghana on the map and proves that it is possible to accomplish anything one sets their mind no.

“When I say it is possible, it means we can be the best,” Bawumia said.

“It is possible to beat the best in the world. That mindset is what Ghanaians need.”

According to the Guinness World Records website, the longest cooking marathon by an individual lasted 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds, which was achieved by an Irish chef named Alan Fisher in October 2023.

Under Guinness World Records guidelines, the contender is permitted a five-minute break for every continuous hour of activity.

These rest hours could be accumulated if not taken, and they are the only times the individual could use the washroom or sleep during the attempt.

During the past days, Failatu mainly prepared regional dishes, including jollof rice, one of the most popular cuisines in West Africa.

Failatu’s feat came a few days after another Ghanaian woman, Afua Asantewaa, attempted to break the Guinness record of the longest individual singing marathon by singing for 126 hours and 52 minutes.

Ghanaian woman attempts to break Guinness record for longest cooking marathon

Truck explodes at Nigeria/Benin border area while discharging diesel

A tanker loaded with 25,000 litres of diesel exploded on Monday at Seme, a border community between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

The explosion occurred as the tanker was discharging its content into a reservoir.

An eyewitness told newsmen in Badagry on Tuesday that the explosion threw people in surrounding communities on the Nigeria and Benin Republic sides of the border into panic mode.

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“It made many people to run helter-skelter in search of safety.

“We had a sense of relief when firemen from Badagry came with two fire engines to put the fire out,’’ the eyewitness said.

Confirming the explosion, Mrs Ololade Agboola, spokesperson of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the quick arrival of firemen at the scene staved off damages.

She said there was no casualty during and after the explosion.

Truck explodes at Nigeria/Benin border area while discharging diesel