In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
Responding to the enforced disappearance of Samira Sabou, a Nigerien journalist and blogger who was abducted from her home on September 30 by masked individuals identifying themselves as security service members, Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, stated: We are deeply concerned by the enforced disappearance […]
Following the military coup that unfolded in Niger on July 26, 2023, international reactions were swift. Prominent organizations such as ECOWAS, the AU, and nations including the USA, France, and Russia, quickly articulated their positions. Within Bénin, the involvement of President Patrice Talon and hints of a potential armed intervention have not been universally welcomed. […]
The ongoing political turmoil in Niger, coupled with the looming threat of military intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the Nigerien coup leaders, has deeply concerned Bénin’s opposition party, Les Démocrates. In a press release issued on Saturday, August 5, 2023, the party’s president, Eric Houndété, stated that the military […]
In Niamey, the President of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), Maty El Hadj Moussa, inaugurated a regional conference focused on human rights protection mechanisms within the volatile Sahel region. The summit specifically addresses the security challenges faced in the “three borders” area encompassing Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. High-level attendees included the Deputy Secretary […]
Global outcry: 30 organizations demand end to press freedom violations in Mali and Burkina Faso Newspaper vendor showcasing headlines about Burkina Faso’s January 22, 2022 coup ©Olympie de Maismont – AFP Organization: RSF_fr RSF_Inter Share: facebook twitter linkedin Email Under the leadership of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), nearly 30 human rights and media organizations have […]
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 […]