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Mali: Gold Mining Site in Sikasso Region Hit by Armed Group$

Armed attackers struck the Morila gold mine in southern Mali during the night of January 4 to January 5, 2026, causing material damage to the site, according to multiple sources. The mine is located in the Sikasso region, near Mali’s border with neighboring countries....

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...

Mali: Bamako Strikes Back as JNIM Expands Its Rule$

Mali’s military launched air raids in Ségou just days after jihadists announced new sharia‑based restrictions and widened their blockade. The standoff now defines who controls the roads, fuel, and daily life in central Mali.

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Sahel: Three Sahel States Join Forces in Northern Mali Offensive$

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—linking Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—has entered a new phase of joint military coordination as shared drone operations and intelligence networks converge on militant strongholds across Mali’s northeast.

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Sahel: The Demographic Tide Reshaping Mali’s Regional Balance$

Mali is entering a demographic turning point, with its population set to double by 2050. The country faces both the promise of a young, dynamic workforce and the risk of overwhelming its social and economic infrastructure.

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Sahel: Fever Outbreak Overwhelms Mauritanian Hospitals$

Hospitals in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou are reporting a surge of patients suffering from an unidentified fever that health experts say may be linked to the spread of Rift Valley fever across West Africa.

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