Bergamo’s burkinabe diaspora to host pioneering international cultural symposium

Aïcha Abdou

The Association of Young Burkinabe in Bergamo (AJBB) has officially announced its inaugural Cultural Symposium, a landmark event poised to significantly advance the global structure of Burkinabe culture. This pivotal international gathering is scheduled to take place in Italy on January 31 and February 1, 2026, following its public announcement during a press conference held on Thursday, January 8, 2025.   More than just a celebration, this groundbreaking symposium emerges from a deep desire for critical reflection and strategic dialogue. Louré Toubga, Secretary General of the AJBB, emphasized that the initiative…

Read More

Mali corruption: how small bribes fuel a social crisis

Ousmane Tandja

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…

Read More

Mali’s corruption perception index 2024 shows persistent governance challenges

Ousmane Tandja

In the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, released by Transparency International, the Mali ranks 136th out of 180 countries, scoring 28 out of 100. This result underscores the country’s ongoing struggle to combat corruption, which continues to undermine governance and hinder economic progress. institutional erosion and systemic corruption The report highlights a significant weakening of oversight institutions in Mali. It points to opaque public finance management and a lack of transparency in public procurement, both of which fuel widespread perceptions of corruption. The report further reveals that access to…

Read More

Breakthroughs in Burkina Faso healthcare system 2025

Ousmane Tandja

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…

Read More

Diphtheria surge in Mali amid ongoing humanitarian crisis

Ousmane Tandja

diphtheria surge in Mali amid ongoing humanitarian crisis Since mid-September, Mali has been grappling with a rapid surge in diphtheria cases, a preventable yet deadly infection now thriving in a fragile healthcare landscape. Chronic shortages, restricted humanitarian access, and a collapsing public health infrastructure have created the perfect storm for this outbreak to spread unchecked. By early December, official reports tallied over 530 cases and 30 deaths, but experts warn the true numbers are likely far higher due to widespread underreporting. The hardest-hit regions include Mopti and Ségou in central…

Read More

Healthcare reform in Burkina Faso lowers medical costs

Aïcha Abdou

For countless Burkinabè, accessing healthcare was once an insurmountable challenge. The financial barrier separating patients from life-saving treatment felt like an invisible wall—one that too often proved impossible to breach. But since March 13, 2024, the government has taken decisive action to dismantle this obstacle. By slashing fees for critical medical exams and eliminating required deposits for dialysis in public health facilities, authorities have fundamentally reshaped healthcare accessibility across the nation. From privilege to right: the human impact of healthcare reform In the bustling halls of Burkina Faso’s public hospitals,…

Read More

Mali’s diphtheria surge: a preventable crisis amid humanitarian challenges

Aïcha Abdou

Mali is currently grappling with a rapid surge in diphtheria cases, a vaccine-preventable infection that has been spreading quickly since mid-September. This escalating health crisis is exacerbated by an already fragile healthcare infrastructure, persistent resource shortages, and increasing hurdles to humanitarian aid access across the nation.  By early December, official figures indicated over 530 diphtheria cases and more than 30 fatalities. However, the United Nations cautions that the actual scope of the outbreak is likely far greater due to significant underreporting. The central regions of Mopti and Ségou, along with…

Read More

Patrice Talon: Africa’s political outlier with bold reforms

Ousmane Tandja

On December 13 in Cotonou, Bénin, hundreds gathered—mostly young citizens—rallied to condemn a failed coup d’état that had unfolded just six days earlier. On December 7, mutineers had stormed state television, declaring they had overthrown President Patrice Talon. Yet by day’s end, the military, supported by loyal security forces, had crushed the rebellion and restored constitutional order. This dramatic confrontation underscored a defining trait of Patrice Talon’s leadership: his ability to navigate crises while advancing transformative policies. A former businessman turned head of state, Talon has steered Bénin toward economic…

Read More

Mali Niger Burkina Faso launch joint security force against jihadists

Ousmane Tandja

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…

Read More

Unified force of the AES: strategies to achieve its security goals

Ousmane Tandja

The military juntas of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are convening in Bamako for a critical two-day summit to assess progress since the Niger founding summit in July 2024. The meeting, which began on December 22, will evaluate security, diplomatic, and development challenges while designating a new president for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) confederation. According to the Malian government, the gathering marks the first anniversary of the AES’s operational roadmap. Key discussions will focus on consolidating institutional frameworks and addressing regional and international implications of the confederation’s initiatives.…

Read More

Can 2025: Morocco’s quest for can glory at home

Aïcha Abdou

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…

Read More

Vaccination in Burkina Faso protects children for life

Aïcha Abdou

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…

Read More