Shield and Alert: Sahel Bound

When jihadists in Mali announced they would blockade the ancient city of Timbuktu, residents thought it was just another intimidation tactic. But a month and a half later, the tens of thousands of inhabitants remain almost completely cut off from the world with the...

Lines of hundreds of trucks stretch back many kilometres close to Benin's northern border with Niger, their cargo wasting and their drivers going broke after weeks stranded at the closed frontier. Almost two months since a coup ousted Niger's president, the trucks...

Niger’s junta dispatched army reinforcements in Gaya, a town located on the border with Benin, some 300 km from Niamey. The increased military presence is likely connected to the border dispute between Niger and Benin on the island of Lété, a conflict that dates back...

An attack on two military camps in northern Mali claimed by armed rebel groups killed five soldiers, while 11 others are missing, the army said late Monday.  It was the latest attack against army positions in northern Mali, which, in addition to suffering frequent...