Month: September 2026

From decree to uncertainty: the birth of a financial and military riddle The signing of presidential decree n°2024-309/P/CNSP/MDN on May 9, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in Niger’s defense architecture. Officially labeled the Command of Protection and Development Forces (CFPD), the structure was presented as a safeguard for critical economic assets: mining sites, oil fields, the WAPCO pipeline, CNPC-NP, SORAZ facilities, and vital development corridors. Yet beneath its stated mission lies a more profound shift one revolving not around soldiers or strategy, but around money, authority, and the very structure…

The narrative that once defined Mali’s foreign policy has begun to fracture. After years of deepening ties with Russia—first through Wagner’s fighters and later via Moscow’s Africa Corps—Bamako now appears to be recalibrating its approach. While no official break with Russia has been declared, the signs of a quiet rapprochement with the United States are impossible to ignore. Washington’s silent comeback in Bamako At the heart of this shift lies a resurgence of security cooperation with Washington. By early 2026, Mali had already begun re-engaging with the United States, lifting…

In Mali, the skies have become a battleground not just for armed groups, but for the civilians caught beneath them. What was once marketed as a surgical strike solution—using drones to precisely target militant formations—has evolved into a grim reality where entire villages bear the scars of aerial assaults. New findings reveal a stark turning point: between 2023 and 2026, 199 drone strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 731 civilians, shattering lives and communities across northern and central Mali. From promises of precision to a crisis of civilian…

The upcoming presidential election in Nigeria marks a critical turning point in the nation’s democratic journey. With escalating concerns over political violence, electoral fraud, and regional security threats, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rolled out a sweeping reform package under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This decisive shift aims to transform public trust and ensure a credible electoral process. Unprecedented commitment to neutrality and fairness The Inspector General of Police (IGP Olatunji Disu) has publicly vowed to uphold the highest standards of neutrality across all levels of the election…

Benin Benin’s digital tax push gains unstoppable momentum as Parakou, Comè and Lokossa go live The decisive breakthrough comes on 21 September 2026, when partner taxpayers attached to the small-business tax centres in Parakou, Comè and Lokossa begin using the DGI’s e-services platform — a shift that marks a turning point in Benin’s fiscal modernisation. Rita Zimé 18 Sep 2026•Updated 18 Sep 2026 ECONOMY Partner taxpayers registered with the small-business tax centres (CIPE) in Parakou, Comè and Lokossa will gain progressive access to the DGI’s e-services platform starting 21 September…

The breaking point: How mass arrests have pushed Mali’s prisons beyond capacity The prison system in Mali has reached a critical juncture, with overcrowding spiraling out of control. While structural weaknesses have long plagued the sector, the situation has deteriorated sharply in recent years. A surge in police raids and military security operations—amplified by the country’s political transition—has flooded already strained detention centers with thousands of new inmates. The Central House of Detention in Bamako, originally designed to hold 600 prisoners, now accommodates over 10,000, a stark reminder of the…