Month: February 2026

Burkina Faso cuts medicine prices in landmark healthcare reform

Ousmane Tandja

Burkina Faso slashes medicine prices by up to 72% to boost healthcare access The Burkina Faso government has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to reduce the cost of essential generic medications and medical supplies, with reductions as high as 72%. This strategic move aims to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all citizens. The announcement follows a Council of Ministers meeting held on February 12, 2026, where officials approved sweeping price adjustments for drugs distributed through the Central Purchasing Unit for Essential Generic Medicines (CAMEG). The new rates will take…

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Deadly jihadist attack in Niger’s Tillabéri region sparks outrage

Ousmane Tandja

A fresh wave of brutality has struck Niger, leaving 31 civilians—including men and children—slaughtered in the village of Bossiye, located in the Tillabéri region. The massacre, carried out on January 18, has been attributed to jihadist militants linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). According to reports from Human Rights Watch, around 100 heavily armed militants descended on the village on motorcycles near midday, unleashing indiscriminate violence. Survivors and local sources describe a scene of sheer terror as families were targeted without mercy. This latest atrocity underscores…

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Powering care: solar energy transforms niafounké hospital in Mali

Aïcha Abdou

i Vue des panneaux solaires installés par MSF à l’hôpital de Niafunké, dans le nord du Mali. © Lamine Keita solar energy revolutionizes healthcare in niafounké, northern Mali In Mali’s Timbuktu region, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has recently equipped the Niafounké hospital with a cutting-edge solar panel installation. This vital energy transition strengthens the hospital’s operational autonomy and ensures more consistent healthcare delivery in a remote area grappling with persistent insecurity. Previously, the hospital relied almost entirely on a diesel-powered thermal plant, which was prone to frequent power outages. To…

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Us influence expansion in Sahel through Morocco’s strategic role

Ousmane Tandja

The geopolitical landscape of the Sahel is quietly undergoing a transformation. As European forces scale back their presence in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and Russia’s influence grows through para-state structures, the United States appears to be regaining momentum in the region. However, this shift is less about a dramatic return and more about a recalibration of Washington’s strategic positioning, according to Emmanuel Dupuy, president of the Institute for Prospective and Security in Europe (IPSE). Dupuy emphasizes that the U.S. never fully disengaged from the Sahel; instead, it adopted a…

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Deadly islamist attacks in Niger’s Tillabéri region

panafrica-news

Armed Islamist militants have carried out a series of brutal attacks in western Niger, resulting in the deaths of 30 civilians, including four children, along with five captured fighters. The Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) has been identified as the perpetrator of these violent acts, which Human Rights Watch has condemned as war crimes. Click to expand Image On January 18, militants from the EIS executed 31 men and boys in the village of Bossieye in retaliation for residents refusing to pay the zakat—an Islamic tax imposed by the…

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Mali’s anti-corruption efforts: a deeper look into its latest transparency international ranking

Aïcha Abdou

Deux personnes échangent des billets de Banque à Bamako, le 27 octobre 2023 📷 Studio Tamani/Fondation Hirondelle Mali has experienced a setback in the 2025 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The West African nation slipped from the 135th position to 136th globally, now finding itself behind regional allies Niger and Burkina Faso, members of the AES confederation. The Corruption Perception Index is a crucial tool for evaluating countries’ efforts in combating corruption. In 2025, a total of 182 nations were assessed. Mali, scoring 28 out of 100, landed at…

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Global corruption index 2025 shows alarming declines worldwide

Ousmane Tandja

Transparency International has released its latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2025, revealing a troubling global trend: corruption is worsening even in long-standing democracies, where political leadership appears to be weakening. The CPI evaluates 180 countries and territories, ranking them based on perceived levels of public-sector corruption. Each nation is scored on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (highly clean). Shockingly, over two-thirds of the countries scored below 50, signaling widespread governance failures. how corruption is measured Measuring corruption directly is nearly impossible—it thrives in secrecy. Instead, the…

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Niger drone strike kills 17 civilians in kokoloko village

Ousmane Tandja

Civilian casualties in a suspected Nigerian military drone strike A drone strike in the Niger village of Kokoloko, near the border with Burkina Faso, reportedly killed at least 17 civilians, including four children, and injured 13 others on January 6, 2026. The attack also resulted in the deaths of three Islamist militants, according to reports. Click to expand Image Violation of international humanitarian law The strike occurred in a bustling market where hundreds of civilians were present, including women and children. Witnesses reported seeing a white drone circling the area…

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Security challenges in Niger under Abdourahamane Tiani’s leadership

Ousmane Tandja

In a brazen assault on Niger’s capital, armed militants linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) launched a coordinated attack on Niamey’s international airport and the adjacent 101 military base on the night of January 28-29, 2025. The assault involved heavy gunfire, multiple rocket strikes, and the deliberate destruction of civilian aircraft and military equipment. Graphic footage released by the attackers revealed their movements through the facility, underscoring the sophistication and boldness of the operation. Niger’s security landscape under Abdourahamane Tiani: progress and persistent threats Since General…

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Enhancing health access in Mali: gavi-funded 4x4s boost vaccination efforts

Ousmane Tandja

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Ministry of Health and Social Development in Mali officially took delivery of 39 rugged 4×4 vehicles. These essential all-terrain vehicles are set to significantly bolster the nation’s health infrastructure, enhancing access to critical health services, particularly immunization programs, across Mali’s most underserved and remote communities. The handover ceremony occurred at the Ministry of Health’s headquarters within Bamako’s Administrative City. Valued at an estimated 689 million CFA francs, this vital fleet of equipment is a direct result of a robust and productive collaboration between Mali’s…

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UN calls for the restoration of democratic freedoms in Burkina Faso

Ousmane Tandja

The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, has issued a formal appeal to the government of Burkina Faso, urging an end to all forms of civic space suppression and the reversal of plans to outlaw political parties. According to the High Commissioner, the current trajectory is a step backward for the human rights of the people of Burkina Faso. In a recent statement, he argued that rather than dismantling political organizations or incarcerating individuals for their personal views, the state should be expanding the environment for civil society and…

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Burkina Faso’s mobile clinics revolutionize cervical cancer screening

Ousmane Tandja

In the heart of Burkina Faso, a silent revolution is unfolding in the fight against cervical cancer. By bringing medical services directly to communities, the country is setting a powerful example for Africa in making health care accessible to all. Breaking barriers to cervical cancer screening in rural Burkina Faso Ouagadougou — “When I heard the town crier announce that health workers were offering free screening nearby, my first thought was fear: what if I tested positive? How would I afford treatment? But then I remembered my six children and…

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