In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
health initiatives Nutrition addressing malnutrition in Mali with community-led solutions Malnutrition remains a critical public health challenge in Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa with over 15 million residents. Despite ongoing prevention efforts, pockets of severe malnutrition persist across several regions. The Malian government has identified malnutrition as a top priority due to its […]
Human rights situation in Mali: a crisis deepening in 2025 In 2025, Mali witnessed a severe deterioration in fundamental freedoms, with authorities imposing stricter controls over freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Political opponents and civil society members faced arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, or were held without legal justification. Government forces, their allies, and […]
Dr. François Rubona, the medical coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Niger, provides an update on the current measles epidemic. Since February, MSF teams have initiated vaccination campaigns across several regions of the country in response to the early emergence of measles hotspots. How severe is the measles epidemic in Niger? This year has […]
Burkina Faso urgent call for protection: addressing grave fulani human rights violations in Burkina Faso Declaration As the 45th session of the Human Rights Council nears its conclusion, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and its partners within the SOS-Torture Network are urging the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, along with all […]
Burkina Faso intensifies fight against polio with nationwide vaccination drive The Ministry of Health in Burkina Faso, in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched an urgent polio vaccination campaign targeting seven regions across the country. This initiative follows a recent detection of polio cases and aims to protect over 2 […]
new pediatric unit in Koutiala hospital, Mali pediatric care Explore the new pediatric facility in Koutiala, Mali, where medical teams provide critical care for young patients. Since 2009, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has operated a pediatric program in Koutiala, southeastern Mali, to combat child mortality through preventive and curative services. To enhance care for hospitalized […]
A significant constitutional overhaul was enacted in Benin on November 1st, introducing several pivotal changes. Among these is the establishment of a “presidential ticket,” where the President of the Republic and a Vice-President are jointly elected. This joint election requires an absolute majority of votes over two rounds of polling. Further amendments include the abolition […]
Niger faces ongoing measles and meningitis vaccination challenges Miriam Alía, Vaccination and Outbreak Response Manager for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), examines the meningitis C and measles outbreaks that have affected Niger since early 2018. What triggered the meningitis C and measles outbreaks in Niger? Niger has faced recurrent outbreaks of meningitis C and measles, two […]