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The Latest Breaking News from ECOWAS

US strikes on Nigeria set 'deeply troubling precedent' for African governance

When the United States launched airstrikes on northern Nigeria in late December, it said it had taken out Islamic State jihadists – at Abuja's request – to stop them killing Christians. Yet experts have criticised Washington's claims that Christians are being massacred in Nigeria, a narrative promoted by the American…

Radio France Internationale

Islamic State claims attack on international airport and airbase in Niger

Motorcycle-riding militants launch strikes using heavy weaponry and drones, damaging planes belonging to Ivorian carrier and Togolese airline

The Guardian - UK

France backs Benin after foiled coup as Ecowas warns of rising instability

France has confirmed it provided surveillance, observation and logistical backing to Benin’s armed forces during the weekend’s attempted coup, stepping in at the request of the authorities in Cotonou as loyalist troops moved to regain control.

Radio France Internationale

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West African bloc says region is in a state of emergency amid surge in coups, insecurity

Coups and attempted coups in West Africa, along with escalating security challenges, have left the region in a state of emergency, according to a regional official

The Independent UK

Nigerian troops held in Burkina Faso after ‘unfriendly’ emergency landing

Unauthorised touchdown comes less than 24 hours after Nigerian forces intervened in attempted coup in Benin

The Guardian - UK

Guinea-Bissau coup: election uncertainty has triggered military takeovers before

Guinea-Bissau has had nine attempted coups and five successful ones since its independence in September 1973. Salah Ben Hammou, a researcher with a focus on the politics of military coups, explains that the coup on 26 November 2025 appears to have followed earlier patterns of military intervention. It undermines Guinea-Bissau’s…

The Conversation

Benin’s failed coup: three factors behind the takeover attempt

Military elements attempted to topple Benin’s government in early December 2025. However, unlike other coups across the Sahel and west Africa since 2020, this bid triggered a military response from Benin’s neighbours.

The Conversation

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Benin coup leader's location and fate of hostages unknown after failed takeover

The apparent leader of a failed coup in Benin is on the run and the fate of hostages remains unclear a day after a group of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government of the West African nation

The Independent UK

Africa’s power grabs are rising – the AU’s mixed response is making things worse

Hardly a month goes by without news of another unconstitutional change of government on the African continent.

The Conversation

West Africa's Latest Coup Attempt: Benin Soldiers Storm State TV Before Being Crushed by Loyalist Forces

Soldiers stormed Benin's state TV to oust President Patrice Talon, but loyalists crushed the coup. Fourteen, including Lt Col Pascal Tigri, were arrested in West Africa's latest failed power grab.

International Business Times UK

Troops and warplanes deployed in Benin after ‘failed coup attempt’

West African Ecowas forces sent to country after group of soldiers announced dissolution of government on state TV

The Guardian - UK

Benin interior minister says military coup attempt foiled by loyalist troops

Benin’s interior minister said a coup plot, announced by a group of soldiers on state-run television earlier on Sunday, has been foiled. Benin is the latest in a string of coups plotted across west Africa over the past few weeks.

Euronews

Guinea-Bissau electoral commission says poll results ‘destroyed’ in coup

Guinea-Bissau's electoral commission says that it cannot publish the results of last week's contested election as the vote counts have been destroyed in an attack. The military took control of the country a day before the provisional results were due to be announced.

Radio France Internationale

West African bloc delegation arrives in Guinea-Bissau for talks with military coup leaders

ECOWAS delegation has arrived in Guinea-Bissau on Monday, as the military government which seized power in the country banned all demonstrations, strikes and activities regarded as threat to peace and stability

The Independent UK

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Radio France Internationale

Gunmen storm party headquarters as military cements power in Guinea-Bissau

Two of Guinea-Bissau's main political parties saw their headquarters attacked by armed men on Saturday as the military continues to establish its grip on power following a coup earlier this week. Party officials say they fear an attempt to plant weapons in preparation for bringing false charges against them.

Radio France Internationale

Guinea-Bissau’s deposed president flees to Senegal as UN condemns latest coup

Guinea-Bissau’s ousted president has found refuge in neighbouring Senegal following a military power grab, drawing condemnation from the United Nations, Ecowas and the African Union.

The Independent UK

Deposed Guinea-Bissau president Embaló arrives in neighboring Senegal a day after coup

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced a new junta leader, cementing a forceful takeover of power that began after a disputed presidential election and led to deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embaló departing for neighboring Senegal

The Guardian - UK

How al-Qaida-linked jihadist group JNIM is bringing Mali to its knees

Political instability and fuel shortages caused by rebel group is driving Mali to brink of becoming Islamist republic

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The Conversation

Côte d'Ivoire’s elections have already been decided: Ouattara will win and democracy will lose

Even before the ballot, the 25 October presidential polls in Côte d'Ivoire can already be described as a loss to democracy and democratic values. Incumbent president Alassane Ouattara is running for a fourth term. With his two main contenders barred from participating, the president will most likely win by a…

Radio France Internationale

Guinea votes on new constitution as junta leader eyes presidency

A long-awaited constitutional referendum gets under way in Guinea on Sunday, and is set to test whether the country is moving towards democracy or further entrenching military rule.

Radio France Internationale

Five years after the 2020 coup, where is Mali today?

When Mali’s military staged a first coup on 18 August 2020, they said they were not planning on holding onto power and promised elections. But after a second coup that overthrew the transitional civilian government in 2021, the military is still in charge. Five years on, the country finds itself…

Radio France Internationale

Ghana declares mourning after ministers killed in helicopter crash

Ghana has declared three days of national mourning after two government ministers were killed in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday.

Radio France Internationale

Sahel countries navigate uncertainty following split from Ecowas bloc

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso face the task of untangling themselves from West Africa’s main regional bloc, Ecowas, after officially cutting ties this week. The six-month window to reverse their withdrawal expired on Tuesday. With no sign of a return, both sides must work out what the split means for…

The Guardian - UK

‘The matter is in his hands alone’: president of Sierra Leone urged to ban FGM as court rules it tantamount to torture

The Ecowas court of justice has ordered the West African country to criminalise female genital mutilation after hearing the case of a woman brutally forced to undergo the practice

International Business Times

'Human Shield': Niger's Ousted President Held By Junta

President Mohamed Bazoum has been languishing for two years along with his wife in Niger's presidential palace since his ouster by a junta, which is using them as human shields to avert foreign military intervention to free them, according to the couple's lawyers.

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