ECOWAS expels Guinea-Bissau after army general seizes power

ABUJA,  Nigeria 

West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS suspended Guinea-Bissau's membership hours after an army general was sworn in as the country's president.

The decision was reached at a virtual session of ECOWAS’ Mediation and Security Council (MSC) chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday night.

The meeting included leaders from Cabo Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Benin among others.

It condemned the army takeover as an 'illegal abortion of the democratic process' seeking to subvert popular will.

The coup happened as Guinea-Bissau counted votes after a high-stakes presidential election.

The African Union has condemned the coup and was expected to suspend the country soon.

West Africa has been rattled by army officers seizing power, with at least six coups since 2020.

Deposed Guinea-Bissau president Embaló flees to Senegal

By Kofi Kyekyeku, BISSAU Guinea-Bissau 

Guinea-Bissau slipped deeper into political turmoil this week as soldiers confirmed a new junta leader and former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló departed for neighboring Senegal after a fiercely disputed election.

The military high command presented Gen. Horta Inta-a on state television as the head of a transitional military government that intends to steer the country through a one-year handover period. 

Inta-a, once Embaló’s army chief of staff, has now become the face of the country’s latest power shift.

Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Embaló landed in Dakar aboard a government-chartered plane. 

The ministry revealed it had been “in direct communication with all concerned Guinea-Bissau actors” and pledged to work with partners to support a democratic transition.

Long viewed as one of the poorest and most politically fragile states in West Africa, Guinea-Bissau has endured repeated coups and attempted coups since independence from Portugal more than fifty years ago. 

Its role as a trafficking corridor between Latin America and Europe has also contributed to decades of instability

The country briefly braced for mass demonstrations after opposition parties urged supporters to protest and demanded the release of election results that were expected on Thursday.

Military authorities quickly moved to halt that momentum with a broad prohibition on gatherings and “all disturbing actions of peace and stability in the country.”

Japan will pay 'painful price' if steps out of line over Taiwan, China military says

BEIJING, China

China's defence ministry said on Thursday that Japan will have to pay a "painful price" if it steps out of line over Taiwan, responding to Japanese plans to deploy missiles on an island some 100 km (62 miles) from Taiwan's coast.

The remarks come amid the countries' worst diplomatic crisis in years, after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said this month a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Sunday that plans were "steadily moving forward" to deploy a medium-range surface-to-air missile unit at a military base on Yonaguni, an island about 110 km (68 miles) off Taiwan's east coast.

Asked about the deployment, which China's foreign ministry has already criticised, the country's defence ministry said how to "resolve the Taiwan question" was a Chinese matter and nothing to do with Japan, which controlled Taiwan from 1895 until the end of World War Two in 1945.

"Not only has Japan failed to deeply reflect on its grave crimes of aggression and colonial rule in Taiwan, it has instead, in defiance of world opinion, entertained the delusion of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait," spokesperson Jiang Bin told a regular news briefing.

"The People's Liberation Army has powerful capabilities and reliable means to defeat any invading enemy. If the Japanese side dares to cross the line even half a step and bring trouble upon itself, it will inevitably pay a painful price," he added.

Taiwan's democratically elected government rejects Beijing's territorial claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te this week unveiled plans to spend an extra $40 billion on defence over the coming eight years, which China criticised as a waste of money that would only plunge Taiwan into disaster.

Asked about that criticism, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh said on Thursday that China's defence spending was far greater than Taiwan's.

"If they could place importance on cross-strait peace, this money could also be used to improve the mainland's economy and people's livelihoods," he said.

"The two sides of the strait would not then be like this, at daggers drawn; that would be good for everyone."

China's military operates almost daily in the waters and skies around Taiwan in what the government in Taipei says is part of Beijing's harassment and pressure campaign against it.

General sworn in as interim leader of Guinea-Bissau after coup

BISSAU,  Guinea-Bissau 

Military officials in Guinea-Bissau on Thursday named a general as the country’s transitional president.

Horta Inta-A’s inauguration came a day after soldiers toppled the civilian leadership in a swift power grab ahead of the announcement of the weekend’s election results.

In a statement, he justified taking control of the country saying it faced threats to its stability from politicians and drug barons, without providing any details.

The military government will oversee a one-year transition period starting from Thursday, it said in a declaration broadcast on state television.

"Created in response to the events of November 26, this new military entity immediately assumed supreme power in the state of Guinea-Bissau,” said the general at his swearing-in ceremony.

Guinea-Bissau is a notorious cocaine transport hub with a long history of military interventions in politics.

The coup came after incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both declared victory in the Sunday polls.

Before the announcement of Inta-A's presidency, Dias accused Embaló of staging a "fake coup" to derail the election because he feared he would lose.

The capital Bissau was mostly quiet on Thursday, with soldiers on the streets and many residents staying indoors.

African Union has condemned the coup and called for Embaló’s release. The deposed president’s whereabouts remain unknown.

On Wednesday he told French media that he had been arrested by soldiers.

The reported military takeover is the latest in a string of coups and attempted coups in Guinea-Bissau since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.

It is also the most recent in a surge of military takeovers in West Africa, where democracy has been challenged by disputed elections that analysts say could embolden militaries.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 28/11/2025

 

European Parliament votes to block funding to Tanzania and consider sanctions

BRUSSELS,  Belgium 

The European Parliament has delivered a unanimous and unprecedented condemnation of Tanzania’s post-election human rights situation, citing killings, disappearances, political repression, and a violent crackdown following the country’s October 2025 polls.

In a decisive 539–0 vote, with 27 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved a resolution that raises serious concerns about the situation in the country and sets the stage for blocking EU funding and considering sanctions against those responsible for abuses.

In the resolution, the EU Parliament expressed alarm over reports of killed civilians, abducted activists, and opposition supporters targeted in the aftermath of the election. 

MEPs highlight the politically motivated detention of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was barred from participating in the electoral process and now faces a capital charge. 

They are calling for his immediate and unconditional release and urge Tanzania to abolish the death penalty altogether.

Following the adoption of the resolution, the European Union confirmed that it had frozen Tanzania’s Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2025, stating that the severity of the human rights crisis makes it impossible to continue normal cooperation without accountability.

The Commission signals that collaboration with Tanzanian authorities cannot proceed while abuses remain unaddressed.

MEPs also note that the current form of the EU’s AAP does not adequately account for the serious democratic and human rights deficiencies witnessed in Tanzania—particularly the fraudulent October elections and the subsequent violent government response.

The Parliament’s objection forces the European Commission to revisit its original decision, and MEPs welcomed the Commission’s move to suspend the draft plan pending a full review.

In addition to freezing funding, Parliament is urging credible, independent investigations, including an African-led inquiry into alleged killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other violations.

MEPs want the EU’s support redirected away from state authorities and towards civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, and affected communities. 

They further call for consideration of sanctions against individuals implicated in the violations.

In an earlier statement to MEPs, Maria Luís Albuquerque, the European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, told the EU Parliament that Tanzania must allow credible investigations into the killings, disappearances, and election-related violence that have drawn international concern to rebuild trust.

She also raised concerns about the shrinking political space and the continued detention of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

“We acknowledge the communications received from the Honourable Members of the European Parliament concerning the situation in Tanzania, which we are following very closely. Given the gravity of the situation, the EU has put on hold the adoption of the Implementation Decision for the Tanzania Annual Action Plan 2025,” she said.

MEPs also called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners, particularly Tundu Lissu, calling for independent investigations into killings and kidnappings.

The voting comes after Tanzanian President Samia Hassan was sued at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the post-election violence.

The World Jurists Association and the Madrid Bar Association, in a statement on Tuesday 25, November 2025, argued that Tanzanian security forces have murdered thousands of civilians, enforced disappearances, tortured detainees, committed sexual violence, and displaced Maasai communities.

“This Communication provides to the OTP substantiated information concerning crimes against humanity perpetrated against the civilian population of the United Republic of Tanzania, with particular focus on the systematic attack that occurred during and following the general elections of 29 October 2025 and ongoing facts,” read part of the petition.

Additionally, the organizations have claimed that they have conducted cyber-enabled operations since 2016 and filed an 82-page petition against the government.

The two organizations led by lawyer Juan Carlos Gutierrez filed a petition to the ICC, presenting detailed accounts of crimes against humanity they claim are linked to the country’s 2025 elections.

Tinubu declares security emergency as kidnappings rock Nigeria

ABUJA,  Nigeria 

Facing a kidnapping crisis, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday ordered an overhaul of Nigeria's security forces.

He also authorized the recruitment of an additional 20,000 security personnel on top of the 30,000 already approved.

"The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000,” the statement read. “My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” it added.

Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect public figures and celebrities and ordered their redeployment.

According to reports, about 100,000 police officers — out of an estimated force of around 371,000 are assigned to guard Nigerian political and public figures.

Tinubu's directive also authorizes forest rangers to undertake offensive operations against armed groups hiding in the forests.

Armed groups locally known as bandits have been blamed for deadly attacks and kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria's central and northern provinces for over a decade.

No armed group has claimed responsibility for last Friday's abduction of 303 children from the remote community of Papiri, the latest in a series of high-profile seizures in search of ransom. Fifty of the students have since escaped.

The rise in mass abductions from schools comes as the Trump administration pressures Nigeria to act against what it calls the persecution of Christians there — a claim Nigeria's government denies. Such abductions had decreased in the past two years.

Kenya scrambles to save key trade pact with EU suspended by court

NAIROBI, Kenya 

Kenya on Wednesday vowed to appeal a court ruling which suspended its trade agreement with the European Union (EU), the country's trade ministry said.

The decision by the East African Court of Justice followed a case filed by a think-tank which argued that Kenya’s decision to sign the agreement with the EU violated several provisions of the East African Community treaty.

The East African Community is a political and trade bloc bringing together eight east African countries.

In force since 2024, the so-called Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) drew opposition from regional trade experts who argued that the deal was supposed to be agreed with the entire bloc, and not with Kenya alone.

The deal is open for other east African states to join.

The suspension is significant for Nairobi whose trade with the EU - valued at €3 billion in 2023 - includes nearly €1.2 billion in exports.

The deal allows Kenya to export flowers and fruits to the EU. In return, Europe gets unfettered access to the Kenyan market, and the reduction of tariffs on its exports over a 25-year period.

"Tanzania state response to youth demonstrators was brutal bullets" - European Union MEPs

By Our Correspondent, BRUSSELS Belgium 

On the evening of November 26, Members of the European Parliament delivered blistering criticism during a debate on post-election killings and deteriorating human rights in Tanzania, including the case of Tundu Lissu. 

Speakers condemned the October 29 elections as deeply compromised, pointing to jailed opposition leaders, beatings, abductions, irregularities, near-total internet shutdowns, and a reported 98% win for President Samia Suluhu Hassan. 

They highlighted attacks on protesters, restrictions on journalists, and the torture of observers. Several MEPs described the state’s response to youth demonstrations as “bullets, brutality, and a blockade on truth.”

The debate heavily focused on post-election violence, with reports ranging from dozens to more than 2,000 people killed, alongside widespread arbitrary arrests and treason proceedings against Tundu Lissu. 

Tundu Lissu is the Chairperson of the leading Tanzania opposition party who is facing treason charges that carry death penalty. 

"When Tanzanian citizens, especially the young, rose up, they were met with bullets, brutality and a blockade on truth. Tundu Lissu’s imprisonment is a broader assault on democracy that has stripped Tanzanians of the freedoms they were promised,”- Abir Al-Sahlani, Member of the European Parliament.

MEPs called for immediate releases of detainees, fair trials, ICC referrals, targeted sanctions, and fresh elections under international supervision. 

Live streams of the debate caught massive attention from Tanzanian viewers on TikTok, flooding comment sections 

Following committee objections filed on November 20, the European Parliament is expected to vote on November 27 on whether to block €156 million in 2025 development aid over “democratic backsliding.” 

A separate human-rights resolution will also be tabled, potentially formalizing EU pressure and freezing funds under the NDICI–Global Europe framework.

In the meantime, Tanzania’s embassy in Brussels has lodged a formal protest, calling the debate an “affront to sovereignty” and a breach of the EU–OACPS Samoa Agreement because Tanzania’s perspective was not included. 

Tanzanian officials say an independent inquiry is underway but accuse the EU of promoting a “one-sided narrative.”

With similar concerns already noted by AU and UN observers, the EU’s escalating pressure intensifies fears of international isolation for the Tanzanian government. 

Arsenal end Bayern's unbeaten season to top UCL standings

LONDON,  England 

Second-half goals from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal to a 3-1 victory in Wednesday's heavyweight Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Madueke, back after two months out with a knee injury, scored his first Gunners goal before fellow sub Martinelli pounced on a mistake from Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to stretch Arsenal's perfect record in the competition to five victories from five matches and leave them top of the 36-team table.

Bayern had also won four from four coming into the game but have now seen that 100% record disappear as they also suffered their first defeat in any competition this season.

Earlier, Jurriën Timber had headed Arsenal into the lead and, with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane unable to add to the six goals he has scored at the Emirates, it was left to Bayern's 17-year-old star Lennart Karl to grab the first goal Arsenal have conceded in the competition this season.

This glamour tie was arguably the least important of Premier League leaders Arsenal's three matches this week, sandwiched between the 4-1 derby demolition of Spurs and Sunday's trip to second-placed Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Arteta resisted the temptation to rest some of his big guns -- such as weekend hat-trick hero Eberechi Eze -- with the only changes coming at the back where Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly came in.

Kane had revealed beforehand that he found the Premier League less enjoyable to watch these days due to the prevalence of set-plays, so the England captain will not have enjoyed Arsenal's opener.

Bukayo Saka directed a corner towards the near post and Timber glanced his header past the flapping Neuer.

But out of nowhere Bayern conjured up an equaliser, Joshua Kimmich pinging the ball out to former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry, who cushioned it first time into the path of Karl.

Cool as you like, the teenager - who became Bayern's youngest Champions League goalscorer against Brugge last month - did not break stride as he crashed his first-time volley into the roof of the net.

Moments later a Kane pirouette in the area had Arsenal flustered until William Saliba hacked the ball clear at the second attempt.

After the break Saka, Madueke and Mikel Merino all threatened for the hosts before the second goal arrived in the 69th minute.

Bayern's Dayot Upamecano gave the ball away, Merino swung in a low cross and Madueke pounced from six yards out.

Neuer then suffered a horrible moment as he came out to deal with Eze's long ball, only for Martinelli to waltz past him and finish into an empty net.

"Are you Tottenham in disguise?" and "Harry, what's the score?" were the predictable chants from the home fans as they revelled in their old foe's misery while celebrating a deserved, statement win against the German giants.

At least 44 dead and hundreds missing after fire engulfs Hong Kong tower blocks

TAI PO, Hong Kong 

At least 44 people have been killed in a huge fire that has engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.

There are reports that some residents were trapped in the building, and police say 279 people are still missing.

More than 760 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze on Wednesday afternoon, with pictures showing flames and thick clouds of grey smoke billowing from the towers, dominating the city's skyline.

Three men have since been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to the fire, according to local media reports, and an investigation has been launched.

The blaze broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) and was classified as a level five - the highest in severity - by the fire department at 18:22.

The cause is unknown, but the flames are believed to have spread quickly through the bamboo scaffolding that covered the outside of the buildings, which were undergoing renovations.

Among those hospitalised, 45 are in a serious condition. The injured were sent to hospitals in various districts.

Firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among those killed in the blaze. He was found collapsed at the scene about 30 minutes after contact with him was lost.

"I extend my deepest condolences to the deceased and my heartfelt sympathies to their families and the injured. We will provide all possible support," he said.

The fierce heat of the blaze, as well as dangerous debris has hampered rescue efforts.

"The temperature inside the buildings concerned are very high, so it's quite difficult for us to enter... and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operation," said Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of fire services.

The fire has yet to be extinguished and officials have said they were unsure when it would be.

Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and is made up of eight tower blocks that provide 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, according to a 2021 government census. Seven of the towers have been affected by the fire.

Some residents have told local media that the fire alarms did not sound, and when the elevators stopped working, they struggled to get out. A local councillor said many of the people who lived at Wang Fuk Court are elderly.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 27/11/2025