MEA RISK’s SHIELD & ALERT notifications: Access requires installing Shield & Alert mobile application. More info on S&A here or click here to signup and install

Sahel: Jihadist Attack Kills Local Prefect in Southwestern Niger$

A jihadist attack in Niger targeted the residence of the prefect (governor) of Torodi during the night of Sunday, January 4, into Monday, January 5. Torodi, the last major town before the border with Burkina Faso, lies roughly 30 miles south of Niamey. At least seven...

Europe’s New Migration Rules Shift Pressure South to North Africa$

The European Union’s revised migration framework, set to take effect in mid-2026, is already reshaping how migration is managed across the Mediterranean. Recent coordination meetings between North African states and Italy are part of the ongoing shift taking place in...

Mali: Diplomatic Rift Widens as France Expels Malian Envoys, Halts Counterterrorism Ties$

Diplomatic ties between Mali and France have sharply deteriorated after Mali detained a French national on coup-plotting charges, leading France to expel two Malian diplomats and suspend joint counterterrorism efforts. In response, Mali expelled five French embassy staff, ending a lengthy era of security cooperation between the two countries.

Read More

Niger: Arbitration Tribunal Sides With Orano on Uranium Stock, Escalating Niger Dispute$

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.

Read More

Sahel: Drone Incident Escalates Diplomatic Rift on Algeria–Mali Border$

Tensions between Algeria and Mali have deepened after Algeria rejected International Court of Justice jurisdiction over a disputed drone incident, halting legal mediation. The standoff, marked by sharp exchanges at the UN and ongoing suspension of diplomatic ties, underscores mounting mistrust and risks to regional stability in the Sahel.

Read More

Extraction Without Value: Mali’s Role in the Global Lithium Rush$

Mali’s first lithium mine shows how global demand for critical minerals can leave local communities behind. While China secures the raw materials it needs, Mali risks missing the chance to build jobs, industries, and real value at home.

Read More