We invite you to resume our discussions on a topic that remains highly topical, in which the GIAF, through its members, continues to be very active.
First and foremost, we wish to express our compassion and solidarity with our friend, Prime Minister Moussa MARA, who was arrested by the Malian authorities on August 1 for “undermining the credibility of the state.” He is accused of expressing his solidarity with prisoners of conscience and of stating, in particular, that “as long as the night lasts, the sun will eventually rise.”
Although he is not a member of GIAF, he was a brilliant guest contributor at our conference in Cotonou. His trial has just been held. The prosecution has requested a 24-month sentence; the verdict is expected on October 27. His lawyer has entrusted himself to the “wisdom of the Court not to follow the prosecution”… We can only fully endorse this wish.
Below you will find some information about our current activities.
A – MALI: THE URGENCY TO ACT!
Based on a clear-headed assessment of the situation, which describes the current descent into hell, it is clear that the country will not be able to pull itself out of this situation on its own. Certain courses of action are possible, but a return to normality—avoiding the worst possible scenario as far as possible—will not be possible without the support of the international community, which has a duty to act.
See the minutes of our last important exchange on September 26 from the Taoussa group.
B – SENEGAL: LATEST ACTIVITIES OF THE GIAF BRANCH
1 – Minutes of the branch meeting held on June 28 at Teroubi
This meeting highlighted key points, which are more relevant than ever, concerning how to build regional economic integration around Senegal.
See the report below in the attachment.
2 – Participation in an ECOWAS meeting of experts
General Talla NIANG and Professor Adjaratou AIDARA were invited by ECOWAS to an expert meeting on issues related to violent extremism, in preparation for the December summit of heads of state. It was a productive meeting, with ECOWAS staff proving to be very open.
Their contributions focused in particular on:
– The need to maintain ties with the AES, which should be treated as “neighbors,” without closing the door, if only to understand what they think. – The urgent need for a social contract with young people, who play a fundamental role in current developments. It is essential to give them realistic hope, because young people, by definition inexperienced, are often too impatient. To achieve this, people of unquestionable authority must talk to them and reach out to them, with empathy but also frankness.
C – OTHER HOT ISSUES INVOLVING OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS
– CAMEROON: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN ONE ROUND ON OCTOBER 12
At 93 years old, President BIYA is running for re-election with a strong chance of winning, given that it is a single-round election in a country that has been at a standstill for several years: an inactive government, abysmal domestic debt, deteriorating infrastructure, rampant corruption, etc.
The re-election of a very elderly man, who wields absolute power and could die at any moment without having made any provisions, poses a serious threat to the country, potentially paving the way for military intervention.
Marie-Roger BILOA has made a recently released documentary giving a voice to the main political figures from both the majority and the opposition (90,000 views in one week!).
A consensus candidate has also emerged, Bakari Issa Tchiroma, who has attracted considerable support and brought together many prominent figures. The 76-year-old former Minister of Communication resigned from the government with a bang and is proposing a period of transition.
One question remains a concern, however: will registered voters be able to obtain their cards? Many are unable to do so, as if the Electoral Commission were slowing down their issuance.
For this final week of campaigning, Marie-Roger BILOA is preparing a platform of 10 key questions to ask the candidates in order to clarify their proposals.
These questions are based on the remarkable work by Professor Octave JOKUNG NGUENA: 100 proposals for Cameroon, with liberal, pragmatic, comprehensive, and realistic guidelines that should be of interest to most African countries.
– CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION BECOMES INCREASINGLY TENSE
The Rassemblement Unitaire (RU), chaired by Jean-François AKANDJI-KOMBO, condemns the government’s refusal to engage in dialogue with civil society, which could be the prelude to a new serious crisis. Hence the importance of preventive diplomacy.
This opinion piece is circulating on social media and has also been published in a Beninese newspaper aimed at young people and covering African news. It is a welcome pan-Africanist initiative, strengthening ties between West Africa and Central Africa—a dynamic that began at the Cotonou Conference.
See below for the attached newspaper and article.
– CHAD: PADACKE AGAINST AN “UNCONSTITUTIONAL” REFORM
Albert PAHIMI PADACKE, leader of the democratic opposition, senator, and president of the RNDT-Le Réveil, courageously denounced changes that he considers “unconstitutional.”
According to the Constitution, President Mahamat DÉBY could not engage in political, union, or partisan activities and had to remain above the fray, which meant announcing his resignation from the MPS.
However, a reform aligning the Constitution with a party’s internal rules was presented as a simple “technical revision,” but in reality laid the foundations for authoritarianism without separation of powers or checks and balances.
Albert PADACKE widely circulated his analysis, which was also communicated to the Presidents of Congress and the Senate, as well as to members of parliament. His group boycotted the vote and its 16 deputies left the chamber in protest.
Legal and substantive arguments attached.
D – PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES OF OUR MEMBERS
– Overcoming the “blues” of African regional unions – Paul DERREUMAUX
A highly informative comparative analysis of African regional unions. Paul DERREUMAUX reinforces one of the conclusions of the Cotonou conference: it is “regional sovereignty” that will enable the achievement of “national sovereignty.”
An invitation to overcome the current “blues”!
– KAKO NUBUKPO to participate in upcoming Afreximbank event
On October 17, Kako NUBUKPO will speak at Babacar NDIAYE’s 2025 lecture on the imperative need to strengthen African financial institutions in the global geo-economic context.
https://ndiayelecture2025.afreximbankevents.com/
– Qudus ONIKEKU on tour with 16 young Nigerian artists
Some remember young Qudus, who suddenly jumped over the table at the 2014 conference in Yamoussoukro to dance in front of the participants, under the delighted gaze of President Charles Konan BANNY.
Qudus ONIKEKU continues his artistic work with talent and is currently touring with a troupe of 16 young Nigerian artists (dance, singing, music, etc.) in a show entitled TERRAPOLIS.