|
Listen to article
|
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said he hoped Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger would rejoin the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc, in a recent interview.
The decision of the military juntas in the three countries to withdraw from ECOWAS was a setback, and the security situation has worsened since the departure of French troops from the Sahel region last year, Akufo-Addo admitted.
Read Also: President Macron Criticises Israel on Gaza, Lebanon operations
Months after the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced the formation of a Confederation of Sahel States following their withdrawal from ECOWAS, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said the decision was a setback for security in the region.
Akufo-Addo said it was obvious that the military rulers in the three countries had no intention of relinquishing power and ushering a return to democratic order.
The withdrawal of French troops from the Sahel last year had exacerbated the security situation in the Sahel, he said.
In Ghana, he hailed the agreement reached a few days ago with nearly all its creditors to restructure the country’s debt as a major achievement after years of economic crisis. And waved away criticism from the opposition that the electoral process was flawed and that his government was cracking down on protesters.
In other news, French President Emmanuel Macron has urged for a suspension of arms shipments to Israel intended for use in Gaza, leading to a strong reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He also criticised Netanyahu’s decision to send troops into ground operations in Lebanon.
“I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” Macron told French broadcaster France Inter.
“France is not delivering any,” he added during the interview, which was recorded Tuesday.
Macron reiterated his concern over the conflict in Gaza that is continuing despite repeated calls for a ceasefire.
