Category: Top Stories

challenges of free movement for AES countries after CEDEAO exit The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)—intended as a move toward greater sovereignty—has created significant hurdles for free movement of people and goods within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Travel documentation, such as passports, national IDs, and driver’s licenses, has become a major obstacle for citizens of the AES seeking to move within the broader ECOWAS region. Even among AES member states, challenges persist in ensuring smooth cross-border travel.…

The United States continues to engage in security cooperation with the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—nations governed by juntas that came to power through coups. This strategic alignment was confirmed by General John Brennan, Deputy Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). “We are still collaborating. In fact, we have shared intelligence with some of these governments to target key terrorist cells, though the landscape has shifted dramatically compared to just two or three years ago”, Brennan stated. “Our goal is to work with them to clarify our…

The Republic of Mali is making significant strides in its fight against malaria with the introduction of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the regions of Kayes and Mopti, health authorities are implementing an innovative hybrid vaccination strategy that combines precise timing with targeted delivery to shield thousands of Malian children from this deadly disease. Under the guidance of the WHO, Gavi, and UNICEF, Mali has integrated the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine into its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). This groundbreaking initiative focuses on 19 high-risk…

From 23 January to 12 February, the Halles Saint-Géry in Bruxelles will serve as the venue for a poignant photographic journey into the heart of the Mali humanitarian emergency. The exhibition, titled “In Their Eyes,” is designed to raise awareness about a situation that currently impacts more than 6.4 million individuals across the country. A collaborative effort to highlight the crisis This initiative is a joint production by several major organisations, including Médecins du Monde, Action contre la Faim, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Danish Refugee Council, International Medical Corps,…

Mali’s silent corruption epidemic: when small bribes become a social disaster In Mali, terms like « bonya » (respect), « woro songo » (cola price), or « buru songo » (bread price) are often used to describe the small, informal payments that grease the wheels of corruption. These routine bribes, passed off as harmless gifts or tokens of appreciation, mask a deeper societal rot. While they may seem trivial on the surface, their cumulative impact is devastating—undermining institutions, distorting economies, and perpetuating injustice. But why does this practice persist? And…

The year 2025 marks a historic turning point for the healthcare system in Burkina Faso. Despite persistent national challenges in security and economic stability, the country has achieved remarkable progress across medical infrastructure, specialized care, and financial accessibility of health services. In a groundbreaking achievement, Burkina Faso performed its first-ever kidney transplant in 2025. This landmark procedure, executed at the Tengandogo University Hospital Center (CHU) through collaboration between Burkinabè and Turkish medical teams, signifies a major leap forward in treating renal failure. This medical milestone is expected to significantly reduce…

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso—collectively known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—are governed by military juntas that seized power through coups between 2020 and 2023. These administrations prioritize sovereignty and have distanced themselves from Western influence. regional leaders convene in Bamako for strategic talks On Monday, Malian junta leader Assimi Goïta hosted his Nigerien counterpart, General Abdourahamane Tiani, in Bamako. The summit continued Tuesday with the arrival of Burkinabé leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, according to Malian officials. joint military force takes symbolic first step The primary agenda item centered…

As the CAN 2025 approaches, football fever grips Africa—and none more so than in Morocco, where the nation prepares to host the continent’s premier tournament for the first time in nearly four decades. For a football-mad country that has waited 49 years to lift the trophy, the stakes could not be higher: anything short of victory would feel like a crushing setback. the weight of expectation on Morocco’s shoulders Morocco enters the tournament as one of the standout favorites, fresh off a historic FIFA World Cup 2022 run that saw…

Fada N’Gourma — Polio is a severe yet entirely preventable disease, and mothers across Burkina Faso are taking decisive action to shield their children from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Their commitment not only safeguards individual health but also strengthens community resilience against dangerous outbreaks. Nadège Thiombiano, a mother of 13-month-old Mouzaratou in Fada N’Gourma, understands this responsibility deeply. When she heard about the latest polio vaccination campaign, she prepared her daughter early to ensure full protection. To her, vaccination is both a maternal duty and a lifelong promise. « I’ve seen what…

Economic warfare in the Sahel: militant expansion threatens West African stability Previously fragmented conflicts in the Sahel and coastal West Africa are converging into a single, interconnected battleground that is rapidly becoming a critical arena for militant competition. Key statistics from 2025 From January 1 to November 28, 2025: More than 10,000 fatalities resulted from political violence in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Militants abducted 30 foreign nationals, primarily in Mali (22) and Niger (8). Benin recorded a nearly 70% increase in fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.…

The West African region remains gripped by political turmoil, with multiple coups d’état striking nations across the Sahel, including Guinea and most recently Guinea-Bissau in recent years. Several military juntas in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have openly rejected ties with France, the former colonial power, since seizing control of their governments. Beyond diplomatic backing for Benin‘s armed forces, the Élysée confirmed that President Emmanuel Macron coordinated efforts to share intelligence with regional partners following the unrest. Macron also held emergency talks with Benin‘s President Patrice Talon—the target of the…

A sudden mutiny in Benin’s capital sent shockwaves through the nation early on Sunday, December 7, as a group of disgruntled soldiers briefly seized control of the national broadcaster SRTB in Cotonou. The insurgents claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon, who was swiftly taken to safety as loyalist forces recaptured key installations. Security sources reported that the mutineers first targeted high-ranking officers’ homes, including that of General Bertin Bada—military chief of staff—before heading toward the president’s residence in the Guézo district. By late morning, Cotonou was locked down under…