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August 21, 2023 ECOWAS Rejects Niger Junta’s Three-Year Transition Plan

ECOWAS Rejects Niger Junta’s Three-Year Transition Plan

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has firmly declined the military junta's proposed three-year power transition strategy.

Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, conveyed this decision during an interview with the BBC.

In a late-night announcement on Saturday, Abdourahmane Tchiani, the self-declared leader of the Niger Republic, declared that the nation would transition back to civilian governance within three years.

However, no specific details regarding the plan were provided. Tchiani mentioned that the foundational principles of this transition period would be established within the next 30 days through a dialogue facilitated by the junta.

This declaration followed a meeting between the junta leader and a delegation from ECOWAS, led by Nigeria's former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

In response to Tchiani's proposed timeline, ECOWAS Commissioner Musah asserted that the organisation would no longer accept extended regional transition periods. This firm stance highlights ECOWAS's commitment to ensuring timely and effective transitions in governance within the West African region.

August 21, 2023 Pre-Inauguration Shuffle: Tinubu Reassigns Oyetola, Tunji-Ojo, Momoh, And More

Pre-Inauguration Shuffle: Tinubu Reassigns Oyetola, Tunji-Ojo, Momoh, And More

In a significant move ahead of the inauguration, President Bola Tinubu has given his nod to a series of ministerial redeployments and renamed a key ministry.

The Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management has been officially rebranded as the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Former Governor of Osun State and Minister-designate Adegboyega Oyetola has witnessed a notable redeployment, shifting from his prior role in the Ministry of Transportation to taking on a new role in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

According to a statement released by the President's spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, Minister-designate Bunmi Tunji-Ojo has been reassigned to the Ministry of Interior. Simultaneously, Sa’idu Alkali, another minister-designate, has taken on the responsibilities of the Ministry of Transportation.

Another significant change involves the redeployment of minister-designate Abubakar Momoh from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

This move has garnered attention, especially since the Niger Delta ministry had been conspicuously absent from the previous list of appointments, sparking various reactions. Notably, the Federal Ministry of Youth is yet to be allocated to a Minister-Designate soon.

Moreover, notable shifts have occurred in the Oil & Gas sector, where both Ministers of State have been integrated into the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Heineken Lokpobiri is now the Minister of State (Oil), and Ekperipe Ekpo holds the Minister of State (Gas) position.

In the preceding week, President Tinubu unveiled the portfolios for the 45 ministers-designate, reserving the position of Minister of Environment and Ecological Management specifically for a representative from Kaduna State. These changes mark a strategic restructuring in the lead-up to the inauguration, signifying a dynamic shift in ministerial responsibilities and naming conventions.

August 21, 2023 Coco Gauff To Win Third Title At Cincinnati Open, Defeating Karolina Muchova

Coco Gauff To Win Third Title At Cincinnati Open, Defeating Karolina Muchova

American teenager Coco Gauff claimed the biggest title of her career with a straight-set win over Karolina Muchova in the Cincinnati Open final.

Gauff followed up her shock win over top seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-final with a 6-3 6-4 victory over her Czech opponent in Sunday's final.

It is the 19-year-old's fifth career title and her third of 2023 after wins in Washington DC and Auckland.

The victory gives Gauff a huge boost before the US Open, which starts on 28 August.

The American also becomes the first teenager to win three WTA titles in one year since Bianca Andreescu in 2019.

Seventh seed Gauff broke her opponent - whom she was facing for the first time - three times in the first set and confidently served out the opener to love in her first WTA 1000 final appearance.

Muchova, who is set to enter the top 10 for the first time, struggled for consistency, and a missed backhand in the fifth game of the second set gave Gauff a break.

Although the American failed to convert three match-point chances while serving at 5-2, she made amends in her next service game to seal the victory.

August 21, 2023 Barcelona Beat Cadiz For First Win Of Season

Barcelona Beat Cadiz For First Win Of Season

Pedri and Ferran Torres’ late strikes earned La Liga champions Barcelona a 2-0 win over Cadiz in their first competitive home game away from Camp Nou on Sunday.

Playing at the Olympic Stadium on the city’s Montjuic hill while their stadium is rebuilt and upgraded over the next year-and-a-half, the visitors nearly thwarted Barcelona.

Barca coach Xavi Hernandez, banned from the dugout after being sent off against Getafe, selected 16-year-old Lamine Yamal on the right instead of the suspended Raphinha, who was also dismissed last weekend.

On his first start for the club, Yamal came closest for the Catalans in the first half with an angled strike expertly tipped to safety by Jeremias Ledesma.

The forward thrilled nearly 40,000 fans — around 10,000 empty seats with a low uptake on season tickets because of the temporary move from Camp Nou.

At the other end, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen went one better with a superb save to deny Roger Marti one-on-one after Alejandro Balde gave the ball away on the halfway line.

After Getafe held them to a frustrating goalless draw on the opening weekend, Cadiz almost managed the same feat until Ilkay Gundogan cleverly released Pedri to score.

Substitute Torres drove through the middle and tucked home in stoppage time to put a gloss on what was another unconvincing performance.

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