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Niger crisis needs diplomatic solution devoid of foreign involvement – AFRO-GLOBAL
The Africa Center of Global Engagement and Diplomacy (AFRO-GLOBAL), a policy think-tank, has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to use diplomatic dialogue to find solution and restore democracy in Niger.
In a statement issued last Friday and signed by the Director/Lead Researcher of AFRO-GLOBAL, Professor Lord Mawuko-Yavugah, the centre reminded leaders of the bloc to be mindful of the “too many unanswered issues” that might undermine a credible ECOWAS-led intervention.
AFRO-GLOBAL said while the military takeover was unfortunate, it believed that the situation needed a diplomatic solution and not a military solution.
“Our call is based on the understanding that the military solution has never had a predictable outcome,” it added.
It added that there were reports that suggested that France and the US had over 1,500 and 1,100 troops respectively in Niger. AFRO-GLOBAL therefore, questioned what would be the role of those foreign troops in the event of an ECOWAS led intervention in Niger.
“How would their role undermine the image and independence of ECOWAS?” it asked.
The centre also made reference to reports of the coup makers seeking the assistance of the Russian mercenary group Wegner, asking if ECOWAS would be prepared for a war that might become a proxy of superpowers.
“In view of the general poor economic situation in the sub-region, who would pay for the cost of the intervention? Would it be the struggling economies of the region or a foreign power?” The statement quizzed.
AFRO-GLOBAL therefore appeal to regional leaders to be cautious of the involvement of foreign powers in the ongoing process.
“It appears to any observer that France seems more interested in the return to power of the ousted leader than the people of Niger.
Comments by French officials on the ECOWAS position and the planned military intervention only go to deepen suspicion about the neutrality of ECOWAS,” it said.
Accusing France of being a party to the current crisis, the centre urged France to restrain itself from any issues relating to efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis.
“We therefore urge the French government and other powers to refrain from comments that may undermine the efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
We appeal to ECOWAS leaders to reconsider the military option and allow dialogue and diplomacy to work,” they indicated.
Given that Algeria had so far played a constructively positive role by not appearing confrontational as ECOWAS, the centre urged leaders of the bloc to consider engaging Algeria to play a mediating role in the crisis.
It further urged ECOWAS to engage Russia, China and any other power that might likely come to the aid of the coup makers to prevent them from intervening on the side of the coup makers.
“This will enable the sanctions to be effective. The group must isolate foreign powers (particularly France) from any solution it adopts to resolve the crisis.The sanctions imposed by ECOWAS should be used to negotiate a timetable for a return to civilian rule where every achieved target results in the lifting of specific sanctions,” the statement concluded.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman
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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
