Month: February 2026

why corruption remains a growing challenge in Niger The latest Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International has once again exposed the fragility of public governance systems worldwide. While the global report highlights worsening corruption trends even in nations with strong democratic institutions, the situation in Niger stands out as particularly alarming. With a score of 31 out of 100—which falls far below the critical threshold of 50—Niger ranks 124th among 182 countries surveyed in 2025, slipping three places from the previous year. This persistent decline underscores a harsh reality: corruption…

Strengthening health security in the Sahel through a five-year pact A landmark five-year agreement has been forged between the United States and Burkina Faso to elevate health security as a shared priority. This partnership is designed to equip Burkina Faso with the tools needed to independently tackle infectious threats while simultaneously safeguarding public health in both nations. At its core, the initiative champions locally managed, resilient health systems capable of anticipating, detecting, and responding swiftly to outbreaks in a region where rapid intervention is critical. Building a sustainable bilateral health…

The United States Department of State has finalized a five-year bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Burkina Faso, channeling a total of $147 million in financial support. This landmark agreement underscores a shared commitment to combating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other public health threats while bolstering the nation’s epidemiological surveillance and emergency response capabilities. According to the official announcement, the partnership lays the groundwork for enhanced collaboration, empowering Burkina Faso to strengthen its defenses against communicable diseases and improve overall health security. As part of this initiative,…

The devastating conflict in Soudan has sparked a massive humanitarian emergency, with nearly one million displaced individuals seeking safety in neighboring Tchad. This pressure has intensified following the collapse of El-Fasher in North Darfur. Within a two-week window, roughly 100,000 civilians fled the city, and about 6,000 of them managed to cross the border into Tchad. This influx places a heavy burden on a country already struggling with long-term regional volatility, a recurring theme in pan-African news. Strategic border challenges and rising security threats The 1,300-kilometer boundary between the two…

The late January 2026 decision by Burkina Faso’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, marked the formal end of political pluralism in the country. On January 29, all registered political parties—including those that had backed his September 2022 takeover—were officially dissolved. While parties had already been suspended after Traoré’s rise, the junta framed the permanent ban as part of a sweeping state restructuring aimed at reducing social divisions. In reality, the move stripped away the last remnants of independent civic engagement and consolidated power firmly under the captain’s control. Party assets…

Invité Afrique Midi «It is unacceptable for coup plotters to be democratically elected» Listen – 05:45 The 39th African Union summit concluded with a bold declaration: to “silence the guns” and end unconstitutional power grabs. But can this stance hold? Prominent Cameroonian researcher Paul-Simon Handy, Regional Director for the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in East Africa, who attended the Addis Ababa gathering, joins Africa Midi to dissect the continent’s shifting political landscape. The 39th African Union summit in Addis Ababa wrapped up with a firm commitment to eradicate unconstitutional…

At the conclusion of the 39th African Union summit, a bold declaration echoed through the halls of Addis Ababa: silencing the guns and ending unconstitutional power transfers once and for all. But in a region grappling with political instability, can such promises truly hold weight? Paul-Simon Handy, a Cameroonian researcher and Regional Director for East Africa at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), was present in Addis Ababa during the landmark gathering. In an exclusive interview on Africa Midi, he shed light on the summit’s outcomes and the challenges facing…