In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
The United States is significantly enhancing its diplomatic signals aimed at Niger, marking a notable increase in its strategic engagement within the Sahel. This intensified focus on Niamey follows earlier, similar diplomatic initiatives undertaken in both Mali and Burkina Faso. These concentrated efforts underscore Washington’s deliberate attempt to reassert its influence and reinforce vital security […]
Burkina Faso research partnership site Share: Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share Essential facts about Burkina Faso’s research partnership The Burkina Faso research partnership primarily involves the Muraz Centre of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in Bobo-Dioulasso and the International Research Centre for Health (CRIS/UO) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou. Key […]
Somalia teeters on the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised a stark alarm over Somalia’s deepening food crisis. With nearly 6.5 million people already battling severe food insecurity, the nation is grappling with a prolonged drought that is ravaging livelihoods and pushing communities to the brink. […]
Is the Niger reaching a groundbreaking health partnership with the United States or potentially compromising its digital sovereignty? This question has been circulating in diplomatic circles since the signing of a health cooperation protocol between the government of Niger and the US in Niamey on February 26, 2026. The agreement, valued at approximately $178 million […]
United States–Burkina Faso: a health agreement to fortify health security in the Sahel A five-year memorandum of understanding has been unveiled, elevating health security to a shared top priority. This framework aims to equip Burkina Faso with self-sufficient capabilities to confront infectious threats, simultaneously safeguarding the American populace. The initiative emphasizes local resilience, fostering robust […]
Burkina Faso’s health progress: WHO’s 2024–2025 report highlights resilience and care access The World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2024–2025 biennial report for Burkina Faso details significant accomplishments achieved amidst a complex landscape of security, humanitarian, and climatic adversities. A standout achievement is the nationwide expansion of the malaria vaccine across all 70 health districts, representing a […]
By late January 2026, Burkina Faso had entered a new political era—one where partisan politics no longer existed. On January 29, Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s government officially dissolved all political parties, including those that had once backed his 2022 coup d’état. While these parties had already been banned from operating since his rise to power, the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]