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The Latest Breaking News from Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso forces killed more than 130 civilians in March attack, Human Rights Watch says

The massacre by government forces and pro-government militias led to reprisal killings by Islamist fighters, according to the NGO.

Euronews

Burkina Faso army, militias killed 130 members of ethnic group, HRW says

Army aircraft were reportedly hovering above as the killings took place, showing command control of the operation.

Al Jazeera

Burkina Faso forces killed at least 100 civilians in a March attack, Human Rights Watch says

Human Rights Watch says at least 100 civilians in Burkina Faso were killed by government forces near the town of Solenzo in the western Boucle du Mouhoun region in an attack in March

The Independent UK

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Heartbreaking Reason Why An African Cardinal Doesn't Know His Age And May Be Dropped From Conclave

Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo is facing exclusion from the conclave vote, as a lack of record-keeping has resulted in the Cardinal not knowing whether he is 79 or 80, the cap for all candidates.

International Business Times UK

Burkina Faso and Mali’s fabulous flora: new plant life record released

The Illustrated Flora of Burkina Faso and Mali is the first comprehensive documentation of the remarkable plant diversity in these two west African countries.

The Conversation

Burkina Junta Rallies Supporters After Claimed Coup 'Plot'

Several thousand people rallied in support of Burkina Faso's ruling junta Wednesday, days after the military authorities said they had uncovered a "plot" to overthrow the government.

International Business Times

West African group Ecowas turns 50 amid struggle to stay united

Celebrations marking 50 years of the Economic Community of West African States – known as Ecowas – began in Ghana this week, but the mood was far from jubilant. The region’s main political and economic bloc finds itself at a crossroads after losing three key members.

Radio France Internationale

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West Africa’s bold trade experiment turns 50: an Ecowas report card

The Economic Community of West African states (Ecowas) is set to mark 50 years in May 2025. It was established in 1975 by 16 member states. Though seven of the founding leaders had ascended to power through coups d’état, the initial focus was economic growth and regional trade and cooperation.

The Conversation

Burkina Faso junta says foiled plot to sow 'total chaos'

Burkina Faso's military junta claimed Monday to have foiled a "major plot in the making" aimed at "sowing total chaos", saying it believed the masterminds were in neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire.

Radio France Internationale

Algeria closes airspace to Mali aircraft as drone row escalates

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger recall ambassadors to Algeria amid deteriorating relations and shooting down of Mali drone.

Al Jazeera

Sahel alliance recalls ambassadors from Algeria after the downing of a Malian drone

A military alliance between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has withdrawn their respective ambassadors from Algeria in response to the downing of a Malian drone this week

The Independent UK

Sahel ministers in Russia for talks after breaking with western allies

The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are in Moscow for their first official talks with Russia, as the three Sahelian countries work to strengthen ties with Moscow after cutting relations with France and its allies.

Radio France Internationale

Livestock Theft Is Central To Jihadist Economy In West Africa

Musa was asleep in the village of Dusuman in northeast Nigeria when he was awoken by a sharp burst of gunfire and Boko Haram stole his main source of livelihood -- his livestock.

International Business Times

Burkina Faso pardons 21 soldiers involved in failed 2015 coup

Twenty-one soldiers, convicted for their role in the failed coup d'état in Burkina Faso in September 2015, have received a presidential pardon.

Radio France Internationale

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Radio France Internationale

Niger junta sets out five-year transition to constitutional rule

Niger's ruling junta said there would be a five-year transition to constitutional rule starting from Wednesday, in an announcement during a signing ceremony for a new transition charter.

Radio France Internationale

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso withdraw from French language body

As French-speaking countries celebrate International Francophone Day, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have this week announced their withdrawal from the International Organisation of Francophonie, which organises the event as part of its mission to celebrate French language around the world.

The Independent UK

Video of Burkina Faso massacre appears to implicate government-allied militia, watchdog says

Human Rights Watch says video footage circulating on social networks of a recent civilian massacre in Burkina Faso appears to implicate government-allied militia

Al Jazeera

How drones killed nearly 1,000 civilians in Africa in three years

Use of unmanned aircraft has surged across Africa, often resulting in mass civilian deaths, new report finds.

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The Conversation

Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré is making waves in west Africa. Who is he?

Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the interim leader of Burkina Faso, having taken over the position following a coup which he led against Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba in September 2022. The 37-year-old captain had supported Damiba, his commanding officer, in a putsch earlier that year against former president Roch Marc…

The Conversation

Is Nigeria in danger of a coup? What the country should do to avoid one – political analyst

African countries have had nine successful military coups since 2020. In west and central Africa, there have been at least 10 coup attempts in the same period. Those of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Guinea were successful. A number of social, economic and political factors have been identified as…

The Conversation

Ecowas breakup could push up food prices and worsen hunger in west Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) lost three of its founding members on 29 January 2025. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger comprised 16% of the bloc’s population of 424 million and 7% of its economy.

The Guardian - UK

‘What a project, what a challenge!’: Africa’s leading architect gives Thomas Sankara a proper place of rest

Pritzker prize-winner Francis Kéré has designed a memorial to honour ‘Africa’s Che Guevara’, Burkina Faso’s visionary president who was assassinated in 1987

The Conversation

Why is there so much gold in west Africa?

Militaries that have taken power in Africa’s Sahel region – notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – have put pressure on western mining firms for a fairer distribution of revenue from the lucrative mining sector.

The Conversation

Power vacuum in west Africa’s Sahel: 3 ways China could fill the gap as west exits

With France fast losing its influence in west Africa’s Sahel region and an unpredictable US president in power, will China fill the vacuum?

The Conversation

Why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s new plan to tackle extremist violence is likely to fail

The military-led nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on January 29. They had announced their intention to leave one year ago, shortly after establishing a new defence pact called the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

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