African union summit faces criticism over coup leaders’ elections
Can the African Union truly silence the guns when those who seize power by force later stand in elections? The 39th AU summit in Addis Ababa wrapped up with a bold declaration: “silencing the guns” and a zero-tolerance policy for unconstitutional changes of government. But is this stance credible in practice? Paul-Simon Handy, a Cameroonian […]
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Jihadist violence escalates with deadly attack in Niger’s Tillabéri
A fresh wave of jihadist violence has struck Niger, leaving deep scars on the Tillabéri region. On 18 January, gunmen from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) stormed the village of Bossiye, executing 31 men and children in a brutal display of force. According to reports gathered by Human Rights Watch, around a […]
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Solar energy powers healthcare in northern Mali’s Niafounké hospital
In the Timbuktu region of northern Mali, MSF has recently equipped the Niafounké hospital with a modern solar panel installation. This transition to renewable energy strengthens the facility’s autonomy and ensures the stability of medical services in an isolated area frequently affected by insecurity. Overcoming energy instability in Niafounké Previously, the hospital was almost entirely […]
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Niger drone strike kills 17 civilians in Tillabéri
A military drone strike in Niger has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 17 civilian lives, including four children, and left 13 others injured in a crowded market in the village of Kokoloko, Tillabéri region, on January 6, 2026. The attack, which also claimed the lives of three Islamist fighters, has raised serious […]
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A boost for Mali’s health system: gavi-funded 4x4s arrive
The Ministry of Health and Social Development in Mali officially received 39 robust 4×4 all-terrain vehicles on Thursday, February 5, 2026. This significant delivery aims to fortify the nation’s health infrastructure and expand access to critical health services, especially vaccination programs, across Mali’s most vulnerable regions. The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of […]
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Security situation in Niger under president tiani
In an unprecedented assault, militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) targeted the heart of Niamey on the night of January 28 to 29. Dozens of fighters breached the city’s airport and the adjacent 101 military base, engaging in intense gunfire, torching military aircraft, and damaging civilian planes. A video released by […]
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Un calls for restoration of democratic freedoms in Burkina Faso
Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has issued a formal appeal to the government of Burkina Faso. He is urging the authorities to cease all restrictions on the country’s civic environment and reconsider the decision to outlaw political organizations. As West Africa Mali news outlets and regional observers monitor the situation, […]
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US shifts Sahel policy toward security and trade partnerships
This week’s visit by Nick Checker, head of the US State Department’s African Affairs Office, to Mali signals a renewed US presence in the Sahel. However, Washington is recalibrating its Sahel strategy along three key axes: a pivot toward trade-focused diplomacy—especially in minerals—a security realignment marked by reduced permanent military deployments, and a shift away […]
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Military juntas in west africa intensify repression amid democratic backsliding
Across West Africa and the Sahel in 2025, military-led governments have escalated their crackdown on civil liberties while consolidating power, according to the latest findings from regional and international monitors. Click to expand Image escalating authoritarianism in west africa’s Sahel In 2025, military juntas in the Sahel—including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—have doubled down on […]
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2026 global human rights report: Chad’s political and social challenges
Key political developments The 2024 presidential election in Chad, widely criticized by opposition groups for irregularities, paved the way for Mahamat Idriss Déby to consolidate power in 2025. Following his victory, constitutional amendments extended presidential terms from five to seven years and removed term limits entirely. This change effectively allows Mahamat Idriss Déby to remain […]
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Us military cooperation with Sahel military juntas after Russia pivot
In a significant shift in foreign policy, the United States has signaled its willingness to engage directly with military-led governments in the Sahel region—specifically Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—despite their pivot toward Russia and departure from traditional alliances with France and the West. The announcement came as Nick Checker, head of the U.S. State Department’s […]
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Niger junta leader blames France following Niamey airport assault
Tensions between the international community and the military government in Niger, which took control in 2023, continue to escalate. Following a significant security breach at the Niamey airport, the head of the junta expressed gratitude toward Russia for its military support while explicitly accusing the leaders of France, Bénin, and Côte d’Ivoire of orchestrating the […]
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