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ECOWAS Court finds Sierra Leone guilty of human rights violations during Makeni protests
ECOWAS Court finds Sierra Leone guilty of human rights violations during Makeni protests
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice, has delivered its decision in the case of Hassan Kargbo and seven others against the State of Sierra Leone.
The applicants brought an action before the ECOWAS Court of Justice against the State of Sierra Leone for serious violations of their fundamental rights during the tragic events that took place in Makeni in July 2020, particularly the violations of the right to security of the person, the right to life and the right to an effective remedy.
The events leading to this case took place on 17 and 18 July 2020, when a demonstration by young people was violently quelled by the Sierra Leone law enforcement.
According to the applicants, the army and police used live ammunition and tear gas against the demonstrators, causing deaths and serious injuries among unarmed civilians. Several victims, including Foday Kargbo, Mohamed Sillah and Alusine Sesay, died as a result of this crackdown.
The State of Sierra Leone neither appeared nor presented a defence. The Court delivered its judgment by default.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge-Rapporteur, the Court found that the State of Sierra Leone had violated the right to security of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah. Nonetheless, the Court found that the State had neither violated the right to life of the applicants, who were still alive, nor their right to an effective remedy.
As for the unarmed civilians who had lost their lives in the violence, the claim of the applicants who had presented themselves as their rightful heirs was declared inadmissible for failure to provide proof of their death and of their kinship with the victims.
Furthermore, the Court found that the State had failed in its obligation to conduct investigations into the events at Makeni.
As compensation for these violations, it ordered the State to pay USD 15,000 in damages to each of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah for violation of their right to security. It also enjoined the State to take measures to prevent the excessive use of force during peaceful demonstrations and to conduct an investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
The three-member panel of the Court were Honorable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge), Honorable Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (judge-rapporteur) and Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante (panel member).
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have stormed the camp of a notorious bandit leader, Gwaska Dan Karmi, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, neutralising 20 terrorists and destroying the stronghold.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the decisive, well-coordinated offensive followed credible intelligence that over 100 bandits had converged at the camp to plan coordinated attacks on communities and logistics movements.
According to the source, the troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, conducted week-long surveillance before moving to intercept the terrorists.
“Contact was established on Jan. 31, 2026, as the terrorists advanced. They engaged the troops in a fierce firefight and attempted a flanking manoeuvre, but this was repelled by superior firepower,” the source said.
He said 20 terrorists were neutralised in the encounter, while several others fled with gunshot wounds. Follow-up operations, the source added, were ongoing to assess further casualties and recover additional items.
The raid yielded significant recoveries, including assorted weapons and ammunition, bicycles, food supplies, medical drugs, clothing, detergents and other logistics materials.
“The Gwaska Dan Karmi camp was completely destroyed,” the source said.
He noted that troops remained highly motivated, with combat efficiency assessed as strong and unwavering.
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Army troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Police Command, have rescued an abducted man in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that the incident occurred on Jan. 29, when armed bandits invaded the residence of Abdullahi Isah Nagari on the outskirts of Tsafe town and abducted him to an unknown destination.
According to the source, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tsafe Division promptly mobilised to launch a coordinated rescue operation.
“During a thorough search of the surrounding bushes, the victim was successfully located and rescued. He was found tied to a tree with a machete cut injury on his hand,” the source said.
The sources added that the victim was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he was receiving medical attention.
The source said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators, while security patrols had been intensified in the area to prevent further occurrences.
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
U.S. official heads to Mali to reset ties, boost Sahel cooperation
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior official of the United States Government, Nick Checker, is travelling to Bamako to convey Washington’s respect for Mali’s sovereignty and explore a new course in bilateral relations between the two countries.
This is according to a statement issued by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.
The statement said Checker, a Senior Bureau Official at the State Department, would engage Malian authorities on ways to move past previous policy missteps and rebuild cooperation.
It added that the United States was looking forward to discussing next steps for enhancing U.S.–Mali relations, particularly in the areas of security and economic development.
“The United States also plans to consult with other governments in the region, including Burkina Faso and Niger, on shared security and economic interests,” the statement said.
It noted that the visit underscored Washington’s desire to strengthen engagement with Sahelian countries amid ongoing regional security and political challenges.
The Bureau said the discussions would focus on practical ways to promote stability, respect for sovereignty and mutually beneficial cooperation across the Sahel.
U.S. official heads to Mali to reset ties, boost Sahel cooperation
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Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
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