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  Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been confirmed dead after genetic analysis of bodies found in Wednesday’s plane crash, Russian officials say. The Investigative Committee (SK) said the identities of all 10 victims had been established and corresponded to those on the flight’s passenger list. Prigozhin’s private jet came down north-west of Moscow on 23 August, killing all those on board. The Kremlin has denied speculation it was to blame for the crash. The SK said it was continuing a criminal investigation. “Molecular-genetic testing has been completed,” it said in a statement. “According to its results, the identities of all 10 deceased have been established, and they correspond to the list published in the flight manifest.” The victims include several senior figures in Wagner, a Russian mercenary group set up by Prigozhin and involved in military operations in Ukraine, Syria and parts of Africa. Among them was Dmitry Utkin, who managed Wagner’s military operations. The others on t

  West African military chiefs are set to meet Thursday in Ghana to coordinate a possible intervention aimed at reversing Niger's coup. But it appears the African Union disagrees with a military outcome. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments on the situation in Niger.  Military chiefs from ECOWAS are set to meet in Ghana on Thursday, August 17 and Friday, August 18 to discuss possible military intervention in Niger, regional military and political sources said on Tuesday. © Nipah Dennis, AFP

•Orders CBN sanctions on individuals, entities relating with junta •Bids by UN, AU, ECOWAS, US to parley with coup leaders fail •Military option would decelerate pace of economic recovery—CPPE’S YUSUF By Tunde Oso (with additional agency reports) & Johnbosco Agbakwuru PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu said yesterday the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government’s ultimatum against the military junta in the Niger Republic was not that of Nigeria. He also ordered the acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi to make another financial sanctions against individuals and entities relating with the military junta that overthrew the democratically elected government of the country. Tinubu spoke as fresh bids by the United States, the United Nations and the African Union to come to the negotiating table was rejected by the junta. The African Union (AU) planned to send a joint mission with representatives of the UN and ECOWA

session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. Henry Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS/File .. .  ROME, Aug 7 (Reuters) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should prolong their deadline for the reinstatement of Niger's ousted president, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview published on Monday. "The only way is the diplomatic one. I hope that the ultimatum of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which expired last night at midnight, will be extended today," Tajani told La Stampa newspaper. Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Sabina Suzzi

 In a move that underscores the escalating tensions in Niger’s ongoing political crisis, the country has made the decision to close its airspace, effective immediately and until further notice. The decision was announced on Sunday by a representative of the junta, a group that assumed power following a recent coup. The closure comes amidst mounting concerns of potential military intervention by the West African regional bloc after the coup leaders rebuffed a deadline to reinstate the ousted president. The junta’s announcement came following a surge of support from thousands of its backers, who assembled at a stadium in Niamey, the capital. They cheerfully celebrated the junta’s defiance against external pressure, applauding their stance in the face of demands to hand over power, which comes from the power seizure on July 26. Kano Govt to activate, support 250 cooperative groups The Kano State Government is set to empower 250 cooperative groups as part of a broader strategy for socio-ec

  A supporter of Niger's National Concil for the sefeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) attends a demonstration in Niamey, Niger, on August 6, 2023.   © AFP A deadline set by ECOWAS for Niger's coup leaders to restore power to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum expired on Sunday, raising the prospect of military intervention in the West African country. As the deadline approached, military leadership announced it was closing the country's airspace due to the "threat of intervention". Follow our live blog for all the latest developments. All times are west Africa time.

   Thousands turned out for a rally in support of the coup on Thursday As the seven-day ultimatum given by West African leaders for the military in Niger to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum draws to a close, both sides have crucial decisions to make. Last Sunday evening, the regional bloc Ecowas, headed by President Bola Tinubu of neighbouring Nigeria, said the junta had a week to restore constitutional order or face the possible use of force. Sanctions on the coup leaders have already been imposed and electricity supplies from Nigeria have been cut, along with borders, meaning goods are no longer arriving and the land-locked country has lost access to ports. But as the political, diplomatic and military tensions rise, what could happen as the deadline passes? 1). Deadline is extended One option is for the Ecowas leaders to extend the deadline. This has the danger of being seen as a climbdown, but the heads of state could save face by saying that diplomatic efforts have made progress

Ex-Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for nationwide protests after he was handed a three-year jail sentence over corruption allegations. Mr Khan was found guilty of not declaring money earned from selling gifts he received in office. He denies the charges and says he will appeal. After the verdict, Mr Khan was taken into custody from his home in Lahore. In a pre-recorded statement posted after the verdict, he urged supporters to fight against the ruling. "I have only one appeal, don't sit at home silently," he said in a video address posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. "I am struggling for you and the country and your children's future," he added. The former cricketer-turned-politician, 70, was elected in 2018, but was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year after falling out with Pakistan's powerful military. Mr Khan is facing more than 100 cases brought against him since his removal - charges he says are politically motivated. Saturday

A  Russian tanker with 11 crew members has been hit in a Ukrainian attack in the Black Sea, Russian officials say. They said the vessel's engine room was damaged in the overnight strike in the Kerch Strait. No-one was hurt. Ukraine has not publicly commented. But a Ukrainian security service source told the BBC a sea drone had been used. Saturday's attack is the second in as many days involving such weapons. Russia, however, has not admitted any damage during Friday's attack. Naval drones, or sea drones, are small, unmanned vessels which operate on or below the water's surface. Research by BBC Verify suggests Ukraine has carried out several attacks with sea drones. The Kerch Strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating Crimea - Ukraine's peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014 - and Russia's Taman peninsula. The Ukrainian security service source told the BBC Saturday's operation was also conducted jointly with the Ukrainian navy and that 450kg o

US President Joe Biden called on Thursday for the immediate release of Niger’s elected President Mohamed Bazoum and for thecountry’s democracy to be preserved. “I call for President Bazoum and his family to be immediately released, and for the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy,” Biden said in a statement Thursday, the 63rd anniversary of Niger’s independence. “In this critical moment, the United States stands with the people of Niger to honor our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance,” he said. Bazoum, 63, was ousted a week ago by his own guard in a coup condemned by the United States, European nations and the United Nations. “The Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders,” Biden said. “They have expressed their will through free and fair elections — and that must be respected.” Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger’s first peaceful transition of power. He took the he