Author: Aïcha Abdou

Mali’s strategic misstep with foreign mercenaries fuels insurgency and economic strain The Malian junta’s 2021 decision to enlist Russian mercenaries to counter Tuareg rebels in the North has backfired spectacularly, analysts warn. Rather than quelling unrest, the move allowed jihadist factions like the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) to expand their reach, imposing crippling blockades that cripple the nation’s economy. From counterterrorism to civilian massacres The Russian-backed Africa Corps adopted a heavy-handed approach, targeting ethnic groups suspected of rebel…

How kidnapping fuels Boko Haram’s war machine in West Africa A shadow economy of abductions has become a cornerstone of funding for Boko Haram, transforming hostage-taking into a highly organized industry that stretches across Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. What began as isolated attacks has evolved into a systematic revenue stream, with ransoms and forced recruitment feeding the jihadist group’s expansion. The human cost: thousands abducted in a single year In Nigeria—the epicenter of this crisis—over 4,700 people were kidnapped in nearly 1,000 incidents between July 2024 and June 2025…

19 may 2026 Download the pricing gridTheme Switch to dark mode Switch to light mode Senegal space week 2026: Dakar’s push for tech sovereignty through space innovation a-la-une 19 may 2026 The Senegal has now clearly set its sights on the global race for strategic technologies. During the second edition of the Senegal Space Week, government officials reaffirmed their commitment to positioning the country as a future African hub for space, data, and artificial intelligence. Under the High Patronage of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, this international gathering organized by the…

Euro MP raises alarm over anti-LGBTQ+ crackdown in Senegal French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Manon Aubry has sharply criticized the escalating crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal, urging immediate action from Paris to protect those at risk and support victims of what she describes as a systematic persecution.

Manchester City will head to Bournemouth this evening in a must-win Premier League encounter, as the Citizens look to keep their title hopes alive. With just two games remaining, Pep Guardiola’s side trail Arsenal by two points and need maximum points to stay in contention. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Manchester City as they arrive at the Dean Court stadium, fresh off a FA Cup victory last weekend. A narrow 1-0 triumph over Chelsea, sealed by a late Antoine Semenyo strike, gave them their fourth consecutive domestic trophy—a testament…

The Malian people find themselves trapped in an impossible dilemma. On one side stands a military junta clinging to power, on the other, jihadist factions promising strict Islamic law. This is the bleak landscape shaping Mali’s current crisis. The junta’s faltering grip on power General Assimi Goïta’s brief disappearance following coordinated attacks on April 25 has only deepened public skepticism about his government’s competence. In a May 29 address, the junta leader declared the situation ‘under control,’ despite clear evidence to the contrary. The Front de libération de l’Azawad has…

French activists and officials rally to support Senegal’s persecuted LGBT+ community STOP homophobie is currently assisting 68 detained individuals in Senegal following the country’s March legislation criminalizing same-sex relationships. French civil society and political leaders have intensified efforts to aid LGBT+ individuals in Senegal, where a new law passed on March 11 imposes prison sentences of 5 to 10 years for same-sex relations. In response, the organization STOP homophobie is providing critical support to 68 people currently detained in Senegal, with additional assistance extended to those seeking refuge in France.…