The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is often scrutinized for various reasons, including the perception that it serves as an extension of neocolonialism. This view is rooted in several factors: Influence of Former Colonial Powers: Former colonial powers, particularly France and the UK, continue to have significant economic, political, and military influence in West Africa. Some critics argue that ECOWAS facilitates the interests of these foreign powers rather than prioritizing the needs of its member states. Economic Dependence: Many West African countries remain economically dependent on their former colonizers. ECOWAS, in promoting regional integration and economic policies, might inadvertently reinforce patterns of dependency, benefiting multinational corporations and foreign investors more than local economies. Military Interventions: ECOWAS has undertaken several military interventions in its member states, often with the support or approval of Western powers. Critics argue that these interventions sometimes align more with the strategic interests of foreign countries rather than genuine humanitarian or stabilization efforts. Policy Influence: The policies and frameworks adopted by ECOWAS can sometimes reflect the priorities and preferences of international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, which are often seen as instruments of Western economic dominance.

I have been addictively following the war in Ukraine since day one of that war and I have never missed a single day without following events in that country. I have followed military experts who dedicated their time in analyzing the war in a daily basis, including the technologies being used by both sides. I have also followed journalists on the ground who update us about that war in an hourly basis. I have followed official sources such as the ministry of defense of Ukraine, the ministry of defense of Russia, the United States defense department, the European Union and other stakeholders.

Over the past six months, there have been several debates on the issue of the tripartite mandate and outcome. There are those who believe the tripartite committee has a constitutional mandate that allowed them to force the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) to release the disaggregated results of the 2023 elections, which the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) said it was rigged.

The tripartite committee’s  mandate would have expired on June 19th 2024, but the committee met with the president of Sierra Leone for an extension, which was granted by the president. The committee work will continue for another 9 days to complete the work of the committee.

By Dr. Mankota The entanglement of theology and religion with colonialism in Africa is a multifaceted narrative that spans centuries and involves complex interactions between European powers and African societies. To understand why theology and religion are often considered the hearts of colonialism in Africa, it is crucial to examine the historical, ideological, and practical dimensions of this relationship.