1Notify Bound

Niger’s government has dissolved 400 private security firms under new regulations aimed at formalizing industry oversight and raising operational standards. The move leaves thousands of workers facing layoffs and signals a major shift toward stricter licensing, compliance, and government supervision in the sector.

An international tribunal has ruled Niger must stop selling or transferring uranium produced by Somaïr, as French firm Orano claims rights to stockpiled material after the mine’s nationalization. The September 23 ICSID order temporarily freezes the disputed uranium assets until the legal case is resolved.

Mauritania and Senegal are responding to a Rift Valley Fever outbreak that has killed 10 people. Health authorities, with WHO support, are boosting surveillance and urging safe handling of livestock and animal products to contain the virus.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison and fined €100,000 for conspiracy in the alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign. The Paris court’s ruling, immediately enforceable, marks Sarkozy’s second prison sentence and further diminishes prospects of a political comeback.