In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through defenders of fundamental freedoms, over forty journalists from Burkina Faso recently completed a military-style training program near Ouagadougou. Marketed as a course in ‘patriotism,’ the initiative conceals a far more troubling agenda: the systematic re-education and subjugation of independent journalism. From civic education to ideological conformity The […]
Damien Glez Political cartoonist and editorialist of Franco-Burkinabè heritage 2025 Cameroon presidential election Months after Cameroon’s presidential election, the judicial process for those detained amid post-poll unrest remains mired in delays. The prolonged proceedings have sparked growing concerns over due process and the fate of individuals still held without resolution. Excessive Delays in Court Proceedings […]
Nestled in the heart of the Middle Atlas, the town of Azrou has long stood as a silent witness to Morocco’s cultural and political transformations. But its most enduring legacy lies in the halls of a single institution: the former Collège Berbère d’Azrou. Established under French colonial rule, this school was designed to cultivate a […]
Tchad Chad’s presidential pardon: a tool for political control or national healing? President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s recent address marking Chad’s independence anniversary on August 11 reflects a carefully crafted political strategy. His speech blends republican authority with calculated magnanimity, a classic tactic to shape public perception after years in power. By spotlighting systemic issues […]
Doctoral thesis defense on contractual freedom in OHADA cooperative law held in Lomé We are pleased to announce the successful defense of a doctoral thesis in private law by Mr. Sahalim AKAN on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The defense took place in Room N°1 of the LTAG at the University of Lomé, Togo, focusing on […]
The official establishment of Benin’s first Senate on July 30, 2026, followed by the election of former President Patrice Talon as its president on August 6, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s institutional evolution. Born from the constitutional revision of December 17, 2025, this second parliamentary chamber introduces a new dynamic to Benin’s political […]
When General Abdourahamane Tiani seized power on July 26, 2023, his announcement of a military takeover was framed by three core promises: restoring national sovereignty, eradicating terrorism, and ending foreign interference in Niger’s domestic affairs. This narrative, amplified by regime-aligned media and pro-sovereignty movements, struck a chord with many Nigeriens, exhausted by chronic insecurity and […]
In a dramatic turn of events, a once-powerful figure in Togo’s political landscape has taken extraordinary measures to voice dissent. Marguerite Gnakadé, a former defense minister and longtime confidante of the president, has entered a hunger strike in detention, protesting conditions she describes as inhumane. After nearly a year behind bars, her protest underscores the […]
Government Response to RSF Accusations Highlights Persistent Lack of Transparency The Burkina Faso administration persists in its pattern of deflecting criticism rather than addressing it transparently, as evidenced by the most recent episode involving allegations from Reporters Without Borders (RSF). During the national flag-raising ceremony on August 3, Communication Minister Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo delivered a […]
When President Romuald Wadagni granted freedom to a man condemned to two centuries of imprisonment, he did more than merely issue a pardon. He set a clear direction for his burgeoning mandate: one where justice remains resolute in the face of transgressions, yet capable of integrating a human dimension when circumstances warrant. Beyond a simple […]
The final days of July 2026 have etched another tragic chapter into Niger’s recent history. On July 31, coordinated assaults by the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISIS-S) claimed the lives of at least 38 soldiers from the country’s defence and security forces (FDS). The first strike targeted the town of N’Guigmi in the Diffa […]
The Paradox of Power: How Repression Consumes Its Own Architects Burkina Faso’s political landscape under Captain Ibrahim Traoré has exposed a troubling paradox: the tools of repression designed to silence dissent are increasingly being turned against those who once championed the regime. What began as a crackdown on traditional opponents—political dissidents and critical voices—has expanded […]