Via: Africanews

“Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau on Thursday announced a new junta leader for the country, cementing a forceful takeover of power that began after the country’s presidential election.

The military high command inaugurated Gen. Horta Inta-A as the head of the military government, which will oversee a one-year transition period, according to declaration announced on state television.

“The inability of political actors to stem the deterioration of the political climate ultimately prompted the intervention of the armed forces,” said Inta-A, who was the army chief of staff until the coup and a close ally of deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Embaló’s whereabouts remained unknown Thursday. He told French media Wednesday that he was arrested by soldiers as gunshots rang out near the presidential palace.

The opposition, meanwhile, alleged Embaló had fabricated the coup to avoid an election defeat in Sunday’s closely contested presidential vote.

The military takeover and the reported arrest of Embaló was “fabricated” to disrupt election results expected Thursday, according to his rival Fernando Dias, who, like Embalo, claimed to have won the vote.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims by Dias, a member of the Social Renewal Party.

The opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde and Dias had called on residents to stage protests against the coup and demand publication of the election results. But on Thursday morning, activities appeared to be normal in the capital Bissau, with businesses and public transport gradually picking up.

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Via: Sputnik

“US Boycott of Johannesburg G20 Signifies ‘Fear of Loss of Influence’: Political Scientist

Washington is attempting to exert “geopolitical pressure” on South Africa by snubbing the first G20 summit on African soil, Djibril Gningue, director of the peace and security research unit of GRADEC (a research group on participatory democracy and good governance), told Sputnik Africa.

“This is due to Pretoria’s decision to file a complaint against Israel before the ICC. The other reason is the fact that South Africa is an influential member of the BRICS. The United States is boycotting for deterrent purposes,” he noted.

The West panics as soon as Africa dares to “assert its sovereignty and its desire to diversify its relations,” the speaker added.

To have influence on the international stage, the continent must:

🟠focus on political unity;

🟠have a voice at the UNSC;

🟠gain influence over global financial governance.”

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Via:AA

“In a statement, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserts that “this measure aims to protect French citizens from current security risks.” No specific incidents were mentioned, but the overall situation remains fragile, particularly in certain regions of the country.

French authorities are urging citizens in Mali to remain vigilant, avoid all non-essential travel, and follow local security instructions. They also recommend registering on the Ariane platform, which provides real-time alerts and information.

According to the statement, this decision comes in a context where several Western countries are closely monitoring the security situation in Mali, which faces persistent challenges related to terrorism and intercommunal violence.

“French nationals in Mali are therefore urged to take all necessary precautions and consider a temporary departure until the situation improves,” the statement continued, adding that “France continues to closely monitor the security situation in the country and will communicate any new recommendations if necessary.”

This decision by France comes a few days after several other embassies asked their nationals to leave Mali.

The US, German, and Australian embassies in Bamako have all urged their citizens currently in Mali to leave the country without delay, preferably by commercial flight.”

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