In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
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 […]
The landscape of human rights in Niger has seen a persistent decline following the military takeover in July 2023. Throughout 2025, the ruling military council intensified its crackdown on political rivals, dissenters, labor leaders, and members of the press. The authorities have continued the unlawful imprisonment of former President Mohamed Bazoum and his spouse, alongside […]
In a rare strike on Niger’s capital, the area around Diori Hamani international airport in Niamey was rocked by heavy gunfire and explosions shortly after midnight between January 28 and 29. The Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) claimed responsibility for the assault two days later through its propaganda arm, AMAQ. According to Nigerien authorities, […]
Washington’s new approach to the Sahel’s military regimes The United States has significantly altered its policy toward three West African nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—following their shift from French military partnerships to alliances with Russia. These countries, now governed by military juntas, have faced persistent Islamist insurgencies while rejecting Western democratic models in favor of […]