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UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nine members of the United Nations Security Council condemned “indiscriminate” airstrikes by Myanmar's military against civilians before an envoy briefed the council Monday as part of regional efforts to implement a peace plan that has so far been largely ineffective. Before the council meeting, nine of the 15 council members stood before reporters to support a statement read by Britain’s U.N. The United States pushed for an enforceable Security Council resolution to prevent Myanmar from getting jet fuel, the council diplomat said. According to the council diplomat, China, which has close ties to Myanmar, emphasized the need to give ASEAN's efforts time and space. Russia, which also has links to Myanmar, reiterated that the council shouldn’t be interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

Persons: Alounkeo Kittikhoun, —, Kittikhoun, Britain’s U.N, Barbara Woodward, Myanmar’s, Aung, Suu Kyi, United States —, Saleumxay Kommasith, Win Myint, U.N, Kyaw Moe Tun, Suu Kyi’s Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, United Nations Security Council, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Lao, Arakan Army, Bangladesh, Myanmar’s Border Guard Police, Democratic, Amnesty Locations: Myanmar, ASEAN, Laos, Suu, China, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Thailand, Rakhine, Bangladesh, Arakan, U.S, Union, Vietnam, Russia

☆ Thai court orders election-winning party to end its royal reform campaign in blow to voters who backed change
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“This would effectively mean that the lese majeste law would become untouchable,” said Munin Pongsapan, associate professor at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law. Sentences for those convicted under lese majeste can be decades long and hundreds of people have been prosecuted in recent years. Anyone – including ordinary citizens – can bring lese majeste charges on behalf of the king, even if they are not directly involved with the case. Protesters demanding royal reform wanted to abolish the lese majeste law, and to ensure the king is answerable to the constitution, with protesters scrutinizing Vajiralongkorn’s immense wealth and power. Move Forward’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, came out of nowhere to win the third most seats in the 2019 election.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, lese, ”, Munin Pongsapan, “, Munin, Parit Wacharasindhu, Stringer, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, ’, Thitinan, ” Thitinan, lese majeste, Thais, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Anusak, turfing, Pita, Wednesday’s Organizations: Thailand CNN, Wednesday, Party, University’s, of Law, CNN, Anadolu Agency, Chulalongkorn University, Forward Party, Legal, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Lawmakers Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai

CNN —Almost three years on from its bloody coup, Myanmar’s military junta is facing the biggest threat to its hold on power as it fights wars on multiple fronts across the Southeast Asian nation. Junta airstrikes and ground attacks on what the Myanmar military calls “terrorist” targets have killed thousands of civilians to date, including children, and displaced about 2 million people. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImagesCNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military spokesperson for comment on the recent fighting but has not received a response. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImgesIn the jungles of southeast Kayah state, fighting has raged near the state capital Loikaw. Video filmed and published by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force appears to show Myanmar army soldiers surrendering to rebels at Loikaw University who are filmed treating their injuries.

Persons: ”, Matthew Arnold, ” Arnold, Min Aung, Aung, Suu Kyi, “, Bo Nagar, Stringer, Myint Swe, Chin Shwe Haw, Nan Diya, Lalmalsawma Hnamte, Lin Lin, Ye Myo Hein, May, – “, Karen, Chin state’s Matupi, Tian Junli, Arnold, Myanmar’s, it’s, Suu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, National Unity Government, Junta, Myanmar, UN, Administration Council, Burma National Revolutionary Army, National Liberation Army, Alliance, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army, ”, Getty, Reuters, Loikaw, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, Loikaw University, Resistance, Burma People’s Liberation Army, Brotherhood Alliance, United States Institute of Peace, Wilson Center, Border Guard Forces, China, Global Times, PLA Southern Theater Command Locations: Myanmar, Myanmar’s, Suu, Yangon, Mandalay, Burma, Namhsan Township, Shan State, AFP, Arakan, China, ”, Shan, Chin, Muse, Rakhine, Pauktaw, Lashio, Kayah, Mizoram, “, Sagaing region, Asia, Kawkareik, Karenni, Sagaing, India, Thailand, Bangladesh

☆ Crypto scam: Inside the billion-dollar ‘pig-butchering’ industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Reuters Graphic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Of that, at least $9.1 million came from a crypto wallet that U.S. blockchain analysis firm TRM Labs said was linked to pig-butchering scams. Neither did the Thai government, the Thai police or the Bangkok-based trade group Wang represented, the Thai-Asia Economic Exchange Trade Association. The crypto account registered to Wang was held at Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, according to three blockchain analysis firms. In April, the U.S. Department of Justice said it seized about $112 million worth of crypto linked to pig-butchering scams, without identifying suspects. The crypto account in Wang’s name was registered in November 2020, according to the financial records Reuters reviewed.

Persons: Wang Yicheng, Wang, Emma, Lisa Wolk, Erin West, Jessica Jung, West, “ I’ve, Jeremy Douglas, Binance, Bitmain, ” Organizations: Thai, Reuters, TRM Labs, Asia Economic Exchange Trade Association, U.S . Federal Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, FBI, Secret, Global, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S . Treasury, United Nations Office, Drugs, Workers, KK Park, Commerce Company, Cultural Exchange Center, Overseas, United, Washington, Cultural Exchange Locations: California, Bangkok, Thai, Asia, Southeast Asia, U.S, Binance, United States, Thailand, China, Myanmar, KK, Ningbo, China’s, Xiamen

[1/3] Juan Manuel Cepernic and his father Marcelo pose for a photo at Marcelo's home, in Rio Gallegos, Argentina, November 14, 2023. The Cepernics remain a Peronist family, three generations of the clan told Reuters, but their support for the movement has faltered. "Maybe a few will vote for Peronism," she said from her home in the province of Santa Cruz. Jorge's son Marcelo ran as the Peronist candidate for city mayor of Rio Gallegos that year and won, serving until 1987. Reporting by Lucinda Elliott in Buenos Aires and Horacio Cordoba in Rio Gallegos; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Juan Manuel Cepernic, Marcelo, Horacio Cordoba, Rights RIO, Catalina Cepernic's, Jorge, Juan Domingo Peron, Catalina, Peronism, Peron, Peron's, Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, I'm, Marcela Cepernic, Catalina's, Massa, Marcela, he's, Rio Gallegos, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Nestor Kirchner, Juan Manuel, I'd, PERONISM, Jorge Cepernic, grandpa, Jorge's, Milei's, Victoria Villarruel, Lucinda Elliott, Adam Jourdan, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Peronist, Reuters, Economy, Peronism, Milei, Santa Cruz, Rio, Massa, Rio Gallegos, Thomson Locations: Rio Gallegos, Argentina, Argentina's, Patagonia, South America, Santa Cruz, Sunday's, Peronist, El Chalten, Santa Cruz province, Rio, Peronism, Buenos Aires

☆ In Argentina, Three Generations of a Peronist Family Weigh Their Vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +7 min

The Cepernics remain a Peronist family, three generations of the clan told Reuters, but their support for the movement has faltered. "Maybe a few will vote for Peronism," she said from her home in the province of Santa Cruz. "I grew up in a Peronist family, and I'm planning to vote blank," Marcela, a retired school teacher, said from the ice cream parlor she now runs in El Chalten, a village in Santa Cruz province. He preferred not to disclose his planned vote, although he added, "I'd never vote for Milei in my life." When democracy was restored in 1983, everyone in the family supported the Peronist movement.

Persons: Lucinda Elliott, Horacio Cordoba RIO, Catalina Cepernic's, Jorge, Juan Domingo Peron, Catalina, Peronism, Peron, Peron's, Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, I'm, Marcela Cepernic, Catalina's, Massa, Marcela, he's, Juan Manuel Cepernic, Rio Gallegos, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Nestor Kirchner, Juan Manuel, I'd, PERONISM, Jorge Cepernic, grandpa, Jorge's, Marcelo, Milei's, Victoria Villarruel, Horacio Cordoba, Adam Jourdan, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Horacio Cordoba RIO GALLEGOS, Peronist, Reuters, Economy, Peronism, Milei, Santa Cruz, Rio, Massa, Rio Gallegos Locations: Argentina, Argentina's, Patagonia, South America, Santa Cruz, Sunday's, Peronist, El Chalten, Santa Cruz province, Rio, Peronism, Buenos Aires

☆ With drones and dawn assault, Myanmar's Chin rebels open new front
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The ethnic Chin fighters said they used drones to drop bombs on the military bases, and junta soldiers fought back - especially fiercely at Khawmawi - occasionally firing mortars. At least nine Chin fighters were killed in the assault, along with six junta soldiers, two Chin rebels said, asking not to be named. Suan and Lawma's account of the battle, which was corroborated by a rebel commander and six residents who witnessed some of the fighting, provides a rare ground-level insight into a widening assault against Myanmar's military junta. After the two military camps were overrun, 43 junta soldiers crossed over to India seeking shelter and most were subsequently flown back to Myanmar. On the other side stood armed Chin rebels, under a billowing Chin flag.

Persons: Suan, Chin, Min Tun, Sui Khar, Zaw Min Tun, Krishn Kaushik, Devjyot, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Arakan Army, Brotherhood Alliance, Chin, Thomson Locations: Khawmawi, India, Myanmar, Zokhawthar, Champhai district, India's, Mizoram, Chin State, Rihkhawdar, India's Champhai, Shan State, Myanmar's, China, Rakhine State, Kayah State, Thailand

☆ Myanmar junta attacked on new fronts, thousands flee to India
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Myanmar's military junta is facing its biggest test since taking power in a 2021 coup after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive in late October, capturing some towns and military posts. "We have conquered some posts and fighting is continuing in some other places," he said. Fighting also broke out in Chin State, which borders India, when insurgents attacked two military camps, according to an Indian official and two sources with knowledge of the assault. About 5,000 people from Myanmar crossed into India's Mizoram state to seek shelter from the fighting, said James Lalrinchhana, the deputy commissioner of a district on the Myanmar border. A spokesperson for Myanmar's junta did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the latest fighting.

Persons: Khine Thu, Rathedaung, James Lalrinchhana, Richard Horsey, Martin Petty, Devjyot, Robert Birsel Organizations: Myanmar, Arakan Army, Reuters Staff, Chanchinmawia, Thomson Locations: Rakhine, Chin, India, Myanmar, France, Rakhine State, Chin State, India's Mizoram, Shan State, China, Sagaing, Kayah State, MIZORAM

Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, 2021, presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. "This is the weakest the Tatmadaw has been since the coup," the diplomat said, referring to Myanmar's military and asking not to be named. Maung Saungkha, leader of the Bamar People's Liberation Army, which contributed troops to the offensive, told Reuters the rebel alliance had spent more than a year preparing to take on the better-armed military. CHINA'S SHADOWSo far, rebel troops have faced unexpectedly weak opposition from the military, according to analysts and resistance leaders who spoke to local media. In a statement announcing the operation, the alliance said they intended to remove those enclaves, which they said were protected by the junta.

Persons: General Min Aung Hlaing, Stringer, Maung Saungkha, Nobel, Aung, Suu Kyi, Min Aung, Richard Horsey, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Armed Forces, REUTERS, Junta, United States Institute of Peace, United Nations, Liberation Army, Reuters, National Unity Government, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, Crisis, Thomson Locations: Naypyitaw, Myanmar, BANGKOK, China, Myanmar's, Shan, Beijing, Suu, Sagaing, Arakan

☆ Armed men spring Guinea’s ex-junta leader Camara out of prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The former head of Guinea’s 2008 military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara, was sprung from prison by heavily armed men in Conakry in the early hours of Saturday along with three other high-ranking officers, Justice Minister Charles Wright said. ET) that heavily armed men burst into the Central House of Conakry. They managed to leave with four defendants in the trial of the events of Sept. 28 including Captain Moussa Dadis Camara,” the minister said on the radio. Residents near Kaloum said shots were first heard around 04:00 a.m. local time (12:00 a.m. Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Gabon are also run by military officers.

Persons: Moussa Dadis Camara, Charles Wright, Camara, ”, Mmah Camara, Mamady Doumbouya Organizations: CNN, Local, Reuters, Central Locations: Conakry, Guinean, Kaloum, Tombo, Guinea, West, Central Africa, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon

☆ Armed men spring Guinea's ex-junta leader Camara out of prison - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Saliou Samb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - The former head of Guinea's 2008 military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara, was sprung from prison by heavily armed men in Conakry in the early hours of Saturday along with three other high-ranking officers, Justice Minister Charles Wright said. "It was around 0500 (0500 GMT) that heavily armed men burst into the Central House of Conakry. They managed to leave with four defendants in the trial of the events of Sept. 28 including Captain Moussa Dadis Camara," the minister said on the radio. Residents near Kaloum said shots were first heard around 4 a.m. local time after which security was tightened on the streets and the entrance to Kaloum was blocked. writing by Alessandra Prentice; editing by Jason Neely, Alexandra Hudson and Giles ElgoodOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Moussa Dadis Camara, Charles Wright, Camara, Mmah Camara, Mamady Doumbouya, Alessandra Prentice, Jason Neely, Alexandra Hudson, Giles Elgood Organizations: Local, Reuters, Central, Thomson Locations: Conakry, Guinean, Kaloum, Tombo, Guinea, West, Central Africa, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon

☆ Guinea ex-junta leader sprung from jail - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsGuinea ex-junta leader sprung from jail - ministerPostedHeavily armed men have sprung the former head of Guinea's 2008 military junta, Moussa Dadis Camara, from jail in Conakry, according to Justice Minister Charles Wright. Lucy Fielder has more.

Persons: Moussa Dadis Camara, Charles Wright, Lucy Fielder Locations: Guinea, Conakry

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Fifteen U.N. peacekeepers in a convoy withdrawing from a rebel stronghold in northern Mali were injured when vehicles hit improvised explosive devices on two occasions this week, the United Nations said Friday. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said eight peacekeepers injured Wednesday were evacuated by air and “are now reported to be in stable condition.”He said seven peacekeepers injured by an IED early Friday also were evacuated by air. JNIM, an extremist group with links to al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the earlier attacks, in which at least two peacekeepers were injured. An employee with MINUSMA earlier told The Associated Press that the peacekeepers left Kidal in convoys after Mali’s junta refused to authorize flights to repatriate U.N. equipment and civilian personnel. That deal was signed after Tuareg rebels drove security forces out of northern Mali in 2012 as they sought to create an independent state they call Azawad.

Persons: U.N, Stephane Dujarric, ”, Dujarric, Gao, António Guterres, MINUSMA, “ Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, . Security, Associated Press, Analysts Locations: Mali, Kidal, Gao, Niger

An armored vehicle escorting a MINUSMA logistic convoy from Gao to Kidal, is parked as trucks pass by, Mali February 16, 2017. Shortly after the last U.N. convoy rolled out, the ethnic Tuareg rebels announced they had taken over the base. The Tuareg rebels signed a 2015 peace agreement brokered by MINUSMA but maintained control of much of the north from Kidal. The first sign of trouble came in early August, when fighting broke out between Mali's army and Tuareg rebels around the U.N.'s camp in Ber in the north. As in Kidal, peacekeepers destroyed equipment before leaving that could have been transported in trucks earlier, if the government had allowed.

Persons: MINUSMA, Sylvain Liechti, jeopardising U.N, couldn't, Fatoumata Sinkoun Kaba, Yvan Guichaoua, Edward McAllister, David Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Mahamat, Alexandra Zavis, Daniel Flynn Organizations: UN, DAKAR, United Nations, U.N, Reuters, Authorities, Security, Islamic State, Department of Peace Operations, Department of Operational, Wagner Group, MINUSMA, University of Kent's Brussels School of International Studies, Thomson Locations: Gao, Mali, Kidal, West Africa, Malian, al Qaeda, Algeria, Mauritania, Ber, Tessalit, Algerian, Bamako, Dakar, Nairobi, New York, N'Djamena

☆ Mali rebels say they have taken base vacated by UN peacekeepers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The UN mission, known as MINUSMA, has until Dec. 31 to pack up after Mali’s military junta ordered it to leave in June. Its withdrawal from other bases has already prompted fighting between Mali’s army and the rebels, who are vying for control of areas vacated by the peacekeepers. Kidal is the eighth MINUSMA base to close in central and northern Mali and is one of the most important. It lies in a zone historically controlled by the rebels that Mali’s junta wants to take back. Mali’s military authorities have expressed concern that the UN has left bases without handing them over to the army.

Persons: MINUSMA Organizations: Reuters, United Nations, UN, Peace, Security, Development, ”, Islamic Locations: Mali, Kidal, West, al Qaeda, Islamic State

☆ Niger junta says it has blocked President Bazoum's escape bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Niger’s military government said Thursday it foiled a late-night escape attempt by deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to flee to neighboring Nigeria after being held in custody for nearly three months following his ouster in a coup. The deposed Nigerien leader – who has yet to resign as president– had been placed under house arrest since the military junta overthrew him on July 27. Later that month, the junta said it had “gathered the necessary evidence” to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason.”The junta has held on to power despite pressure from Niger’s Western and regional allies. Last week, the US said it was putting a hold on its assistance programs to Niger, including funding while formally declaring Bazoum’s ouster as a coup. The military rulers said they ovethrew Bazoum because of the country’s security problems and struggling economy.

Persons: CNN —, Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, they’ll, ”, –, Bazoum’s Organizations: CNN, Nigerien Locations: Nigeria, Niger’s, Niamey, ”, Niger

It comes amid criticism that the lending institutions are not taking climate change and the vulnerabilities of poor countries enough into account in their funding decisions. Dysfunctional because the system as a whole is too slow to respond to new challenges, such as climate change. Lee pointed to an IMF program that launched last year to help poor countries address problems like climate change. “The national policy to address climate change is lax — little or no focus is on climate change and the nexus between climate change and conflict in the Sahel is underappreciated,” Hassan said. “Go beyond the conflict itself to start prioritizing climate change as the root cause of the problem affecting these countries."

Persons: ”, William Ruto, Akinwumi Adesina, Moussa Faki, Patrick Verkooijen, Daniel Lee, Lee, Rwanda —, Carlos Lopes, It’s, Idayat Hassan, Ibrahim Audi, Femi, Lopes, ” Hassan, “, ” Mimiko, — Organizations: Global, International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, New York Times, Kenyan, African Development Bank, African Union, IMF, Mandela School of Public, University of Cape, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Africa Climate Summit, International Rescue Committee, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Africa, Africa's Sahel, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, Marrakech, Morocco, Rwanda, University of Cape Town , South Africa, Nigeria's, Katsina, Kenya

☆ Brazil's Gilberto Gil pays tribute to London, his home in exile, in joyous show
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Angus Macswan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

That's why I came to London," he told the audience at the Royal Albert Hall. He introduced "Ladeira da Preguica" saying: "This a a song I wrote in London while I was missing my homeland." The military junta deemed them subversive and arrested them, detaining them for nine months before forcing them to choose exile or jail. Veloso was miserable but Gil, settling in Notting Hill Gate, immersed himself in London life. "I used to eat Jamaican food at the Mangrove," Gil told the audience, referring to a famed cafe in Notting Hill Gate.

Persons: Gilberto Gil, Gil, Caetano Veloso, Veloso, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Bob Marley's, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Toda, Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson Organizations: London, Royal Albert Hall, Thomson Locations: London, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Notting Hill, Glastonbury, Rio de Janeiro

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Tuesday formally declared the ousting of Niger's democratically-elected president a coup d'etat, more than two months after mutinous soldiers seized power. The coup designation comes with the suspension of counterterrorism assistance and military training as well as the pausing of certain foreign assistance programs worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Under U.S. law, a formal determination of a coup — the unconstitutional overthrow of a democratically elected government — typically results in a suspension of all non-humanitarian assistance, particularly military aid and cooperation, to the country concerned. The bases are a critical part of America’s overall efforts in West Africa and Niger, hosting more than 1,000 troops in the country. While a sizeable footprint remains in the country, those troops are not conducting either partnered training or counterterrorism missions, administration officials said, raising questions as to why they were staying.

Persons: Niger's, it’s, we’ve, they've, ”, Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon, Mohamed Bazoum who’s, Bazoum, —, Biden, Peter Pham, ___ Mednick Organizations: WASHINGTON, National Council for, U.S, Islamic, Atlantic Council Locations: United States, U.S, West African, Ambassador, Niger, Sahel, Burkina Faso, Mali, West Africa, Niamey, Agadez, West Africa’s, Cotonou, Benin

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on Monday ahead of an expected decision by the Biden administration to formally declare that his overthrow was a coup d’etat. “The United States calls for the immediate release of all those unjustly detained following the military takeover,” the department said. The administration had been delaying a coup decision because Niger plays a critical role in U.S. counterterrorism activity in Africa's Sahel region. The officials could not say if the expected coup determination would result in the withdrawal of any U.S. personnel from Niger. The U.S., France and other European countries had poured hundreds of millions of dollars into shoring up the Nigerien military.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Mohamed Bazoum, Biden, Blinken, Blinken “, Blinken's, —, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, The State Department, State Department, Pentagon, Islamic, Nigerien Locations: Niger, United States, Sahel, The U.S, France

☆ France to begin troop withdrawal from Niger this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Mahamadou Hamidou Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) - France will begin withdrawing its troops from coup-hit Niger this week after President Emmanuel Macron said last month he refused to be "held hostage" by the putchists and was ending military cooperation with the West African country. The decision to pull 1,500 troops from Niger leaves a gaping hole in Western efforts to counter a decade-long Islamist insurgency. In a statement on Thursday, the French Armed Forces Ministry said the troops would return to France and that the military exit should be complete by the end of the year. Niger was the West's last key ally in the central Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert until a July 26 coup brought in a military junta which called for France to leave. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Nicolas Delame; Editing by Richard Lough and Gareth JonesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mahamadou, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Nicolas Delame, Richard Lough, Gareth Jones Organizations: French Army, REUTERS, Rights, West, French Armed Forces Ministry, Thomson Locations: France, Nigerien, Niamey, Niger, Russia

☆ Burkina Faso: Four officers arrested after thwarted coup attempt, prosecutor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Martin Goillandeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Four army officers were arrested in Burkina Faso, a military prosecutor said, a day after the country’s ruling military junta announced it had thwarted a coup attempt. Two other officers were “on the run,” according to a statement from the public prosecutor’s office at the military court in Ouagadougou, the capital city. Burkina Faso’s military junta said in an earlier statement that intelligence and security services had foiled a “proven coup attempt” on Wednesday. “A number of officers and other alleged actors involved in this destabilization attempt have been arrested, while others are being actively sought,” the statement said. Earlier this month, Burkina Faso’s military leaders signed a mutual defense pact with the juntas in Mali and Niger.

Persons: Captain Ibrahim Traore, “, ”, Traore Organizations: CNN, Junta Locations: Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina, West African, Mali, Niger, Sahel

But in an about turn, Macron announced on Sunday that the ambassador would return to Paris and French troops would leave. Two security sources in Niger said Itte had flown out of the country. Demonstrators hold placards and Niger's flags as they gather outside Niger's embassy in support of the President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum in Paris, France, August 5, 2023. Crowds of junta supporters have spent days camping outside a French military base to demand the troops' departure. Some analysts have expressed concern that the withdrawal of French troops from Niger could further hamper Western efforts to stem the violence, which has risen since the coups, and bolster Russian influence in the region.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Sylvain Itte, Mohamed Bazoum, Macron, Itte, Catherine Colonna, Yucouba Abdou, Abdou, Niger Mohamed Bazoum, Stephanie Lecocq, Paris, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Moussa Aksar, Michel Rose, John Irish, Sofia Christensen, Anait, Toby Chopra, Estelle Shirbon, Philippa Fletcher, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Niger, Quai, French, Nigerien, Reuters, REUTERS, France, Thomson Locations: Niger French, NIAMEY, Niger, Paris, France, Niamey, French, N'Djamena, Niger's, West Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sahel

☆ Burkina Faso junta says it thwarted coup attempt
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A man holds his national flag as people gather to show their support to the Junta leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador at the Place de la Nation in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Vincent Bado/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDAKAR, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's military junta said on Wednesday that a coup attempt had been thwarted the previous day by security and intelligence services, without providing specifics on what had happened. In a statement, it said it had on Wednesday opened an investigation based on "credible allegations about a plot against state security implicating officers." The junta on Monday suspended French news magazine Jeune Afrique for publishing "untruthful" articles that reported tension and discontent within Burkina Faso's armed forces. Over 50 Burkinabe soldiers and volunteer fighters were killed in clashes with militants in early September - the heaviest losses in months.

Persons: Ibrahim Traore, Vincent Bado, Alessandra Prentice, Chris Reese, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Burkina Faso's, Jeune Afrique, Islamic, Reuters, Thomson Locations: French, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Burkina, Republic, al Qaeda, Islamic State, West Africa's

☆ Niger coup: French ambassador returns to Paris
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Chris Liakos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Paris CNN —The French ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, has returned to Paris, the French Foreign Ministry told CNN on Wednesday. “Our ambassador to Niger returned to Paris today, as decided by the President of the Republic on Sunday,” the ministry said. After their July coup, the Niger military junta ordered Itte to leave the country, and later revoked his visa. The ambassador remained in place following instructions from the French government, with French authorities saying that they do not recognize the junta’s authority. Around 1,500 French troops are stationed in Niger, many of whom are there to assist with counterterrorism missions.

Persons: Sylvain Itte, “, Catherine Colonna, Emmanuel Macron, Itte, Macron Organizations: Paris CNN, French Foreign Ministry, CNN, Republic, French Locations: Niger, Paris, France, Niamey, West

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