Stake News Check #33 from 6/19/2026 to 7/01/2026 : Key Political, Diplomatic and Security Developments
Over the past two weeks the region witnessed a series of assertive moves by governments and regional bodies that reshaped diplomatic alignments, legal contestations and media freedoms.
Burkina Faso announced the severance of diplomatic relations with France, stating that the conditions for maintaining bilateral ties based on mutual respect, trust and sovereignty were no longer met. Authorities accused France of acting against Burkina Faso’s interests and reaffirmed that the decision concerned only state-to-state diplomatic relations, while stressing that historical and people-to-people ties would remain unchanged. Citizens were also urged to respect French nationals and other expatriates residing in the country. [1]
Niger formally notified the International Criminal Court (ICC) of its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, with the withdrawal expected to take effect one year after notification. The government cited concerns over the Court’s alleged politicisation and instrumentalisation. The ICC acknowledged the notification, expressed regret over the decision and reminded Niger that it remains bound by its obligations under the Rome Statute until the withdrawal becomes effective. [2]
The ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that Togo’s 2024 constitutional reforms establishing a parliamentary system were unconstitutional. The Court found that the reforms, adopted by a parliament whose mandate had expired, violated democratic principles by replacing the direct presidential election with an indirect vote by lawmakers. Although the ruling is not legally binding, it provides additional legal grounds for those challenging the constitutional changes. [3]
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary summit to assess the political and security situation in Madagascar. Regional leaders reviewed progress in political dialogue and considered measures to strengthen institutional stability, governance and mediation efforts, reaffirming SADC’s commitment to supporting peaceful political solutions in the country. [4]
In Uganda, security forces shut down the broadcasts of NTV Uganda and Spark TV after orders from the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The move drew criticism from media organisations and press freedom advocates, while the military maintained its position. The incident comes amid continued concerns over media freedom and the political environment ahead of future electoral processes. [5]
Sources :
1] Burkina Faso
2] Niger
3] ECOWAS
4] Madagascar
5] Uganda