Military rules Burkina Faso for another 5 years, armed attacks in central Mali, Niger-Benin tensions ease

Burkina Faso's military government extends transition period by 5 years, dozens killed in attack in central Mali, Niger-Benin form committee to resolve political tensions are some of the new developments in West Africa.

Captain Ibrahim Traore stands in the middle of an armoured vehicle as he arrives at Burkina Faso's national television station after taking over the leadership of the West African country in September 2022. (Source: Reuters)

* In Burkina Faso , on July 2, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who took power on September 30, 2022, began governing the country for another five years under the revised Transitional Constitution, which allows for an extension of the transitional government's term.

The original charter set a 21-month transition to civilian rule, with a July 1 deadline for elections, but Traoré has repeatedly warned that the plan would be difficult to implement due to the unstable security situation.

Speaking on state television channel RTB, Burkina Faso's Minister of Justice and Human Rights Edasso Rodrigue Bayala said there would be no oath-taking or investiture ceremony.

Institutionally, the Transitional Legislative Council may undergo restructuring, and the decision to reshuffle the government is within the power of the head of state.

* In Mali , local authorities confirmed that unidentified armed gunmen attacked the village of Djiguibombo in the Mopti region - one of many areas in northern and central Mali where jihadist groups linked to the two terrorist organizations Al Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) have been active for more than 10 years.

“It was a very serious attack,” said Bankass Mayor Moulaye Guindo.

Although Mr. Guindo did not specify the number of people killed, two anonymous local officials revealed that about 40 people were killed, most of them men.

To date, local authorities have not yet identified the perpetrators and no group has admitted to causing the incident.

* Niger and Benin will establish a joint commission comprising representatives of the two governments, as well as two former Presidents of Benin, Boni Yayi and Nicéphore Soglo, with the task of initiating a constructive dialogue process, highlighting the interests of both sides above all, in order to de-escalate the growing tensions.

The source cited a press release signed by Niger Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine and two former Benin Presidents on June 26, saying that the committee will study the differences between the two countries in order to normalize relations, ensure common security and resume effective socio-economic exchanges in a peaceful political environment.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bat-on-o-tay-phi-quan-doi-quan-ly-burkina-faso-them-5-nam-tan-cong-vu-trang-o-mien-trung-mali-niger-benin-ha-nhiet-cang-thang-277270.html