Month: February 2026

In West Africa and the Sahel, military juntas have escalated their crackdown on freedoms while consolidating power throughout 2025, according to recent findings. Civilian populations and critical infrastructure have borne the brunt of repeated attacks by both Islamist armed groups and government forces, alongside their allies. Click to expand Image authoritarian trends threaten regional stability Human Rights Watch has highlighted a disturbing pattern of repression across West Africa and the Sahel. Military juntas in countries like the Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad have systematically weakened democratic institutions, silenced dissent,…

The recent visit of Nick Checker, head of the U.S. State Department’s African Affairs Bureau, to Mali signals a renewed Washington presence in the Sahel. However, this engagement comes with a strategic pivot—three core priorities now guide American policy in the region: a stronger economic focus on trade, particularly in minerals; a recalibrated security approach that reduces permanent military deployments; and a shift away from broad humanitarian aid toward targeted economic and security partnerships. Expert analysis: insights from Dr. Gnaka Lagoke Driving forces behind U.S. policy in West Africa DW:…

Since the military coup in July 2023, Niger has witnessed a sharp decline in human rights, with authorities intensifying repression against political opponents, dissidents, union leaders, and journalists. Arbitrary detentions remain rampant, including that of former President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife, former government officials, journalists, and human rights activists. These individuals are held incommunicado, with no access to legal counsel or family visits. The security situation has deteriorated further as Niger continues to battle multiple Islamist armed groups, including the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), the Support Group…

why the us is prioritizing security and mineral deals over democracy in Sahel juntas The United States has signaled a sharp shift in its approach to three West African nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—where military-led governments have distanced themselves from France and aligned with Russia. This new strategy emphasizes security cooperation and access to critical minerals, sidelining long-standing concerns about democracy and human rights. In a move that underscores this pivot, U.S. officials announced a high-level visit to Bamako, the capital of Mali, by Nick Checker, head of the State…