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Junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger To Launch Common Passport

Published

5 months ago

January 24, 2025

Junta-led allies Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on Thursday announced that their own common passport will come into effect from January 29, the date of their departure from regional bloc ECOWAS.

After overthrowing civilian governments between 2020 and 2023, the military leaders in the three west African countries have teamed up to form the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).

On January 28 last year, the trio announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, which they accused of being subservient to former colonial ruler France and failing to support them in their fight against jihadist violence.

They said their departure was immediate, but under the bloc’s rules, their withdrawal takes effect a year after the announcement.

The president of the AES “informs confederal and international opinion that the AES passports will be put into circulation from January 29”, said current head and Malian junta chief, General Assimi Goita, in a statement read out on state television.

“However, the old passports remain valid until their expiry date,” the statement added, referring to ECOWAS passports.

The three countries will also join forces to create a 5,000-strong unit to fight the jihadist violence that has for years plagued the nations, officials said earlier this week.

Since seizing power, the three juntas in the volatile Sahel region have cut ties with France, turning politically and militarily towards Russia and other partners.

“Citizens of the AES confederation who hold old passports bearing the ECOWAS logo may have them replaced by new AES passports,” the statement said.

Headline

Putin Says Will Speak With Trump On Phone Today

Published

10 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would speak with US counterpart Donald Trump on the phone Thursday, their first publicly announced call in over two weeks.

The two have been in regular contact since Trump took office in January and have discussed issues like the Ukraine conflict and economic cooperation.

Putin did not say what the two would discuss in Thursday’s call.

“I will talk to the US president today,” the Russian leader told the media during a visit to an exhibition centre in Moscow.

Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, saying it would start at 10.00am (1400 GMT).

The two leaders have praised each other in recent weeks, despite Moscow’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.

Putin said last week that he had “great respect” for Trump and that US ties were improving. Trump said Putin’s statements were “very nice”.

AFP

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NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned users of bleaching creams to refrain from using products containing excessive hydroquinone to safeguard their health.

NAFDAC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr Hamis Yahaya, advised in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and age spots.

Yahaya said that the approved quantity of the chemical substance in cosmetics was only two per cent.

According to him, NAFDAC conducts checks on market products to ensure public health and safety.

“The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content.

“Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong.

“Hydroquinone affects the health of the users gradually, including causing cancer,” he said.

Yahaya urged the media to raise awareness about the dangers of cosmetics that could endanger consumer lives.

Headline

AU Helicopter Crashes In Somali Capital – State Media

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An African Union helicopter crashed Wednesday at the airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu with eight people onboard, state media said.

The aircraft was part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), tasked with fighting the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The state media agency Sonna said the AUSSOM helicopter, carrying eight people, “crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle”.

“The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation,” it said in a post on X.

Sonna quoted the country’s civil aviation authorities as saying that “flight operations remain normal”.

There were no further details given, but unverified clips and images shared online showed a plume of black smoke over the city.

The AUSSOM mission faces funding difficulties, even as fears of an Al-Shabaab resurgence are stoked by attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.