In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
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 […]
Key achievements Significant progress was recorded between 2018 and 2024, leading to the following outcomes: Expansion of essential medical care: In both Mali and Mauritania, health initiatives reached over 5 million individuals, half of whom were women. This performance far exceeded the original target of 3.65 million people. Local clinics in the targeted areas saw […]
The year 2025 emerged as a transformative period for Burkina Faso’s healthcare system. Despite persistent national security and economic challenges, the health sector witnessed remarkable strides across infrastructure development, advanced medical treatments, and improved financial access to essential services. A landmark achievement in 2025 was the successful execution of the nation’s inaugural kidney transplant. This […]
In recent years, West Africa has seen a worrying surge in military coups, with Benin becoming the latest country to experience such an attempt. On a recent Sunday, soldiers briefly seized control of state television, declaring the overthrow of President Patrice Talon and the dissolution of government institutions. Within hours, however, authorities confirmed the coup […]
On Sunday, December 7, military personnel appeared on Bénin’s national television, declaring they had “removed from office” President Patrice Talon. However, sources close to the president swiftly countered, confirming his safety and asserting that the regular army was re-establishing command across the nation. President Talon was slated to conclude his leadership of this compact West […]
Accueil International Afrique Tentative de coup d’État au Bénin, la présidence dit garder le contrôle Des militaires ont annoncé dimanche matin à la télévision publique du Bénin avoir “démis de ses fonctions” le président Patrice Talon, dont l’entourage a affirmé à l’AFP qu’il était en sécurité et que l’armée reprenait le contrôle. AFP Agence Publié […]
In Niamey, Dr Jean Baptiste Nikiema has officially assumed his position as the new Resident Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Niger. The diplomat presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, His Excellence Bakary Yaou Sangaré. This formal ceremony, attended by WHO staff and ministry officials, highlights […]
unhcr urges global support for four million displaced in the Sahel The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued an urgent appeal for robust international assistance to bolster its operations across the Sahel. Currently, close to four million individuals are displaced within Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and neighboring states. This represents a staggering […]
Empowering Midwives in Mali: How Skilled Care Saves Lives Bamako – Kadidia, a 19-year-old student in Bamako, once hesitated to discuss contraception. “I was afraid of judgment,” she admits. “People in my neighborhood might talk if they knew.” Like many young women in Mali, she faced social, cultural, and structural barriers to sexual and reproductive […]
Mali: escalating repression and authoritarian drift under military rule Human rights The UN’s top human rights official has issued a stark warning about Mali’s deteriorating political landscape, where democratic processes are eroding in favor of an increasingly authoritarian regime. Since seizing power in 2020, Mali’s military leadership has systematically consolidated control under General Assimi Goïta, […]
Niger: crackdown on justice sector unions and judicial independence under threat 21/08/2025 Déclaration Niger Défenseurs des droits humains Tingey Injury Law Firm / Unsplash The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a collaborative initiative of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), strongly condemns the dissolution […]
Click to expand Image (Nairobi) – Human Rights Watch today urged Nigerien authorities to immediately release former President Mohamed Bazoum, who has now been held arbitrarily for two years since a military coup. His continued detention marks a significant disregard for the rule of law in Niger. On July 26, 2023, military officers from the […]