Africa
ECOWAS Makes U-turn, Lifts Sanctions on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger Republic

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has resolved to lift some sanctions on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger Republic.
The resolution was taken at the extraordinary summit on the peace, political, and security situation in the ECOWAS sub-region in Abuja on Saturday.
While the regional bloc said the political and targeted sanctions on the Niger Republic remain, it lifted some financial and economic sanctions on Guinea and other sanctions on Mali.
Following the military coup in Niger Republic on July 26, 2023, which toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS imposed several sanctions on the country.
But reading the communique after the emergency summit of the West African bloc on Saturday, ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, reeled out some of the sanctions the Authority resolved to lift.
They include the closure of land and air borders between all ECOWAS countries and Niger Republic; no flight zone to all commercial flights to and from the Niger Republic, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger Republic and freezing of all service transactions including utility services.
Other sanctions on Niger lifted are the freezing of assets of Niger Republic in all ECOWAS Central banks; freezing of assets of Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks; suspension of Niger Republic from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions lifted and travel bans on the military officials and their families involved in the coup attempt.
Touray said that the decision by ECOWAS is based on humanitarian considerations especially “as we are in the month of Lent and as we prepare for the holy month of Ramadan”.
He noted that the authority also resolved to lift the sanctions regarding the recruitment of Malian citizens in statutory and professional positions within ECOWAS as well as lifting financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.
The ECOWAS President added that he has been instructed by the Commission to invite Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Guinea to attend the technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS as well as all security-related meetings.
ECOWAS directed all its institutions, member states, and other regional institutions to implement these decisions.
Africa
Mahama Nominates Youth Leader, John Opare Addo in New Ministerial List

President John Mahama has released another batch of ministerial nominees. National Democratic Congress Youth Organiser George Opare Addo has been selected to head the newly created Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment.
A statement from the presidency shows that more familiar names feature in the list, with Haruna Iddrisu nominated as the Education Minister-designate in his latest batch of nominations and Eric Opoku nominated as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
These nominees join the three non-regional ministerial picks already nominated and vetted. Ten regional minister picks were also previously nominated but have not been vetted.
Two of the nominees, Joseph Nelson for the Western Region Minister and Amelia Arthur, are from the Western Region, which has prompted some praise from the NDC in the region.
George Opare-Addo is a lawyer, local government official, business executive, and accomplished party organiser. His political activism and organisational skills earned him the position of National Youth Organizer of the NDC, a role he has held since 2018. He is also a former Municipal Chief Executive for the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly.
Africa
Mozambique Prison Break: 33 Persons Killed, 1500 Inmates Escape

A suspected riot inside a jail in Mozambique’s capital has left at least 33 people dead and 15 injured, while more than 1,500 prisoners escaped, authorities said.
Police General Commander, Bernardino Rafael, confirmed on Wednesday that 150 of the prisoners who fled the prison in Maputo have been recaptured.
Mozambique is experiencing escalating civil unrest linked to October’s disputed election, which extended long-ruling party Frelimo’s stay in power. Opposition groups and their supporters claim the vote was rigged.
While Rafael blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida told local private broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest was started inside the prison and had nothing to do with protests outside.
“The confrontations after that resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injured in the vicinity of the jail,” Rafael told a media briefing.
The identities of those killed and injured were unclear.
A report by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said the prisoners overpowered guards and seized AK-47 rifles, allowing them to escape the correctional facility.
Mozambican journalist, Clemente Carlos, told SABC that the escapees likely took advantage of the Christmas holiday season, when fewer guards were on duty compared with regular working days.
“This shocking incident raises urgent questions about the state of security and the justice system in Mozambique,” Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, wrote on X on Wednesday.
“Now, more than ever, it is critical for authorities, civil society, and international partners to collaborate to ensure public safety and address the systemic challenges that led to this situation.”
Meanwhile, at least 21 people, including two police officers, were confirmed dead during two days of violence over election results on Monday and Tuesday, including attacks on petrol stations, police stations, and banks.
The fatalities brought the death toll in the country to 151 since October 21, according to Plataforma Decide, an election monitoring group.
Al Jazeera
Africa
Glo Chairman, Mike Adenuga, Congratulates Mahama on Reelection

By Eric Elezuo
The Chairman, Globacom Group, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., has sent a congratulatory message to Ghana’s President-elect, Dr John Mahama, on his victory at the polls to become the next president of Ghana.
Dr. Adenuga, a recipient of the highest honour in Ghana, and second highest honour in Nigeria (GCON), extended his congratulations via a statement he personally signed, and made available to The Boss.
He reflected on the joy and celebration that filled the streets of Ghana at the announcement, saying it is a testament of the “deep love and admiration your people hold for you, as well as the lasting impact of your remarkable legacy as a former President.”
Read the full statement:
DR MIKE ADENUGA JR.CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT MAHAMA*
My Dearest Brother,
On behalf of my family and myself, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your resounding victory in the December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana.
The joy and celebration filling the streets of Ghana reflect the deep love and admiration your people hold for you, as well as the lasting impact of your remarkable legacy as a former President.
I will always cherish the unwavering support you extended to investors in Ghana, as well as the profound honor of receiving the highest Ghanaian National Honor from you in 2016.
May this second chapter of your leadership be even more successful and transformative.
God bless Ghana.
With warmest regards,
Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr.
(GCON, CSG, CdrLH)
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