Africa

Niger's political scene became more complex on Wednesday as former rebel Rhissa Ag Boula announced a new Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR) aimed at reinstating deposed Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum.

West Africa's regional bloc on Wednesday said a military intervention in junta-ruled Niger was "the last resort" as Nigeria cut electricity supplies to intensify pressure on the country's coup leaders.

Nigerien tailor Yahaya Oumarou carefully ran cuts of white, blue and red fabric under his sewing machine, assembling them into the three horizontal bands of Russia's flag.

Niger has ignored a seven-day deadline to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The bloc prepares to hold a special summit on Thursday. What steps can it now realistically take?

In Niger, the country's new military rulers refused to allow a West African peace mission to visit from neighboring Nigeria. Niger's junta appears unwilling to back down, even as other countries impose sanctions and trade restrictions.

Pressure mounts on Niger's military junta to re-install the democratic government. The US says there is still time for a diplomatic exit to the crisis, as ECOWAS threatens military intervention to restore President Bazoum to power. Meanwhile, France slashes millions in aid to Burkina Faso in response to its support for Niger's junta. And lastly, Senegal's most prominent opposition leader is hospitalised, following a hunger strike in prison. Ousmane Sonko began refusing food late last month in protest at what he says are politically motivated charges.

Nigeria slaps fresh sanctions on the military junta in Niger as it says 'all options are on the table' to restore President Bazoum to power, nearly two weeks after the coup d'etat. Also in this edition: Despite an opposition boycott, voters in CAR overwhemlingly endorse a new constitution, paving the way for President Touadera to run for a third term. And finally: We get reactions from Rwanda after a UN court's decision to indefinitely halt the trial of Felicien Kabuga, an alleged financier of the 1994 genocide.

The regional bloc is scrambling to meet this Thursday to discuss Niger after the coup leaders ignored calls to reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum. Analysts say there is still room for a diplomatic solution.

7,500 people died at sea on the migrant route from West Africa to the Spanish Canary Islands between 2020 and 2022. Senegalese fishermen embark on the perilous journey, as native fish stocks deplete.

The military junta said it shuttered the country's airspace because of the "threat of intervention." An ECOWAS demand to restore President Bazoum or risk military action has now expired.

Niger closed its airspace on Sunday until further notice, citing the threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc, after leaders of its recent coup rejected a deadline to reinstate the country’s ousted president.

A bus carrying foreign migrants careened off the road and fell into a ravine in northern Mexico, leaving 18 people dead. The driver has been detained.