Sahel

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Sahel: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Announce Withdrawal from ECOWAS BlocF

In a significant development, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have decided to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, following a prolonged disagreement over ECOWAS's rejection of military rule in West Africa. The Sahel nations, Burkina...

Sahel: Wagner Group and Mali army engaging in mass murder and forced displacement of northern populationsF

The Wagner Group is wracking havoc in northern Mali, with actions that hint on ongoing efforts to depopulate the region. Human rights abuses against local population are being committed by both the Malian national army and its Russian contractors from the Wagner...

Russia-Africa: From weapon sales to economic tiesF

By Arezki Daoud: Has the war in Ukraine deter Russia from engagement in Africa? Certainly not! We know on the security front, a growing number of African states are turning to Russia to supply them with military equipment and security services, judging by the...

Sahel: Russia to experience boost of its influence in the SahelF

By Arezki Daoud: Russia’s influence in the Sahel is about to expand further with more cooperation deals announced by Niger and Russia during the ongoing visit to Moscow of Niger’s Prime Minister and other senior officials. Speaking to Russian media, Niger’s Defense...

How Sahel populations reject ECOWAS ($)$

The West African group of ECOWAS is supposed to play the role of mediator in regional crises, with a combination of a stick-and-carrot strategy. Regional leaders should be busy intervening constructively to prevent crises and propose remediation steps. However, as in...

Sahel: Niger looking for alternative partners to France and the westF

A major Nigerian delegation traveled to Moscow on Monday, 15 January 2024, in a tour that will visit Serbia, Turkey and Iran, in a bid to distant Niger from France and help it gain new partners. [button...

Mali: How insurgents are in total control in the north of the countryF

By Amaury Hauchard Security forces in the Menaka region of northeastern Mali are struggling with a kaleidoscope of militia groups as they strive to bring order to the violence-torn area. Almost every important armed group in Mali has a foothold in Menaka, from the...

Burkina Faso: Anti-France sentiment in Burkina Faso creates operational challenges for French troops in the SahelF

By Armel Baily A French military convoy heading for Mali remained blocked in Burkina Faso on Thursday after being hampered by protests. The convoy, comprising several dozen vehicles, is heading for a French base in Gao in the violence-torn centre of Mali. It first has...

Niger: Unable to get protection from the government, Niger villagers are now forming militia groupsF

By Boureima Hama Abdoulaye casts a questioning eye over the passengers of a car that has pulled up at the entrance to his village in western Niger. Slung over the shoulder of his long and slender frame are a bow and a quiver of arrows -- the only weapon he has against...

Burkina Faso: 14 killed in army-jihadists clash in ThiouF

Three soldiers and 11 suspected jihadists were killed when an army unit came under fire in northern Burkina Faso, the military said on Thursday. The detachment in Thiou, in the northern province of Yatenga, was attacked early Wednesday, military headquarters said in...