Niger, Haiti, Iran.

Today's three stories you should know.

Aug 01, 2023

Niger

Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea today warned that any attempt to intervene in Niger following a military coup last week would be seen as a “declaration of war.” It’s a case of regional coup leaders sticking together given all three nations are themselves led by military juntas after several years of coups in the Sahel area. A regional organization of fifteen West African states, Ecowas, had threatened to use force to reinstall the government of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Several European nations, including former colonial power France, have begun evacuating their nationals.

Haiti

After months of pleading from various senior UN officials, it looks like Haiti might finally get some form of international force to help it battle its dramatic gang problem. The US said today it plans to introduce a resolution at the UN Security Council to authorize a “multinational force,” with Kenya apparently willing to lead it. Haiti, already struggling with insecurity, was thrown into chaos after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. More than 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince is now controlled by a patchwork of powerful criminal gangs.

Iran

Iran has called public holidays for Wednesday and Thursday this week as it grapples with extreme heat across several regions and cities. State media reported that temperatures had climbed higher than 123 degrees Fahrenheit (51 Celsius) in the southern city of Ahvaz. Older people and adults with health issues have been told to stay inside and the health ministry said that hospitals would be put on high alert.