In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
During his official visit to Ankara, General Abdourahamane Tchiani disrupted conventional diplomatic norms by disclosing that Recep Tayyip Erdogan had authorized the delivery of military equipment to Niger prior to any financial settlement. While Niamey’s leadership presents this as a gesture of solidarity, the deviation from standard international arms trade protocols reveals the underlying mechanics […]
Russian clandestine air operations deepen influence across the Sahel The Kremlin has quietly established an aerial logistics network in the Sahel that operates far beyond the visible deployment of Africa Corps paramilitaries. While international attention focuses on uniformed troops, Moscow has constructed a sophisticated infrastructure designed to project power and gather intelligence across West and […]
Under the leadership of President Romuald Wadagni, the Republic of Bénin is embarking on a bold new chapter in its national development strategy. Central to this vision is the revitalization of long-standing cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, marked by the resumption of large-scale infrastructure initiatives across Cotonou and key northern regions. Strategic infrastructure: […]
The jihadist group Boko Haram has released more than four hundred captives in northeastern Nigeria, a region where the Islamist network continues to defy federal authority despite nearly fifteen years of military campaigns. This large-scale liberation, unprecedented in recent times, occurs amidst a resurgence of activity from armed factions vying for dominance around Lake Chad. […]
COMPLICATIONS Mali supply corridors hit by disruptions from Senegal, Morocco and Guinea Transport Challenges on multiple corridors serving Mali are reshaping the habits of regional transporters. Beyond calls to suspend certain routes and concerns voiced by professional associations, disruptions on trade arteries are now impacting freight costs, delivery times, and the organisation of logistics chains […]
The Ténéré, a vast and mesmerizing expanse of sand, conceals a grim reality beneath its beauty. In northern Niger, yet another year of human tragedy unfolds, unseen and unheard by the Western world. While the Mediterranean’s treacherous waters dominate headlines, the perilous Sahara crossing emerges as an equally deadly journey for thousands of migrants seeking […]
Mali : un agent français condamné à 20 ans de prison pour « atteinte à la sûreté de l’État » Actus. La justice malienne a condamné un agent des renseignements français à 20 ans de prison. Paris dénonce des accusations « sans fondement » dans un contexte de fortes tensions diplomatiques avec Bamako. Publié le […]
french intelligence operative sentenced in Mali, Paris condemns ‘unfounded allegations’ Le ministère des Affaires étrangères à Paris ( AFP / CLEMENS BILAN ) A French intelligence operative, holding diplomatic status and detained for nearly ten months in Bamako, has been sentenced by Malian courts to 20 years in prison. The conviction, handed down for “undermining […]
A French national, apprehended in August 2025 by Mali’s ruling military junta and charged with conspiring against the nation’s institutions, has been formally convicted by the criminal chamber of the specialized anti-terrorism judicial body. Malian judicial authorities have imposed a 20-year prison sentence on a French intelligence operative, who held diplomatic status, for “endangering state […]
Bénin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni, has concluded a significant diplomatic outreach across West Africa, culminating in Côte d’Ivoire. The extensive journey saw him visit Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo before his final stop in Abidjan. This concluding phase, highlighted by an audience with President Alassane Ouattara, underscores a strategic diplomatic push […]
The provisional detention of Cameroonian opposition figure Djeukam Tchameni has been prolonged for another six months, a decision immediately challenged by his legal team. Mr. Tchameni, an active supporter of Issa Tchiroma Bakary during the presidential election on October 12, 2025, was apprehended shortly before the official results were announced. He faces charges of undermining […]
The prominent commodity trader, Gunvor, finds itself once again under criminal investigation in Switzerland, this time concerning a substantial oil contract with Gabon, estimated at approximately one billion dollars. The proceedings, spearheaded by the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office, are meticulously examining the conditions under which the agreement for Gabonese crude oil lifting was awarded, alongside […]