Morocco’s unwavering support for Mali amidst escalating regional tensions

Ousmane Tandja

Rabat recently reiterated its steadfast support for Mali before the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC), unequivocally condemning the synchronized terrorist and separatist assaults that rocked the West African nation last Saturday. During the AU PSC session focused on Mali’s evolving situation, the Moroccan delegation expressed its strongest condemnation of the “terrorist and separatist attacks targeting civilian and military zones.” The delegation extended profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims’ families and the Malian populace. Morocco’s representatives reaffirmed the Kingdom’s full backing for Malian sovereignty, security, stability,…

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Cas sets deadline for Morocco in Afcon 2025 final dispute

Aïcha Abdou

The ongoing dispute concerning the AFCON 2025 final, now under the purview of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), is poised to enter a new stage next month. Morocco, represented by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), has been informed of the final date to submit its defense brief. While the AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal concluded dramatically, it sparked a more significant controversy. This contentious issue is now being managed by the CAS, and the case is advancing into a critical phase. The international judicial body…

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Tribunal arbitral du sport updates on Morocco Senegal football dispute

Aïcha Abdou

Tribunal Arbitral du Sport takes new step in Morocco vs Senegal football case Key developments in the football dispute between Morocco and Senegal The Tribunal Arbitral du Sport has advanced the legal proceedings in the ongoing football dispute between Morocco and Senegal. Following the submission of the Senegalese Football Federation’s appeal brief, the court has now set a strict deadline for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to file its defense. What happens next in this sports arbitration case? With this procedural milestone reached, both football federations must now prepare their…

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Senegal’s kalidou koulibaly injury concerns world cup hopes

Ousmane Tandja

The prolonged absence of Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal’s esteemed defender and captain for Al-Hilal, due to a persistent thigh injury, is raising significant alarm with the FIFA World Cup less than two months away. Across Senegal, a growing sense of unease surrounds the unavailability of their pivotal central defender and national team captain, Kalidou Koulibaly. The 34-year-old, boasting an impressive 102 caps and 2 goals, has not featured for his Saudi Pro League club, Al-Hilal, since April 8th. Sustaining a thigh injury during a training session, the former Napoli star’s return…

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Maroc gets extended deadline in can 2025 final dispute with Senegal

Ousmane Tandja

The legal battle surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco advances as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) grants Rabat additional time to respond. Latest developments in the can 2025 final appeal On March 25, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) filed an appeal with the CAS, prompting the tribunal to extend the deadline for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to submit its defense brief. The new deadline is set for May 7, 2026, marking a critical phase in this high-stakes legal confrontation. Why…

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Ousmane Dembélé praises PSG’s Champions League win over Bayern Munich

Ousmane Tandja

psg’s thrilling Champions League victory over Bayern Munich Ousmane Dembélé, the standout performer in Paris Saint-Germain‘s dramatic 5-4 Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, shared his thoughts on the pulsating encounter and future prospects. a match filled with intensity and drama The clash between PSG and Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals lived up to expectations, delivering a spectacle of attacking football. With nine goals scored in total, the match kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout. Dembélé, who scored twice, was named man of…

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Understanding the jnim threat in Mali and the Sahel

Aïcha Abdou

The militant organization known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is currently positioning itself on the outskirts of Bamako. If the capital were to be captured, this group—already recognized as the most dominant jihadist force in the Sahel—would effectively govern a vast portion of Mali. Operating as an official affiliate of Al-Qaeda, JNIM is leading the regional insurgency, consistently challenging both national military forces and Russian paramilitary groups. As a key topic for Panafrica News and those following Africa news English, the rise of JNIM began officially on March 2,…

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Coordinated attacks against Mali: why the JNIM-FLA alliance threatens the junta

Aïcha Abdou

The coordinated assaults that rocked Mali this past weekend have spotlighted a troubling new reality: an unprecedented alliance between jihadist factions and Tuareg separatists is now challenging the military government’s grip on power. From Bamako to Kidal, the joint operations carried out by the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA) revealed a level of tactical coordination never before witnessed in the Sahel’s ongoing conflict. This merger of forces marks a critical shift in the Malian crisis. For years, these two groups operated…

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Mali junta in disarray after Africa Corps withdrawal from Kidal

Aïcha Abdou

A carefully choreographed display of victory is currently circulating online. Numerous social media clips depict Tuareg rebels from the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) and members of Jnim (the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims) celebrating atop armored vehicles left behind by fleeing Russian operatives. This significant development in West Africa news highlights the shifting dynamics in the region. Just 48 hours following the takeover of Kidal in northern Mali, approximately 400 members of Africa Corps—formerly known as the Wagner Group—departed the city under protection. According to…

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Mali faces setbacks as russian mercenaries retreat from key city

Ousmane Tandja

The Russian-backed Africa Corps mercenaries, deployed in Mali since 2021 and now replacing the Wagner Group, suffered a significant blow this past Sunday, April 26, in Kidal—a strategic hub in northeastern Mali. Social media footage revealed a humiliating retreat: as the Africa Corps forces fled under pressure from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, and their Touareg rebel allies from the Azauad Liberation Front (FLA), they abandoned a staggering number of armored vehicles and helicopters. Several Malian soldiers were also captured during the…

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Russian forces block coup attempt in Mali with french backing amid Sahel tensions

Aïcha Abdou

Bamako — A Russian-linked paramilitary group in Mali has reported thwarting a major coup attempt over the weekend, involving coordinated attacks across critical military and government sites. The alleged offensive, described as one of the most serious security threats in the Sahel in recent years, targeted key locations including the capital Bamako, the military stronghold of Kati, and northern cities such as Gao, Kidal, and Sévaré. The group, identified as Africa Corps, estimated that between 10,000 and 12,000 fighters participated in the simultaneous assaults on Saturday. Their statement claimed the…

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Sahel security crisis: Russia’s plan crumbles and Kemi Seba’s shift

Aïcha Abdou

The situation in the Sahel is reaching a critical point, with heavy losses weighing on the region. Mali, in particular, is grappling with unprecedented violence, forcing even some panafricanist ideologues to question their once-unshakable convictions. As military setbacks and political miscalculations pile up, the harsh realities of the ground are exposing the flaws in grand strategic theories. Military setbacks reveal cracks in Moscow’s security strategy The coordinated assault on Kati and Kidal last weekend served as a wake-up call. Despite the substantial deployment of the Africa Corps, the boldness and…

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