Oriontimes International Desk| April 10, 2026 As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marks its 50th anniversary, renewed calls have emerged for deeper commitment to constitutional governance and democratic stability across the West African sub-region. ECOWAS, the economic and political bloc comprising 15 West African countries, has played a pivotal role in regional integration, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution since its establishment. However, as the region faces evolving political challenges, stakeholders are emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen democratic institutions. A diplomatic news platform, Paradigm News, led by Ambassador Raymond Enoch, who also maintains professional ties with ECOWAS and the State of the African Diaspora engaged prominent opinion leaders and policy experts across the region to share insights on the theme: “ECOWAS and the Imperative of Strengthening Constitutionalism and Democratic Resilience in West Africa.” Among those consu...
Russian forces wrestled for control of villages in eastern Ukraine near the city of Bakhmut over the weekend, the latest flash point as Moscow tries to seize the whole of the eastern region of Donbas.
The status of the village of Blahodatne is in dispute. Ukraine said yesterday that its soldiers had repelled attacks on it and on several other settlements in the area. But a day earlier, the Wagner private military company, fighting on Moscow’s behalf, claimed that it had captured the village. Russia’s defense ministry has not confirmed the report, the times learnt.
Blahodatne lies between Soledar, a salt-mining town that Russian forces recently captured after weeks of intense fighting, and a road that runs north from the city of Bakhmut. The road serves as a crucial supply line for Ukrainian forces defending the city. Moscow aims to encircle Bakhmut, cut off its supply routes and then force the city’s defenders to withdraw.
Casualties of war: Many civilians have followed a directive from the government in Kyiv to Donetsk, which is in the Donbas region. Those who have stayed remain vulnerable to shelling and artillery attacks, with dozens killed in recent weeks.

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