8, August 2023
Niger military ‘cementing grip on power’ with announcement of new PM 0
Despite mounting international pressure for the Niger’s ruling junta to step down its decision to name a new prime minister is an indication that the military is already holding on to leadership in the West African country.
“They are cementing their grip on power… they are trying to send a message that they are creating a government around them[sevles].”
Niger informed ECOWAS that it cannot host a delegation from the West African regional bloc, citing reasons of security due to what it characterised as widespread anger among the Nigerien population following sanctions imposed by the bloc.
“The current context of anger and revolt among the population following the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS makes it impossible to welcome this delegation in the required serenity and security,” Niger’s foreign affairs ministry wrote in a letter addressed to the ECOWAS representation in Niamey.
Culled from France 24
8, August 2023
GCE Fraud: 693 candidates caught with pre-prepared material, 189 with cell phones 0
1891 candidates who sat for the 2023 General Certificate of Education Examination have been handed suspensions ranging from 1-3 years and their results canceled for examination malpractices.
State media, CRTV, has reported that the candidates were sanctioned by the GCE board for a series of malpractices.
The report reveals that 693 candidates were caught with pre-prepared material, 994 for collusion, 189 with cell phones, 6 for script substitution, 8 for impersonation, and 1 for violence.
Of the 1891 candidates, 1688 were slammed with a 1-year ban for collusion, violence, and the use of pre-prepared material while 203 others who were found guilty of using cell phones, script substitution, and impersonation, were slammed with a 3-year suspension.
They all also saw their results canceled.
When results were released on July 24, 2023, some schools scored 0% because their candidates were all sanctioned.
The number of malpractices recorded this year has almost doubled as compared to 2022. The number increased from 987 cases last year to 1 891 this year.
Source: Cameroon News Agency