France 24
Niger’s new president blasts terrorists for war crimes
Niger’s new president Mohamed Bazoum lashed out on Friday at jihadists who have carried out devastating attacks on his country, accusing them of “war crimes” after he took the helm of the troubled nation. The inauguration marked the first-ever transition between elected presidents in Niger’s six decades of independence from France — a historic moment that has been widely praised. But the Sahel country’s problems were deeply underscored in the run-up to Friday’s ceremony, after a string of jihadist massacres and an alleged attempted coup just two days before the handover. Bazoum hit out at “terrorist groups whose barbarity has exceeded every limit.” These groups “carry out large-scale massacres of innocent civilians, and in doing so, commit real war crimes,” Bazoum declared. Niger is being ...
European Union backs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for WTO role
The European Union has endorsed former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Bloomberg reported. The business news outlet cited anonymous officials familiar with the matter that all the 27 EU member countries agreed on Monday in Brussels to support Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala. Bloomberg also reported that the United States has decided to back Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s trade minister, for the role. The position has been fiercely contested amongst candidates of different countries since Roberto Azevedo resigned in August. Last month, Okonjo-Iweala and Myung-hee were selected as the last two candidates in the contest. The EU’s endorsement is seen as a significant boost for Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy, with the final winner expected...
Mali junta plans ‘transitional president’
Rebel troops who have taken power in Mali said on Thursday “a transitional president” would be appointed from either civilian or military ranks. “We are going to set in place a transitional council, with a transitional president who is going to be either military or civilian,” Junta spokesman Ismael Wague told TV channel France 24. “We are in contact with civil society, opposition parties, the majority, everyone, to try to set the transition in place.” Wague said, “It is going to be a transition which will be the shortest possible. You’re not talking about 2023, 2022. (We have) to complete this transition as quickly as possible, and then we go back to doing something different. “I can’t tell you when we are going to hand over power to civilians, because the transition has first to be put i...
Victor Osimhen voted best African player in Ligue 1
Victor Osimhen has picked up the award for the best African Player in Ligue 1 for the year 2020. The award which is named after the late Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien-Foe is organised by Radio France International and France 24. Osimhen beat his international team-mate Moses Simon and eight other African star to the prestigious award. Algerian Islam Slimani (Monaco) and Morrocan Yunis Abdelhamid (Stade de Reims) came second and third respectively. Osimhen, who was also voted Lille player of the season scored 18 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions during the campaign. Six players from the club have won the award in the past. Ivory Coast forward Gervinho won it in 2010 and 2011, Vincent Enyeama picked up the prize in 2014, while Sofiane Boufal was th...
Victor Osimhen voted best African player in Ligue 1
Victor Osimhen has picked up the award for the best African Player in Ligue 1 for the year 2020. The award which is named after the late Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien-Foe is organised by Radio France International and France 24. Osimhen beat his international team-mate Moses Simon and eight other African star to the prestigious award. Algerian Islam Slimani (Monaco) and Morrocan Yunis Abdelhamid (Stade de Reims) came second and third respectively. Osimhen, who was also voted Lille player of the season scored 18 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions during the campaign. Six players from the club have won the award in the past. Ivory Coast forward Gervinho won it in 2010 and 2011, Vincent Enyeama picked up the prize in 2014, while Sofiane Boufal was th...
