The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) proudly joins the people of The
Gambia in celebrating 60 years of independence! This historic milestone is a
testament to the resilience, unity, and unwavering spirit of Gambians in their
pursuit of democracy, peace, and development.
As The Gambia reflects on six decades of sovereignty, WACSOF reaffirms its
commitment to working alongside civil society, government, and stakeholders to
promote good governance, human rights, and sustainable development. We
celebrate the progress made and encourage continued efforts toward a more
prosperous and inclusive future for all Gambians.
Happy 60th Independence Day, The Gambia!
Long live freedom, unity, and progress!
Author: Tiffany Bright
WACSOF Pushes for Stability and Cooperation in West Africa
The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) convened a press conference to address the political and security implications of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS.
The event, themed ”Beyond Borders: Safeguarding Regional Stability After the Exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger,” highlighted concerns over regional integration, security cooperation, and governance challenges.
Experts, including Mr James Ugochukwu and Dr. Joe Nkamuke, stressed the urgent need for dialogue to prevent further fragmentation. They warned that the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES) could complicate counterterrorism efforts, economic trade, and democratic governance. During the Q&A session, WACSOF was questioned on ECOWAS’s handling of the Niger coup under President Bola Tinubu. Mr. Ugochukwu acknowledged ECOWAS’s challenge in balancing democracy and stability but suggested that a stronger emphasis on diplomacy, mediation, and grassroots engagement could have yielded better results.
Further discussions examined threats to democracy, economic instability, and restrictions on press freedom across West Africa. WACSOF urged ECOWAS to reinforce democratic institutions, strengthen security cooperation, and protect civic freedoms.
The forum concluded with a call for unity and inclusive dialogue, emphasizing that ”West Africa’s strength lies in its unity,” and urging all stakeholders to prioritize regional stability over division.
Saudi Arabia Restricts Visas for Travellers from Nigeria and 13 Other Countries
Saudi Arabia has announced a new visa policy restricting visitors from Nigeria and 13 other countries to single-entry visas. The one-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, and family visits has been suspended for travellers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Under the new guidelines, only single-entry visas valid for 30 days will be issued, with no option for extension. However, Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected.
Saudi authorities cited concerns over the misuse of multiple-entry visas, stating that many visitors stayed in the country illegally or attempted to perform Hajj without authorization. The government urges travellers from the affected nations to apply for their visas well in advance.
Ghana Enforces Spending Cuts: Ministers Banned from First-Class Travel
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has announced a ban on first-class
travel for government officials as part of efforts to reduce public spending.
Speaking at a ministerial swearing-in ceremony on February 7, 2025, he
emphasized the need for modesty in government operations and strict
accountability in the use of state resources. Ministers must now seek prior
approval from the Chief of Staff for any official travel.
President Mahama reiterated that government resources belong to the people and
must not be wasted on luxury. He pledged to hold officials accountable and
ensure that public funds are used solely to improve citizens' livelihoods. He also
acknowledged Ghana’s economic difficulties and vowed to take decisive action,
including reviewing the findings of the Operation Recover All the Loot
(ORAL) committee to reclaim misappropriated public funds.