Can Senegal’s Faye play peacemaker and help a splintered West Africa bloc? Experts say ECOWAS’s tensions with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso could roll back years of regional diplomacy. Al Jazeera · Jul 3, 2024
West African defense chiefs propose a $2.6 billion security plan that analysts say might not work Defense chiefs of West Africa on Thursday proposed an ambitious plan to deploy a 5,000-strong “standby force” to fight the region’s worsening security crises, a measure that analysts say might not work due to challenges of funding and division within the regional bloc The Independent UK · Jun 27, 2024
I.Coast Relies On Livestock From Crisis-hit Sahel For Eid At a muddy market in a city district in Ivory Coast, hundreds of animals are lined up to be sacrificed for this Sunday's Muslim festival of Eid. International Business Times · Jun 15, 2024
Democracy under scrutiny as Nigerians struggle to afford the basics Nigeria has played a major role in fostering democracy in Africa’s west but after 25 years its people are losing faith The Guardian - UK · May 30, 2024
Senegal's new prime minister criticizes French military presence in the West African country Senegal’s new prime minister has criticized the French military presence in the West African country The Independent UK · May 17, 2024
What’s next as ‘heavy-handed’ US negotiates pullout from Niger? US ‘touched a nerve’ in security dealings with Niger, opening door to ‘transactional’ Russia as Sahel violence spirals. Al Jazeera · May 1, 2024
Togo heads to polls amid claims of power grab by President Gnassingbé Some four million Togolese are to vote Monday for legislative and regional elections that have been twice delayed. Opponents accuse longtime ruler Faure Gnassingbe of seeking to extend his grip on power after MPs signed off on controversial changes to the constitution. Radio France Internationale · Apr 29, 2024
Togo parliament approves contested constitutional reforms Lawmakers in Togo approved changes to its constitution on Friday linked to presidential term limits and how presidents are elected, which some opposition politicians and civil society groups have denounced as a constitutional coup. Radio France Internationale · Apr 20, 2024
Bassirou Diomaye Faye becomes Senegal's youngest president ever Bassirou Diomaye Faye became Senegal's youngest president, Tuesday, pledging systemic change, greater sovereignty and calm after years of turmoil in the country. Radio France Internationale · Apr 2, 2024
Insecurity erodes chances of return to civilian rule in Niger and Mali Attacks by jihadists are on the rise in both Niger and Mali, where juntas are keen to hold on to power. The volatile situation in the Sahel region is casting a long shadow over future elections and the return to civilian rule, which now look increasingly distant. Radio France Internationale · Apr 2, 2024
From prisoner to president: Bassirou Diomaye Faye to become Senegal’s youngest leader Only two weeks ago, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sitting in a prison cell. Faye was arrested almost a year ago for “spreading false news, contempt of court, and defamation of a constituted body". He is now set to be inaugurated as Senegal's president. Radio France Internationale · Mar 26, 2024
What Will Change With Bassirou Diomaye Faye At Senegal Helm? At the age of 44, Bassirou Diomaye Faye is to become Senegal's fifth and also youngest president after the opposition candidate's main rival Amadou Ba conceded defeat after Sunday's first round vote. International Business Times · Mar 25, 2024
Did Russia, Iran provoke Niger walkout from US military pact? Niger’s ruling military angered by US accusations of ‘secret deals’ with Iran and partnering with Russia. Al Jazeera · Mar 19, 2024
Niger Isolated And Suspicious Despite End Of Sanctions It's been two weeks since the lifting of tough sanctions on military-ruled Niger, but the pace of economic recovery is slow and the generals have shown no inclination to re-open the border with Benin and seek a diplomatic settlement with neighbouring nations. International Business Times · Mar 7, 2024
Al Jazeera · Mar 5, 2024 ‘No justification for Gaza carnage’: Nigeria Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar Nigeria’s FM speaks to Al Jazeera about his government’s domestic plans and global approach.
International Business Times · Feb 25, 2024 US Faces Diplomatic Struggle In West Africa Amid Extremism And Russian Influence According to political analyst Michael Shurkin, a business-as-usual approach has proven ineffective, with Russia filling the vacuum left by diminishing French influence.
Radio France Internationale · Feb 25, 2024 Ecowas lifts Niger sanctions on 'humanitarian grounds' West Africa's regional bloc Ecowas on Saturday said it was lifting some of the sanctions imposed on Niger after last year's military coup.
Al Jazeera · Feb 24, 2024 ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger amid tensions in West Africa bloc The West African alliance holds Abuja summit amid political crises that have rocked the region.
France 24 · Feb 24, 2024 West African bloc ECOWAS says it is lifting sanctions on Niger West Africa’s regional bloc known as ECOWAS has lifted travel, commercial and economic sanctions imposed on Niger that were aimed at reversing the coup staged in the country last year, a senior official announced Saturday.
Al Jazeera · Feb 23, 2024 Debate on ditching CFA begins as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger forge new path Amid talk of ditching West African franc, a colonial-era legacy, analysts unpack what it means for three Sahel states.
Al Jazeera · Feb 21, 2024 ‘ECOWAS is making efforts to get across to Niger’: Nigerian defence chief Ahead of an ECOWAS summit in Abuja, the Nigerian general speaks to Al Jazeera about insecurity in West Africa.
Al Jazeera · Feb 20, 2024 Military leaders dissolve government in Guinea The military says it will appoint a new government, but has not indicated when that would be.
Al Jazeera · Feb 19, 2024 Niger defaults on debt payments again as post-coup woes pile The West African state’s total debt default since last July’s coup is now $519m.
Al Jazeera · Feb 12, 2024 ECOWAS chair Tinubu to meet Senegal’s Sall over postponed elections Sall’s decision to push back the February 25 presidential vote has plunged Senegal into a constitutional crisis.
International Business Times · Feb 9, 2024 W.Africa Bloc Urges 'Reconciliation' With Coup-hit States West Africa's regional bloc called for "reconciliation" with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Friday after emergency talks on the coup-hit countries' withdrawal from the group.