The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mali

  • Mali postpones presidential election planned for February

    Mali postpones presidential election planned for February

    The presidential election planned for February in the military-ruled West African state of Mali has to be postponed “for technical reasons”, the transitional government announced on Monday.

    The junta cited the updating of the electoral roll and problems with a census database following a dispute with the operating company as reasons.

    A new election date is to be announced at a later date, it said.

    The military seized power in Mali more than two years ago and the timetable for the transition has been delayed before.

    A constitutional referendum planned for February 2023 was not held until June, and local elections planned for June have still not taken place.

    The security situation is very bad in the north and centre of Mali.

    Read Also: Ogoni monarch lauds Tinubu’s clean-up plan, resumption of oil production

    Islamists close to the terrorist militias Islamic State and al-Qaeda control large areas of the country on the edge of the Sahara.

    At the request of the military junta of Colonel Assimi Goïta, the UN stabilisation mission with around 12,000 peacekeepers would withdraw by the end of the year.

    The Malian army has turned away from former European partners such as the ex-colonial power France and is fighting the terrorists with the help of Russian mercenaries.

    Neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger, also terrorized by Islamists in the common border region, are also ruled by the military after coups.

    The latest coup in Niger in July triggered international anger and a regional crisis.

    France announced on Sunday that it would withdraw its soldiers from Niger by the end of the year.

  • Terrorists kill 49 civilians,15 soldiers in Mali army base, boat attacks

    Terrorists kill 49 civilians,15 soldiers in Mali army base, boat attacks

    Forty nine civilians have been reportedly killed by Islamist militants who attacked a river boat in north-eastern Mali.

    The militants also attacked an army camp, killing 15 soldiers. Fifty  militants were  killed during the attack.

    The interim government in Mali disclosed this on Friday while  declaring three days of national mourning.

    A report by the BBC said the Islamist threat had been growing despite claims by the military that Russian Wagner Group mercenaries are turning the tide of their campaign.

    The northern city of Timbuktu, about 50km (30 miles) from where the boat was attacked, has been under blockade since the end of last month and there have been several other recent attacks on transport.

    The BBC said it could not independently verify the government’s latest report, which was read out on national TV.

    Militants reportedly attacked the boat as it was traveling on the River Niger from the town of Gao to Mopti. The river is a key transport link in a region where there are few quality roads and no railways.

    Militants also attacked an army camp in the Bourem Circle in the Gao region.

    Read Also: Give God your first fruit to prosper, Adeboye tells Redeemer varsity graduates

    The Malian army said on social media that the boat had been attacked around 11:00 GMT by “armed terrorist groups”.

    The al-Qaeda linked group, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), said it had carried out the assault on the army camp but has not mentioned the boat attack. It is one of several Islamist militant groups operating in northern Mali and neighbouring countries.

    It has also said it had carried out an attack on Friday, on another military base in Gao, which the army described as “complex” without giving further details.

    The boat operator, Comanav, told AFP news agency the vessel had been targeted by at least three rockets aimed at its engines,

    The vessel was immobilised on the river and the army went in to evacuate passengers, said a Comanav official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

    Mali has been under the control of a military junta since 2020.

    There was huge popular support for the junta when it seized power after mass protests against then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. People had been angered by economic uncertainty, a disputed election and chronic insecurity.

    Since then, data suggests Mali’s military government has made little progress in its fight back against Islamists who control parts of the country.

  • Africa Games: Flying Eagles qualify for final beat Mali 5-4

     

    It was a sweet revenge for Flying Eagles on Tuesday at the ongoing 12th Africa Games in Morocco as the Paul Aigbogun tutored side took a pound of flesh from their Malian counterparts to hit the finals of the football event.

    The two teams had played out a barren draw in Rabat at the end of regulation time and extra time forcing the encounter into penalties.

    The Nigerian lads apparently not ready to allow thunder strike twice in one place held their nerves to convert all their five kicks while the Malians failed to convert the last kick thus handing the Nigerian lads a 5-4 victory.

    The encounter which was watched by lots of soccer enthusiasts who agreed that the boys on the pitch gave a good account of themselves, looked like a replica of what transpired at the Africa Under 20 Nations cup played earlier this year in Niger, where Mali edged out Nigeria 4-3 on penalty to qualify for the finals

    Flying Eagles set for Africa Games finals on Friday in Rabat

    There were permutations that the battle of Rabat would have ended without heading for penalty if Flying Eagles captain Abubakar Ibrahim had buried a penalty awarded to the team after Success Makanjuola was fouled in the 21st minute of the match.

    Nigeria last won football Gold at the 1973 games, which she hosted.

    Nigeria will battle the winner of the second semifinal tie between Senegal and Burkina Faso in Friday Final, while Mali will play in the third place match on Thursday.

  • AFCON 2019: Zaha sends Cote d’Ivoire into last eight

    Wilfried Zaha gave the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire a 1-0 win over Mali in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 match on Monday in Suez.

    Mali dominated most of the game however and missed a flurry of chances.

    Zaha, who had barely featured in the match until that point, took advantage as Mali got into a terrible mess from a Cote d’Ivoire goal kick in the 76th minute.

    Read Also: UPDATED: AFCON 2019: South Africa sends Egypt packing

    That was enough to earn his side a barely deserved win and quarter-final tie against Algeria.

    Mali, unbeaten in the group stage, had played with verve and skill as they took their southern neighbours apart in the first half.

    Moussa Djenepo and Abdoulaye Diaby caused all sorts of trouble down the flanks and Moussa Marega was a constant threat in attack.

    But, as they began to tire after around an hour, Cote d’Ivoire came back into the game.

    Jonathan Kodjia missed gilt-edged chance when he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, but Zaha was not so forgiving minutes later.

    NAN

  • AFCON 2019: Four-star Mali too much for Mauritania

    Newcomers Mauritania were given an unpleasant welcome to their debut AFCON appearance as they lost to West African neighbours Mali 4-1 in their Group E game Monday night in Suez.

    Mali now lead the group with three points, two more than Tunisia and Angola who played to a 1-1 draw earlier at the same venue.

    Mauritania follow in that order with no point.

    Mali Eagles were the better side from the start to the end, and capped a convincing performance with an important win that saw them move closer to the next round.

    Abdoulaye Diaby and Moussa Marega each scored within a span of eight minutes, and Adama Noss Traore added a third just after the break.

    Haven Al Ide scored from the penalty kick spot to give Mauritania a historic goal.

    But Adama Traore added the fourth for Les Aigles to hand Les Mourabitoune defeat in their first ever AFCON match.

    Read Also: AFCON 2019: Angola hit back to force draw with Tunisia

    Boosted by their debut, Mauritania started the game in a speedy way but without threatening their opponents’ defence.

    The game’s first chance came after five minutes when a miscommunication between Mali’s goalkeeper Djigui Diarra could have cost his team an own goal.

    But the ball was cleared for a corner kick.

    Mali’s first chance fell to Diaby whose shot from outside the area missed the goal by a slim margin after nine minutes.

    Adams Traore tried to shoot from distance at the quarter hour mark but he saw his shot going wide.

    Once again Diaby tried his luck from outside area and found the same fate after 22 minutes.

    But Diaby was third time lucky after 38 minutes when his shot from outside the area left Mauritania goalkeeper Souleymane Diallo with no chance.

    And just before the break, Mali were two up.

    Diablo fouled Lassan Coulibaly inside the vital area leaving the referee with no option but to give Mali a penalty kick, from which Marega doubled the Eagles lead.

    Mauritania coach Corentin Martins introduced star player Moulay Ahmed “Bessam”,trying to give the team new blood in attack.

    But it was Mali that added a third goal via Noss Traore.

    He received the ball from Diadie Samasekou and sent a curling shot to add to Mauritania woes after 55 minutes.

    Mauritania threw all men into attack, and could have scored after 70 minutes when Adama Ba rounded Mali’s goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

    However, Molla Wague tackled to save the situation.

    But Mauritania did have their historic first-ever AFCON goal after 72 minutes.

    Ismail Diakhite was fouled inside the area and from the resulting penalty kick Al Ide scored to give “Mourabitoune” something to cheer about.

    But just two minutes later Mali added the fourth in grand style.

    Substitute Adama Traore sent a curling shot that went to the right corner to add a fourth for The Eagles.

    Mauritania tried hard to score again but the lively game ended with their first defeat, with Mali sending a threatening message to other teams in the group.

    NAN

     

  • UN peacekeeping: Nigerian soldier killed, three injured in attacks in Mali

    A Nigerian soldier was killed and several injured in two attacks on the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Mission in Mali, UN officials confirmed yesterday.

    Gunmen attacked the UN troops in Timbuktu in the North of the country, where several groups of militants are active, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

    The peacekeeper, who was killed, was a Nigerian, as were three of those injured.

    Three soldiers from Chad were injured in Tessalit in the northern Kidal region near the border with Algeria when their vehicle drove over an explosive device.

    Condemning the violence and expressing his condolences to the family of the killed soldier, Guterres said such attacks on UN soldiers could be considered war crimes under international law.

    Mali has experienced sporadic attacks by armed groups since a 2012 coup that helped separatist rebels and groups associated with al-Qaeda gain a foothold in the country’s restive North.

    A UN peacekeeping mission has been active in Mali since 2013.

    There have been repeated attacks on the mission in the North of the country by the militants, while ethnic conflicts in the centre flare up regularly.

  • Nigeria, 14 ECOWAS states to benefit from $8m forest protection project

    The Food Agricultural Organisation(FAO) announced on Tuesday that Nigeria and 14 other ECOWAS members are to benefit from an eight-million-dollar five-year forest protection project.

    The world body said that three agencies, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), FAO and ECOWAS had joined forces to protect West Africa’s forests to help safeguard the livelihoods of millions of people, depending on them.

    In a document reviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the organisation named Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ghana and other ECOWAS states as the beneficiaries of the planned support programme.

    It said the three institutions would carry out project, aimed at strengthening sustainable forest and land management.

    They would also address trans-boundary forest threats to maximise the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

    Tiina Vahanen, FAO’s Chief of Forestry Policy and Resources Division, said the project would be key to the rolling out of the ECOWAS-led Convergence Plan for the Sustainable Management and Use of Forest Ecosystems in West Africa.

    ”The ECOWAS-led Convergence Plan was adopted in 2013 by ECOWAS. It seeks to mobilise support to address trans-boundary forest issues across the 15-member states.

    He described the project as a concrete step towards improving the forest management in the region that would build on the momentum created in recent years to safeguard West Africa’s forests.

    Mr Ulla Andrén, Sida’s Head of Regional Development Cooperation in sub-Saharan Africa, said the project to be implemented by ECOWAS would be financed by Sida with over eight million dollars while the FAO would give technical support.

    He described the project as not only important for the people and governments of the region but also crucial for the global effort to stop climate change and loss of bio-diversity.

    Andrén expressed the pleasure of his organisation to be partners with ECOWAS and FAO on trans-boundary forest management in West Africa.

    Johnson Boanuh, ECOWAS Commission’s Environment Director, noted that West Africa’s forests and wetlands were an important source of livelihood for millions of people.

    Read Also: ECOWAS Bank to raise 25b francs in Q1

    He pointed out that about 72 million hectares were under treat.

    According to him, the forests and wetlands are also home to a wide range of vulnerable endemic animal species and more than 200 plant species.

    ”They are exceedingly affected by deforestation and degradation caused by various drivers, including unsustainable agricultural expansion and illegal logging.

    ”These are often exacerbated by trans-boundary issues such as trade between regions or within a region, which require strengthened forest governance and capacity at a regional level.

    ”The loss of forest cover in West Africa was four times higher between 1990 to 2015 than at the global level,’’ he said.

    ECOWAS Director said the project would develop a regional knowledge portal to improve access to data and share information on best forest management practices.

    ”It will also provide legal recommendations and guidelines on forest management, support community groups to implement sustainable forest and land management and build global capacity.

    ”The project will also support the implementation of other national and international commitments of West African countries, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals,’’ he said.

     

  • U-20 AFCON: Mali edges Nigeria on penalties to reach final

    The lottery of penalty shootout panned out in Mali’s favour as Aniekeme Okon blasted his effort against the crossbar and El Bilal Toure converted his kick to send the Malians into the final of the 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Niamey on Wednesday.

    Group A winners Nigeria started brightly, imposing their preferred short passing approach on the match and eventually finishing the regulation time with 63 per cent of the possession in their favour. But the penalties favoured Mali as Nigeria lost two kicks and the Junior Eagles of Mali lost one.

    The Flying Eagles wore black armbands in honour of former Secretary General and Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi who passed away on Monday, and the match started with a one –minute silence in honour of the departed football administrator as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) acknowledged the stature of the former Nigeria international defender.

    Nigeria’s romance with the crossbar started in the 3rd minute when Abubakar Ibrahim’s pullout hit the Malian crossbar. A minute later, Alhassan Adamu’s free-kick was tipped over and then, Jamil Muhammed’s teasing pull-out was headed over the bar by Yahaya Nazifi.

    In their determination to accomplish a second target of winning the championship trophy, after a first objective of earning a World Cup ticket was achieved with a place in the semi-finals, the Flying Eagles launched onslaught after onslaught and created opportunities but lacked that vicious marksman who takes no prisoners.

    Malian goalkeeper Youssouf Koita was also in good form, stopping shots and headers, most notably an incredible double save in the 43rd minute when the Nigerians thought they had beaten him.

    Mamadou Traore gifted Mali the opener in the 78th minute, lashing home from a swift counter-attack as goalkeeper Olawale Oremade went to the ground too early.

    Substitute Pascal Onyekachi restored parity, blasting home from a loose ball. There were no clear –cut opportunities in the extra time of 30 minutes.

    Lassana N’Diaye, Hadji Drame, Abdoulaye Diaby and El Bilal Toure made good from the spot for Mali, while Valentine Ozornwafor and Aniekeme Okon lost their kicks.

    Nigeria will take on the loser of the second semi-final between Senegal and South Africa in the match for third place on Saturday, while Mali clash with the winner in Sunday’s final.

  • UBA begins operation in Mali

    United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has commenced banking operations in Mali, extending its footprint and fulfilling the aspiration of deepening banking penetration in Africa.

    The launch of UBA Mali  brings to 20, the number of African countries, where the Group currently operates, with global operations in the United States, United Kingdom and France.

    The launch of the bank’s latest addition in Mali was occasioned by his Excellency, the President of the Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Aboubacar Keita who gave an unprecedented speech at the opening ceremony. ‘Tony promised it and he did it’, said the President, referring to UBA Group’s Chairman, Tony Elumelu on his promise made several years ago to bring UBA to Mali. The Malian president praised UBA Group for the vision to expand the bank’s footprint to Mali.

    He commended the tenacity and commitment of UBA and its Group Chairman to the development of the continent, calling African financial  institutions to follow the developmental philosophy of the bank and its chairman in   growing  infrastructure, deepening financial inclusion and being catalysts for eradicating poverty in Africa.

    In his response as he welcomed the  dignitaries and all stakeholders present at the launch,  Elumelu, asserted UBA’s sustainability principles and philosophy. “UBA is Africa’s global bank, a leading pan-African brand, committed to democratising banking on the continent. We are progressive partners for African corporates, institutions and governments whilst also helping to fulfill the financial aspirations of individual customers. Our train has finally arrived in Mali. We are here for mutual progress; we are here for shared prosperity”. Elumelu noted.

    Group Managing Director, UBA Plc, Kennedy Uzoka, expressed his enthusiasm on the Group’s operation in Mali, saying ‘We are in Mali to offer world class financial services that will surpass the expectations of our customers. I assure you that UBA is poised to deliver excellent services to the entire population of Mali’ he posited.

    CEO, UBA Mali, Alhassane Sissoko told customers that the Bank is  optimistic on the competitiveness of its  franchise in Mali with strong potentials for  accelerated market share gain over the near to medium term. He re-assured private and public sector players of good things to come. “The advent of UBA in Mali marks a turning point in the history of the Malian banking sector with new opportunities for businesses and individuals.

  • FCT Magistrate, Oniyangi, others emerge integrity idol winners

    The Magistrate of Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abdulmajid Oniyangi, has been named Nigeria’s second Integrity Idol winner.

    Mr. Oniyangi is joined by a journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria reporter, Mrs. Bukola Adewunmi to win the 2018 award.

    Other winners include: a State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Anambra state, Mr. Aremu Kehinde; an investigative journalist with Ebonyi State Newspaper Corporation, Mr. Benson Agwu and a Director of Supply Chain Operations at the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Abuja office, Bravo Otahabru.

    Country Director for Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said Mr. Oniyangi was voted winner after films of the Idols was put out on social media, TV and on radio where thousands of citizens across Nigeria voted for their favourite Idols through SMS and online.

    He said the Magistrate was honoured for his responsible, honest and accountable approach to the rule of law, following a nationwide campaign celebrating honest government officials.

    The statement reads: “Before a crowd of over 150 dignitaries in Abuja, consisting of high-level individuals, foreign ambassadors, public servants, civil society organization leaders, and citizens, Abdulmajid Oniyangi was named Nigeria’s second Integrity Idol winner.

    “Selected from nearly 300 nominees, a magistrate with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court, Abdulmajid’s dedication to serving citizens and carrying out his duties honestly has earned him the respect of his colleagues, superiors and most importantly – Nigerian citizens.

    “Abdulmajid Oniyangi is well-known for his fair and balanced approach to the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served quickly and without bias or prejudice.

    “He indicated that the award will go a long way in inspiring others to do the right thing in their daily lives.”

    Odeh added: “We saw incredible energy today from the young people of Nigeria who have truly shown that they support and want to celebrate honest leaders.

    “Let’s move away from “naming and shaming” and towards “naming and faming” those who uphold the Nigeria’s values of honesty, integrity and accountability.”

    Odeh explained that the Integrity Idol is a citizen-run movement to identify and celebrate upstanding government officials.

    He said it originated in Nepal in 2014, noting that the Integrity Idol has since evolved into a global movement in eight countries of Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mali, Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa and Mexico.

    “In each country, local Accountability Lab team runs a nationwide campaign to identify and encourage civil servants who demonstrate exemplary integrity in their work.

    “Officials are nominated and voted by the public at-large, with the annual campaign culminating in an award ceremony to celebrate the finalists.

    “The Lab works with the winners to push for integrity within government organizations,” he added.