In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
forced disappearances: a tool of repression by West African military regimes Military authorities in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger are systematically silencing dissent through forced disappearances and unlawful detentions. According to the latest findings, this pattern of repression has intensified, with security forces targeting activists, journalists, and civil society leaders to stifle opposition and […]
Human rights advocates are sounding the alarm over a troubling proposal in Mali to dissolve all political parties following consultations on revisions to the Political Parties Charter. Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, emphasized the severity of the situation, warning that such a move would severely undermine […]
Mali leads the way with a groundbreaking hybrid malaria vaccination strategy In a historic move on World Malaria Day, the Republic of Mali has become the first nation globally to implement a hybrid vaccination approach against malaria. This innovative strategy combines routine and seasonal dosing to maximize protection for children aged 5 to 36 months, […]
In a troubling escalation, several Burkinabè journalists and activists now living in exile have been added to a government watchlist. They are accused of ‘association with criminal elements linked to a terrorist enterprise’, a charge widely viewed as a pretext to silence critical voices in the media and civil society. why this move raises serious […]
Click to expand Image (Nairobi) – La junte militaire du Burkina Faso a arrêté trois journalistes le 24 mars 2025 pour avoir couvert la répression gouvernementale contre les médias, a déclaré Human Rights Watch aujourd’hui. Les autorités ont arrêté Guezouma Sanogo et Boukari Ouoba, respectivement président et vice-président de l’Association des journalistes du Burkina (AJB), […]
Eighteen months after the Niger coup of July 26, 2023, which ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the military-led National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) has tightened its grip on power. Forced arrests, arbitrary detentions, media crackdowns, political party bans, and ignored court rulings—these are the documented abuses highlighted in a recent […]
Human Rights Defenders in the Sahel Face Unprecedented Crackdowns The Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad are witnessing a dramatic surge in repression targeting human rights defenders, as civic space rapidly shrinks across the region. Recent political transitions following military takeovers have accelerated this concerning trend, pushing fundamental freedoms to the brink of collapse. © […]
The Sahel region is witnessing a troubling surge in injustice, with three neighboring nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—facing a shared crisis rooted in military governance and weakened regional accountability. At the heart of this issue lies a critical factor: all three countries have formally withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a […]
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially acknowledged Niger as the first country in the African Region to halt the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite responsible for river blindness. This milestone places Niger among only five nations globally to achieve this distinction. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the significance of this accomplishment: […]
WASHINGTON, January 24, 2025 – The World Bank has officially approved a substantial financial package for Burkina Faso. This includes a credit of 142 million euros (approximately 150 million US dollars) from the International Development Association (IDA)* and an additional grant of 17 million US dollars from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). These funds are […]
Mali launches HPV vaccine: a breakthrough in women’s health In a landmark initiative, the Malian government has incorporated the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization program as of early November. During a high-profile ceremony in Bamako, attended by dignitaries and international partners including Gavi and the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the […]
Why the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights must act on Burkina Faso The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (CADHP) faces a critical moment as it prepares to review Burkina Faso’s human rights record on October 23, 2024. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, urge the commission to prioritize urgent concerns […]