In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
Togo’s political narrative contains a pivotal year, 2005, which profoundly impacts national memory and fosters division. While some characterize this period as initiating a “new era,” international assessments and victim accounts paint a starkly different picture: one of authority seized through brutal suppression, specifically targeting southern communities, predominantly of the Ewé ethnicity. The “constitutional coup”: […]
As citizens across Togo anxiously await relief from escalating living costs and persistent power outages, President of the Council Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé opted for a journey to the snow-capped peaks of Kirghizistan. This expedition, beyond its exotic appeal, has sparked widespread national bewilderment. Amidst shadowy diplomatic maneuvers and a noticeable absence of concrete outcomes, this […]
Essential strategies to safeguard human rights defenders during crises In partnership with national human rights coalitions across Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone, ISHR presents a comprehensive guide outlining best practices to protect human rights defenders and ensure their critical work continues amid crises. The enforcement of restrictive measures and other policies […]
As Mali grapples with severe instability, its regional partners appear to be looking elsewhere. Neither the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — intended to provide a collective security response for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — nor ECOWAS, which Bamako has exited, seems capable of exerting significant influence. Amidst official silences, pro forma condemnations, and […]
In May 2026, the delicate balance of purchasing power across West Africa faces fresh strain. As households endeavor to safeguard their savings against persistent inflationary pressures, a stark reality emerges at fuel stations: a significant divergence in pricing has materialized between Côte d’Ivoire and Bénin. Côte d’Ivoire: The paradox of a producing nation Following a […]
Understanding Russia’s security involvement in Mali and the Sahel Russia’s expanding military partnerships in West Africa’s Sahel zone are drawing increasing attention as regional security challenges intensify. Mali’s security crisis and Russia’s shifting military support Following a coordinated assault by armed groups in multiple Malian cities including Bamako, military leader Assimi Goïta declared the situation […]
The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (Jnim) poses a direct threat to Bamako. As this Al-Qaïda-affiliated jihadist group closes in, the Malian capital is at risk of falling, paving the way for the group’s ambition to establish an Islamic emirate in the heart of the Sahel. Positioned at the gates of Bamako, Jnim is on the […]
The legal predicament of Kemi Seba intensifies as Benin formally requests his extradition. Following his apprehension in South Africa for violations of immigration law, activist Kemi Seba is now confronting a more severe legal challenge. The government of Benin has initiated proceedings to secure his extradition, citing outstanding arrest warrants related to charges of terrorism […]
From leading voice to persona non grata: the fall of kemi seba Once a prominent figure in Africa’s identity politics, Kémi Séba now faces a stark reality: the very movement he championed has turned its back on him. His arrest in Pretoria, South Africa, in April 2026 and the looming threat of extradition to Benin […]
As the media spotlight intensifies on Kemi Seba’s arrest in South Africa and the unfolding extradition proceedings, a digital storm of rumors and audio clips has taken hold. However, looking past the legal and political friction, a vital question persists: in which jurisdiction will Kemi Seba be treated with the most respect, both as a […]
The Côte d’Ivoire stands as one of West Africa’s most vibrant economies, a growth trajectory deeply rooted in its agricultural sector. At independence, agriculture accounted for nearly half of the country’s GDP. While this contribution has since declined to 15.9% in 2024, the sector remains vital—employing 46% of the workforce directly and driving 51.5% of […]
Each year, the release of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) serves as a stark barometer for the state of public governance globally. The report, made public on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, was no exception. The findings are alarming: far from receding, corruption is advancing on a global scale, even within nations boasting robust democratic […]