Category: Top Stories

Under the scorching Dakar sun, the synthetic turf of CICES buzzes with an unusual energy. Away from the hustle of VDN Boulevard, Be Sport Academy buzzes like a hive of activity. Fifteen-year-old Souleymane meticulously tightens his laces while teammates slip into jerseys and adjust shin guards. The session should have started ten minutes ago, but no one utters a superfluous word—everyone is focused. The moment the ball starts rolling, young faces light up. Passes flow, runs synchronize, and movements become fluid under the watchful eyes of coaches. For these adolescents,…

On what marks World Press Freedom Day, the current assessment reveals a deeply concerning reality: in West Africa, the act of reporting has transformed into a perilous, even heroic, endeavor. Following the ascendance of military administrations, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—collectively forming the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES)—are experiencing an unprecedented crackdown on information. A tightening grip on journalistic integrity Whether through the abrupt cessation of transmissions by the Malian channel Joliba TV, the closure of the Burkinabè daily L’Observateur Paalga, or the recent abduction of journalist Serge Oulon…

In the Mali, a wave of anxiety has gripped the northern regions as the security landscape undergoes a dramatic shift within a matter of days. Following the symbolic fall of Kidal, armed factions have accelerated their advance, while the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) escalates its campaign with an unprecedented political maneuver—calling for the overthrow of the transitional government. Military setbacks evoke memories of past crises The unfolding crisis mirrors the bleak scenario of 2012. On May 1, 2026, militants from JNIM and separatists from the…

Setting foot in Dakar for the first time came with a lingering sense of unease—thanks, in large part, to the shadow cast by the Africa Cup of Nations final. A narrative of rivalry had taken root, painting the relationship between Morocco and Senegal in sharp, adversarial strokes. And while there’s truth to that perception, the reality feels far more nuanced, even painful. Amadou, a taxi driver in his fifties, greeted me with the warmth and politeness that define Senegalese hospitality. As our conversation unfolded, he learned I was Moroccan. With…

The coordinated military strikes across Mali on April 25 represented far more than a routine flare-up in a long-standing conflict. This was a pivotal moment in the region’s history. A tactical alliance of Islamist insurgents and Tuareg rebels launched simultaneous attacks on military hubs, successfully reclaiming the vital northern stronghold of Kidal from Russian-supported state forces. Their increased operational capacity now poses a direct threat to Bamako, leaving the Sahel—and specifically Algeria—to wonder who, if anyone, can restore order. The failure of the junta’s security pivot To grasp the gravity…

Ulf’s view The Moscow-supported military regime in Mali is currently battling for its existence following a synchronized offensive by jihadist and Tuareg forces, which resulted in the death of the defense minister and compelled Russian private military contractors to withdraw from the northern regions. This escalating instability sparks concerns about a potential surge in migration towards Europe and a rapid deterioration of security throughout the broader Sahel region. Recent assaults have starkly revealed the profound fragility of the governing junta, placing its very future in jeopardy. However, the repercussions of…

In the early hours of April 25, the peace of Kati—a military stronghold located just 15 kilometers from Mali’s capital, Bamako—was shattered by heavy gunfire and blasts. This marked the beginning of a massive, nationwide operation claimed by a rare partnership between the jihadist group JNIM (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin) and the Tuareg separatist FLA (Front de Libération de l’Azawad). By the following day, the military government confirmed that Defense Minister Sadio Camara had died from wounds received during an assault on his home. Rumors also circulated that Modibo Koné,…

The African Football Confederation (CAF) has announced the list of referees selected for the preparatory stage ahead of the upcoming U17 Africa Cup of Nations, a crucial step before the final list of officials for the tournament in Morocco from 13 May to 2 June is revealed. For this phase, Senegal will be represented by a single referee: El Hadj Amadou Sy. Following this preparatory stage, the CAF will finalize the list of referees officiating at the U17 CAN in Morocco. Granted FIFA international referee status in 2019, El Hadj…

The Mali national football team is entering a new chapter. As of August 2024, Tom Saintfiet is no longer the team’s head coach, following an official announcement from the Malian Football Federation on Tuesday evening. The Belgian tactician steered the Aigles du Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), adopting a pragmatic approach that saw them secure three draws in the group stage before overcoming Tunisia in a thrilling extra-time victory in the round of 16. Their journey ended against Senegal in a tight 0-1…