Month: August 2026

 Niamey, Niger, witnessed a pivotal moment in West African politics as the inaugural session of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) Parliament officially opened on Monday. This significant gathering saw the formal installation of 45 confederal deputies, with 15 representatives each from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The historic ceremony, held at the Mahatma Gandhi Conference Centre, was presided over by Ousmane Bougouma, who serves as the President of the Legislative Assembly of the People of Burkina Faso and acted as the president for this inaugural parliamentary session. Addressing the…

The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels agree on a roadmap for peace talks Crédit photo, AFP via Getty Images The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa asserts is backed by Rwanda, have formally adopted a comprehensive roadmap designed to guide their peace discussions. Following five days of intensive negotiations held in Switzerland, a joint declaration confirmed their mutual commitment to “pursue negotiations for a comprehensive peace and resolution of the conflict.” A crucial element of this agreement includes the…

General Abdourahamane Tiani has recently inaugurated a training camp bringing together over 300 young Nigeriens. While presented under highly appealing auspices such as civic engagement, national resurgence, and foundational reform, this initiative directly emulates the Burkinabè model championed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré. However, behind this meticulously crafted communication and the exaltation of ‘committed youth,’ a more concerning reality may be taking shape: the military regime appears to be establishing the foundations for premature militarism, cloaked in patriotism. Children and adolescents simply do not belong in militarized or pre-militarized environments. At…

A particularly lethal assault struck Tessa, a community within the Dosso department in southwestern Niger, on Friday, August 21, 2026. The attack resulted in the deaths of 18 gendarmes, killed during an incursion by heavily armed individuals. Significant material damage was also inflicted, severely disrupting local economic activity and sending shockwaves through the region. An assault of exceptional magnitude The rural commune of Tessa, home to dozens of villages, lies within the Dosso department in southwestern Niger, serving as a key administrative territory in this part of West Africa. It…

A significant leadership reshuffle has recently taken place within Togo’s military and intelligence sectors, signaling a new phase for national security. These high-level adjustments in the command structure of Togo’s defense and intelligence apparatus are poised to redefine the nation’s strategic approach to security challenges. The move underscores an ongoing commitment to strengthening the country’s protective capabilities. By Ousmane Tandja — Senior correspondent