Law, Power, and Justice

Sunday 5 August 2023

News Summaries

FRANCE 24 TV: Link TV

AFRICA:

• The North African Defence Chiefs are planning to intervene to restore the democratically elected government in Niger if coup leaders do not respond.
• (Note: I know nothing about the background here, but it is refreshing to see somebody stand up for democracy without wringing their hands.)
• ECOWAS leaders were not even able to meet with the coup leader.
• The coup leaders announced that they were scrapping any military agreements with France.
• Niger has had a key role with the West in combatting jihadists in the region.  (Note: So where was the CIA when this coup was being planned.  I keep thinking about the Saturday Night Live skit where the secretary in the CIA’s Tehran office had to tell the agents that the people in Iran didn’t like the shah.)
• Between the US and France there are approximately 2,000 troops in the country.  (Note: What are they doing?  Playing on their cell phones?)
• (Note: Sorry)
• The President has written a letter, published in the Washington Post, saying he was a “hostage.”
• He warned about the influence of Russia in the area via Wagner Mercenaries.
• France 24 (excellent news program on LINK TV) has had their broadcasts suspended in Niger.
• France supports ECOWAS intervention in Niger, foreign minister says.

UKRAINE:

• There has been another strike by Ukraine on a Russian ship. 
• A Russian port has been successfully targeted. 
• Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is being investigated for mines.  The plant has been shut down for months.
• FRANCE 24 TV is reporting that a Russin chemical tanker was hit by Ukrainian drones.
• The tanker hit was under US sanctions for supplying jet fuel to Russian forces in Syria.
• Talks are starting in Saudi Arabia to try to find a “peaceful” settlement after the invasion Russia launched against Ukraine.
• There will be representatives of some 40 countries but not Russia.
• Attending countries include: China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Gulf nations (NYT)
• Ukrainians staged a demonstration in Lisbon to pray with Pope Francis.  One said, he has to do something, not just talk. (NYT)
• The Pope, while supportive of Ukraine, has refused to name Russia as the aggressor?  What?  (NYT)