Mali’s shifting security calculus: why Bamako seeks US aerial intelligence despite Russian ties
Behind the scenes: Mali’s quiet pivot toward Washington The partnership between Mali and Russia, once hailed as an unbreakable alliance, is showing unexpected cracks. While Bamako hasn’t formally severed ties with Moscow, the Malian junta is quietly but decisively exploring alternatives—particularly with Washington. The driving force behind this shift isn’t ideological alignment but a pragmatic […]
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Nigeria’s presidential election: unpacking the police’s behind-the-scenes security strategy
The upcoming Nigeria presidential election has thrust the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) into the spotlight—not just for its traditional role in crowd control, but for its behind-the-scenes strategy to safeguard a process many Nigerians fear could be derailed by violence, fraud, and deep-rooted political tensions. The stakes could not be higher. With Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s […]
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Mali’s north in crisis: how targeted water strikes left 43 dead and pastoral life in ruins
The hidden strategy behind Kidal’s wells: why water became a weapon of war Between September 15 and 16, 2026, concentrated airstrikes and ground incursions by Malian forces—backed by foreign paramilitary units—slammed into vital water infrastructure across the Kidal region. These attacks weren’t random; they were deliberate blows aimed at the lifelines of a desert society, […]
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Benin’s AA- rating upgrade: market reactions, public debate and what lies ahead
Benin has crossed a significant threshold in its quest for financial independence and economic recognition. On September 15, Bloomfield Investment Corporation raised the country’s long-term sovereign rating from A+ to AA- on its local currency scale, moving Benin into the symbolic and strategic “investment grade” category. This decision by the Abidjan-based agency validates the strength […]
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Brigitte Tchede at the African University Games 2026: what her Cairo double really changes for Benin
The 2026 African University Games in Cairo are still unfolding, but Benin already has a story to tell. Brigitte Tchede, a Porto-Novo native, has claimed two medals in two different events, opening Benin’s account at the 12th edition of the continental university sports gathering. Her performances have sparked debate about what this double podium means […]
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BURKINA FASO : LES BLINDÉS « EN PIÈCES DE LEGO » À L’ÉPREUVE DU JNIM
À Mahlou et Winten, les revendications du JNIM mettent à l’épreuve les blindés de fortune présentés par Ibrahim Traoré, rappelant que la puissance militaire se mesure surtout sur le terrain.
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Benin Senate budget 2027: council members pass spending plan as public debate takes shape
Benin Benin Senate budget 2027: council members pass spending plan as public debate takes shape The upper house of Benin’s Parliament formally approved its operating and investment budget for the 2027 fiscal year during a plenary session held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at its temporary headquarters in Les Cocotiers, Cotonou. The decision, which followed […]
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Baleine deal fallout: how Ivory Coast is reacting to SOCAR’s 10% entry
Côte d’Ivoire Baleine deal fallout: how Ivory Coast is reacting to SOCAR’s 10% entry The completed transfer of a 10% stake in the Baleine oil and gas project from Eni to SOCAR has triggered a wave of reactions across Ivory Coast’s energy sector. The Azerbaijani company’s debut in African upstream operations, with Eni retaining 37.25%, […]
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After the failed mutiny in Niger, Barmou’s house arrest fuels debate and reshapes the junta’s next move
The aftermath of the failed mutiny in Niamey has moved from the barracks to the public square, and the detention of General Moussa Salaou Barmou is now the most debated subject in Niger’s capital. A man who helped build the junta that seized power in 2023, Barmou has been relieved of his duties as chief […]
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Lomé accords on Burkina Faso refugees: cautious reactions as the hard part begins
Three tripartite agreements signed in Lomé on 11 September have now set the terms for a possible return of Burkinabè refugees hosted in Benin, Ghana and Togo. The reaction across the region has been measured rather than triumphant: governments welcome a framework, humanitarian actors stress that no movement has been decided, and refugees themselves are […]
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Benin’s €30m Cotonou-Niamey bet: from applause to accountability
Benin’s push to turn the Cotonou-Niamey road into a dependable logistics artery is entering a new phase: the applause is fading, and the hard questions are starting. With roughly €30 million committed by the European Union and Belgium’s development agency Enabel, the focus is shifting from ribbon-cutting to whether the corridor can survive political pressure, […]
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Mecca drone interception: regional reactions harden as Riyadh weighs its next move
What happened in the skies south of Mecca Saudi air defence units intercepted and destroyed an armed drone in the airspace south of Mecca, an operation confirmed by the military coalition led by Riyadh. According to the coalition command, the aircraft was detected and neutralised before it could reach the tightly protected air corridor surrounding […]
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