The Latest Breaking News from Sahel

‘Life can end suddenly here’: Inside Bakhmut, the city being bombed to ruins by Russia’s forces

The Wagner Group has fought on behalf of the Kremlin in a range of arenas including Syria, Libya, central Africa and, most recently, in the Sahel, where its soldiers replaced French forces in Mali, Kim Sengupta reports

The Independent UK · Oct 22, 2022

Ibrahim Traore declared Burkina Faso president after coup

Captain Traore was named the head of state after the coup that deposed Damiba amid growing violence in the Sahel.

Al Jazeera · Oct 6, 2022

Burkina Faso coup fuels fears of growing Russian mercenary presence in Sahel

North Africa analysts believe new leader Ibrahim Traoré may seek help from Moscow in fight against Islamic extremists

The Guardian - UK · Oct 3, 2022

Militant Group Claims to Have Killed Wagner Mercenaries in Mali

An Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group claimed to have killed four mercenaries from the Russian private security group Wagner in an ambush in central Mali, the SITE Intelligence monitoring group said Monday. GSIM, the main militant alliance in the Sahel, said it ambushed a group of Wagner soldiers on Saturday as they…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 16, 2022

Macron says France will stand by Africa on security issues

French President Emmanuel Macron has wrapped up a meeting with Paul Biya, his counterpart in Cameroon, the first port of call on his three nation tour. He reiterated that France would continue to support Africa's security needs.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 27, 2022

‘We have travelled for a month to find grass’: climate crisis piles pressure on Senegal’s herders

Young pastoralists are proud of the tradition they have inherited. But drought, farming and conflict all endanger their lifestyle – and their lives

The Guardian - UK · Jul 22, 2022

French defence, foreign ministers in Niger to prepare for Mali pullout

Government ministers from France and Niger met in Niamey on Friday as French forces reorganise their mission in the Sahel following a planned pullout from Mali.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 15, 2022

From the Sahel to Dubai: On the trail of dirty gold

In the Sahel, the number of informal mines is rising as gold mining areas escape state control. Mali is emerging as a gold-purchasing hub for Sahelian countries, while Dubai has become the main destination for artisanal gold production from the African continent. From the hidden smelters of Bamako to the…

France 24 · Jul 15, 2022

Before Mali withdrawal, France prepares future Sahel strategy

France is stationing more forces in Niger and Chad to fight ‘terrorist groups’ amid 2,400 troops exiting from Mali.

Al Jazeera · Jul 13, 2022

Ahead of Mali withdraw, France prepares future Sahel strategy

French officials head to Niger on Friday to redefine the country's strategy to fight Islamist militants in the Sahel as thousands of troops complete a withdrawal from Mali and concerns mount over the growing threat to coastal West African states.

Reuters · Jul 13, 2022