Isotrex Phantom mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles In Burkina Faso (Picture source: Faso Times )

The strengthening of Burkina Faso's troops does not come at an insignificant time, as ECOWAS continues to threaten Niger with military intervention, and tensions, for now, do not seem to be subsiding. As a reminder, Burkina Faso has declared that any attack on Nigerien soil would be considered an attack on its own territory. Although the exact details of the agreement and the number of Phantoms acquired are not publicly available, the presence of these vehicles indicates a strengthening of Burkina Faso's military assets. 

The Phantom has five doors, two escape hatches, and a 360-degree turret. The vehicle's dimensions are as follows, 2.5m in width, 6.12m in length, and 2.36m in height, or 2,650 mm with the turret. This design accommodates 10 seats, providing room for a driver, a commander, and eight other people.

Under the hood, the Phantom is powered by a 330 horsepower, 6.7 L engine, available in both diesel and petrol variants. The automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configuration enhance its mobility and responsiveness. The vehicle's Independent Suspension and Isotrex Heavy Reinforced Suspension systems ensure a smooth ride, even in the most challenging conditions. The Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) adds to its adaptability. The armoring, available in STANAG II or III levels, ensures that the vehicle can withstand various types of attacks.

But the threat of intervention from ECOWAS is not the only one Burkina Faso must face. The country is grappling with security challenges, particularly in the northeastern region. It has been confronted with ambushes and attacks from armed groups, some of whom have sworn allegiance to terrorist organizations like ISIL and al-Qaeda. Recently, terrorists ambushed a police reconnaissance mission in the Koulpelogo province. The addition of Isotrex Phantom vehicles could also be a response to these ongoing threats, providing the army with enhanced protection and mobility in conflict zones.

The acquisition of Isotrex Phantom MRAP vehicles by Burkina Faso's army marks a significant step in enhancing its defence capabilities. As the country continues to face security challenges, these vehicles may play a crucial role in safeguarding personnel and enhancing operational effectiveness.  Faso Times

The joint technical committee of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio has agreed on five agendas to be tackled by the National Dialogue Committee.

A member of the technical committee who sought anonymity due to sensitivity of the matter, said the cost of living and social economic issues, two thirds gender rule, national unity and governance and checks and balances in government have been clustered as one agenda.

Electoral justice and related issues like reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, boundaries delimitation and audit of 2022 General Election is another agenda for deliberation by the National Dialogue Committee co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa.

“Entrenchment into the Constitution of the Constituency Development Fund, National Government Affirmative Action Fund and Senate Oversight Fund is one of the agendas agreed upon by the joint technical committee to be presented to the National Dialogue Committee for discussion,” said the technical committee member. 

The proposal to entrench into the Constitution the office of the leader of official opposition and office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary will also be part the agenda.

The member said they have also set out fidelity to political parties for discussion, which has been a thorny issue. This comes after Ichungwa called on Kenyans to ignore leaders purporting to speak on the position of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio over various issues the committee is supposed to discuss.

He said leaders speaking outside the framework of the talks are only giving their views. Ichungwa, who was addressing journalists at the Bomas of Kenya after the team met on Monday, said the National Assembly has already passed the motion to have the talks anchored in law. He said the motion has been forwarded to the Senate which will handle the matter on Tuesday next week. 

“We have been given 60 days to give a report to Parliament over our deliberations with the days starting to count once the Senate discusses the motion to have the talks anchored in law since the National Assembly has already dispensed with the matter and we are good to go,” said Ichungwa.

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said joint technical committees will continue engaging from Tuesday to Thursday before the entire team meets on Friday to review what has been agreed on. 

“We have tasked our technical teams to meet from Tuesday to Thursday before our joint teams gather here on Friday to review the progress made so far in the talks, we believe that the Senate will expedite the anchoring of the talks in law just like the National Assembly has done,” said Wandayi. On Tuesday last week, Ichungwa and Wandayi tabled a motion seeking recognition of the National Dialogue Committee to steer the bipartisan talks.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and his Minority counterpart Stewart Madzayo are expected to table the motion before the Senate next week.

Last week, Kalonzo said Azimio and Kenya Kwanza technical teams will synchronise agendas before they sit to thrash out contentious issues that have caused divisions between the government and opposition. 

“We as the Azimio la Umoja team are coming to the table for dialogue with our Kenya Kwanza team in good faith. We have to work expeditiously to ensure all the issues we have raised are addressed so as to ensure peace and tranquility are maintained,” he said. By Edwin Nyarangi , The Standard

Burundian Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca has urged residents of Mabayi district to avoid any collaboration with Rwandan terrorists operating in Kibira forest on the border with Rwanda, local media reports say.

Ndirakobuca was in Mabayi, Cibitoke Province on Tuesday and met with local leaders and military leaders.

In no uncertain terms, the Burundian Prime Minister warned Mabayi residents that any alliance with the Rwandan terrorists would not be tolerated, according to Burundian national broadcaster RTNB.

The RTNB said in a broadcast that local residents are believed to have played a role in recent security incidents carried out in Mabayi district by the terrorists from Kibira forest.

Ndirakobuca also said “all the leaders” who have links with the terrorist elements would be held accountable.

“The leaders who have ears have heard what I said,” Ndirakobuca noted, adding “the wise one should change” or they will face severe consequences.

He urged all leaders to educate Burundians about the benefits of peace and security.

Reports say elements of the FLN militia were responsible for attacks that happened in earlier July in Burundi.

The FLN outfit was responsible for attacks that killed civilians in southern Rwanda between 2018 and 2019.

FLN leaders and their associated MRCD terrorist movement led by Paul Rusesabagina were tried and convicted in Rwanda for their actions in the southern part of the country. - Moise M. Bahati, The New Times

Eleven people earmarked for the first deportation flight to Rwanda staged a hunger strike to protest about their forced removal, according to a report from an independent watchdog. The annual report from the Independent Monitoring Board for Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre highlights grave concerns about how the Home Office managed the process of attempting to remove people to Rwanda, a controversial policy which the government says will deter small boat arrivals.

That first flight was cancelled shortly before it was due to take off from Boscombe Down Ministry of Defence site in Wiltshire after a last-minute intervention by the European court in June. The Court of Appeal found the Rwanda policy to be unlawful but government is due to appeal against that ruling in the supreme court in October. The report issues a series of warnings for government about its Rwanda policy.

“The board remains concerned that if this policy is fully implemented and men are detained prior to removal there is a high likelihood of real harm,” it states, adding that the process of removing people to Rwanda was “inadequate, resulting in unacceptable compromises to the men’s safety”.

One hundred people who were held in the Gatwick detention centre received notices of intent letters from the Home Office that there were plans to forcibly remove them to Rwanda. 

It has been reported that 128 people received notices for the inaugural flight – 28 at Heathrow immigration removal centre and the rest at Gatwick. Just one person from the Gatwick centre was taken to the airport in preparation for removal. The report found that he suffered a severe panic attack. 

A total of seven asylum seekers were taken to Boscombe Down for the aborted flight, six of whom were staying at the Heathrow immigration removal centre.

The report also raises concerns about the time removal directions were issued to those the Home Office hoped to remove to Rwanda. These removal directions were issued on 30 May, the queen’s jubilee weekend, when it was harder for people to access lawyers.

An earlier report from the IMB’s charter flight monitoring team published in June 2023 found that two of the seven people the Home Office tried to put on the flight to Rwanda were on constant observation due to their risk of suicide, with one put into a waist restraint belt.

Three of the seven were subjected to use of force. One person was not offered access to paramedics when he needed it. One man started praying on the airfield believing the plane would take off imminently while the report stated “two started to scream out their fear and distress, each trying to hurl his torso and head backwards and forwards”. Both were put into waist restraint belts.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We take the wellbeing and safety of those in our care incredibly seriously and have dedicated welfare teams across all sites who can escalate any instances of mental health or illness.

“There are also robust safeguarding measures in place to ensure everyone within our care, including vulnerable people, is treated with dignity and has access to the support they need including legal advice while in detention.”  By Diane Taylor, Guardian