Author: Aïcha Abdou

Somalia on the brink of severe famine, warns ICRC Somalia stands at the precipice of an unprecedented humanitarian disaster as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) raises alarms over a deepening food crisis. Nearly 6.5 million people are already grappling with extreme food insecurity, exacerbated by relentless drought conditions that have crippled livelihoods across the nation. Collapse of pastoralist economy worsens hunger Following two consecutive seasons of inadequate rainfall, experts warn of a looming return to the devastating hunger levels last seen in 2022. The pastoralist sector, the…

1,1 milliard d’euros pour le Niger, Burkina et la RDC : le plan sanitaire des USA pour l’Afrique poursuit sa vague d’adhésion Muriel EDJO, Agence Ecofin Ces conventions visent le renforcement des capacités de la RDC et du Burkina Faso à répondre aux menaces sanitaires avant qu’elles se propagent hors de leurs territoires. DR By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

When the government of Niger and the United States inked a health cooperation protocol in Niamey on February 26, 2026, the financial scale of the agreement—178 million USD (approximately 99.6 billion XOF)—immediately commanded attention. Yet beneath the impressive figures lies a complex web of questions about public health priorities, national budget commitments, and the long-term implications of foreign partnerships. At the heart of this bilateral health initiative is a clear mandate: combat malaria, strengthen infectious disease surveillance, prevent polio outbreaks, and improve maternal and child health outcomes. These goals align…

The Sahel region, a vast geographical expanse stretching from Mali to Chad, hardly presents itself as an economic haven. Far from being a new Singapore for foreign direct investment, nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger grapple with significant economic challenges. Mali, for instance, faces a demographic reality where 47% of its 25.9 million citizens are under 15, with only 25% of its land being arable. Ranking 188th out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index, Mali also sees nearly 45% of its population living below the poverty line.…

The United States Department of State has finalized a five-year bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Burkina Faso, channeling a total of $147 million in financial support. This landmark agreement underscores a shared commitment to combating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other public health threats while bolstering the nation’s epidemiological surveillance and emergency response capabilities. According to the official announcement, the partnership lays the groundwork for enhanced collaboration, empowering Burkina Faso to strengthen its defenses against communicable diseases and improve overall health security. As part of this initiative,…

Strengthening health security in the Sahel through a five-year pact A landmark five-year agreement has been forged between the United States and Burkina Faso to elevate health security as a shared priority. This partnership is designed to equip Burkina Faso with the tools needed to independently tackle infectious threats while simultaneously safeguarding public health in both nations. At its core, the initiative champions locally managed, resilient health systems capable of anticipating, detecting, and responding swiftly to outbreaks in a region where rapid intervention is critical. Building a sustainable bilateral health…

The late January 2026 decision by Burkina Faso’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, marked the formal end of political pluralism in the country. On January 29, all registered political parties—including those that had backed his September 2022 takeover—were officially dissolved. While parties had already been suspended after Traoré’s rise, the junta framed the permanent ban as part of a sweeping state restructuring aimed at reducing social divisions. In reality, the move stripped away the last remnants of independent civic engagement and consolidated power firmly under the captain’s control. Party assets…

At the conclusion of the 39th African Union summit, a bold declaration echoed through the halls of Addis Ababa: silencing the guns and ending unconstitutional power transfers once and for all. But in a region grappling with political instability, can such promises truly hold weight? Paul-Simon Handy, a Cameroonian researcher and Regional Director for East Africa at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), was present in Addis Ababa during the landmark gathering. In an exclusive interview on Africa Midi, he shed light on the summit’s outcomes and the challenges facing…