This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Sahel States exit ECOWAS, military prosecutions banned, Colombian immigrants return home

Colombians deported from the United States arrive at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Source: REUTERS

This week has been marked by significant events across the Global South, from innovative introductions to political happenings and issues around deportation.

Africa

Burkina Faso launches its first electric car

Burkina Faso electric vehicle — Source: Twitter/KennedyMmari

Burkina Faso has unveiled its first electric car, designed and built entirely by local company ITAOUA.

This is the first time the country has produced its own car, marking a major step forward in technology and industry. Read more here.

West Africa bloc announces formal exit of three junta-led states

ECOWAS leaders hold an extraordinary summit in Accra — Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) flag is pictured during an extraordinary summit of ECOWAS to hear reports from recent missions to Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea following military coups in those countries, in Accra, Ghana March 25, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo

The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) on January 29, announced the formal exit of junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc following their withdrawal last year. Read more here.

Uganda's top court bans military prosecution of civilians

Ugandan four-time presidential aspirant Kizza Besigye stands in steel dock at Uganda Military General Court Martial in Kampala — Ugandan four-time presidential aspirant Kizza Besigye and his colleague Obeid Lutale stand in the steel dock at the Uganda Military General Court Martial in Makindye suburb of Kampala, Uganda November 20, 2024. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa

Uganda's top court said on January 31, that trying civilians in military courts was unconstitutional and ordered any ongoing prosecutions to stop immediately. The ruling will offer relief to a key opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, who has been undergoing trial by the country's general court martial, his lawyer Erias Lukwago said, adding that the defendant would now not appear in court on Monday as originally scheduled. Read more here.

Asia

Myanmar imposes travel ban on young people amid new army draft rules

FILE PHOTO: Myanmar's junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in Naypyitaw — FILE PHOTO: Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup, presides at an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Myanmar’s military government has introduced new rules under its conscription law, including a ban on foreign travel for people who are eligible for military service. The changes, announced on January 23, 2025, have sparked criticism from political groups and legal experts, who say the new rules will increase oppression in the country. Read more here.

More Indians losing hope of improved quality of life under Modi, survey shows

BRICS summit held in Russia's city of Kazan — FILE PHOTO: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia October 23, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool/File Photo

More Indians are becoming less hopeful about their quality of life as stagnant wages and higher living costs cloud future prospects, a survey showed, in disappointing news for Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of this week's annual budget. Read more here.

Taiwan says government departments should not use DeepSeek, citing security concerns

FILE PHOTO: Illustration shows Deepseek app — FILE PHOTO: Deepseek app is seen in this illustration taken, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Taiwan's digital ministry said on January 31 that government departments should not use Chinese startup DeepSeek's artificial intelligence (AI) service, saying that as the product is from China it represents a security concern. In a statement, Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs said that government departments are not allowed to use DeepSeek's AI service to "prevent information security risks". Read more here.

Latin America

Brazil, U.S. officials agree to discuss how deported migrants are treated

Brazilian migrants deported from the U.S. under President Trump's administration, board a Brazilian Air Force flight, in Manaus — Brazilian migrants deported from the U.S. under President Donald Trump's administration, board a Brazilian Air Force flight to Belo Horizonte at the Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, Brazil, January 25, 2025. REUTERS/Bruno Kelly

Brazilian and U.S. officials agreed on January 29, to discuss regularly how Washington will deport migrants from Brazil, as some leaders in Latin America have balked at what they see as poor treatment of their citizens on repatriation flights. Brazil's foreign affairs ministry said in a social media post that the talks will be led by officials from the ministry and the U.S. embassy, after the ministry summoned a senior U.S. diplomat earlier this week over the treatment of recent deportees that local officials condemned as degrading. Read more here.

Colombian planes carrying US deportees arrive in Bogota after Trump-Petro row

Two Colombian air force planes carrying deportees from the United States arrived in Bogota on January 28, the government said, paving the way for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to lift visa restrictions and other measures on Colombian citizens. Read more here.

Mexico's Sheinbaum awaits US tariff deadline with 'cool head'

FILE PHOTO: Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum delivers a speech at the National Palace, in Mexico City, Mexico January 21, 2025. REUTERS/Henry Romero/File Photo

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on January 31, that she will wait with a cool head for a decision from the United States ahead of a Saturday deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. Read more here.

Wonder Hagan