In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
solar energy powers healthcare in Niafounké, northern Mali In the Tombouctou region of northern Mali, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has equipped Niafounké Hospital with a cutting-edge solar power system. This renewable energy initiative enhances the facility’s self-sufficiency while ensuring uninterrupted medical care in a zone plagued by isolation and insecurity. transforming hospital operations with clean […]
The shifting geopolitical landscape in the Sahel is unfolding quietly. As European forces gradually withdraw from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—and Russia expands its footprint through quasi-state entities—the United States appears to be reviving its engagement in the region. However, this resurgence is more nuanced than a mere comeback, according to Emmanuel Dupuy, president of […]
Mali drops in Transparency International’s 2025 corruption index Mali has slipped one position in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International, now ranking 136th out of 182 countries surveyed. With a score of 28 out of 100, the country has fallen behind neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, both members of the Alliance of […]
corruptionAfrique Corruption : le nouveau classement révèle des reculs Sandrine Blanchard | Alexa Meyer 10/02/202610 février 2026 Transparency International publie son nouvel Indice de perception de la corruption, qui évalue le niveau perçu de corruption dans le secteur public de 180 pays. https://p.dw.com/p/58Syh Selon l’indice de perception de la corruption 2025 (IPC) de Transparency International, […]
In a tragic incident that has drawn international concern, a military drone strike in Niger’s Tillabéri region reportedly killed at least 17 civilians, including four children, and injured 13 others at a busy market on January 6, 2026. The airstrike, allegedly conducted by Nigerien forces, also resulted in the deaths of three Islamist fighters, raising […]
A major and unprecedented assault recently struck the very center of Niamey. Over the night of Wednesday, January 28, into Thursday, January 29, dozens of militants identified with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) infiltrated the international airport of Niger‘s capital. They also targeted the neighboring Base 101, where they opened fire on […]
The Malian Ministry of Health and Social Development officially received 39 robust 4×4 all-terrain vehicles on Thursday, February 5, 2026. These crucial additions are set to significantly bolster the nation’s health infrastructure, enhancing access to vital medical services, particularly immunization programs, across Mali’s most underserved regions. The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of […]
Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has formally appealed to the government of Burkina Faso to cease all restrictions on civic space and abandon its plans to outlaw political parties. In a recent statement, the UN rights chief characterized these developments as a significant setback for the human rights of the […]
Burkina Faso’s innovative approach to cervical cancer elimination Ouagadougou – In Ouagadougou, Awa, a 48-year-old mother of six from Ipendo, Central-West Burkina Faso, recounts her initial apprehension. “When the town crier announced free screening services, a fear gripped me: what if I was diagnosed? How would I afford treatment? But thinking of my children, I […]
Escalating crackdowns on freedoms and democratic transitions In 2025, military-led governments across West Africa and the Sahel intensified their suppression of civil liberties while consolidating power, according to a recent human rights assessment. The report highlights a troubling pattern of authoritarian measures adopted by ruling juntas in the region, raising serious concerns about the future […]
US shifts Sahel strategy to trade and security partnerships The recent visit of Nick Checker, the US State Department’s African Affairs chief, to Mali signals Washington’s re-engagement with the Sahel region. However, this isn’t a return to previous policies. Instead, the United States is implementing a strategic repositioning across three key pillars: a stronger focus […]
Key developments In 2025, President Mahamat Idriss Déby solidified his grip on power following his victory in the 2024 presidential election, an outcome heavily criticized by the opposition due to alleged irregularities. Subsequent constitutional amendments approved in 2025 removed presidential term limits and extended each mandate from five to seven years. This effectively allows Mahamat […]