In-depth English analysis and breaking news from the heart of West Africa's Sahel region.
A wave of concern has swept across Burkina Faso, particularly within the Muslim community and civil society, following the mysterious disappearance of Imam Mahmoud Barro. This influential religious leader from Bobo-Dioulasso, the nation’s second-largest city, has not been seen since March 31st. A week after his last public appearance, swirling rumors of abduction and the […]
military rule in Burkina Faso: junta leader dismisses democracy as incompatible with the nation The captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in Burkina Faso in September 2022, has made a bold statement: the people of Burkina Faso should “forget” democracy. In a televised address to the nation, he declared that Burkina Faso is “not a […]
Key developments In 2025, President Mahamat Idriss Déby solidified his grip on power following his victory in the 2024 presidential election, an outcome heavily criticized by the opposition due to alleged irregularities. Subsequent constitutional amendments approved in 2025 removed presidential term limits and extended each mandate from five to seven years. This effectively allows Mahamat […]
On December 7, 2025, a group of mutineers in Benin shocked the nation by declaring on national television that they had overthrown President Patrice Talon. However, their attempt to seize power was swiftly thwarted by the country’s armed forces, with decisive support from loyal military units. Just six days later, on December 13, hundreds of […]
UN experts have strongly criticized a recent legislative move in Mali that threatens fundamental political freedoms. A newly proposed bill, which seeks to dismantle existing protections for political participation, alongside a decree suspending political party activities indefinitely, has been deemed a severe violation of human rights by an independent UN working group. In a joint […]
Renforcer la protection des défenseur·e·x·s au moyen de lignes directrices diplomatiques 14 mars 2026 ISHR lance deux nouveaux outils interactifs visant à renforcer les initiatives diplomatiques en faveur des défenseur·e·x·s des droits humains : l’un s’adresse aux diplomates, l’autre aux défenseur·e·x·s.
The nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are frequently at the center of international discussions. Currently led by military figures who assumed control between 2020 and 2023, these three states share a common struggle: the fight against persistent terrorism and armed groups operating across their vast territories, which span nearly 2.8 million square kilometers. […]