Authoritarian Regimes & Africa

Across the vast, red-dusted expanses of the Sahel, on those remote tracks where conflict unfolds largely unseen by European eyes, Mali is now confronting a harsh truth: severing ties with those who formed the primary defense against encroaching instability carries significant repercussions.The recent wave of devastating attacks sweeping the nation is neither an unforeseen tragedy nor a twist of fate. Instead, it represents the anticipated outcome of a deliberate political shift, heralded as an assertion of national sovereignty. This sovereignty, prominently showcased and fueled by a fervent anti-French narrative, had become a key tool for internal legitimacy.Bamako sought the departure of French forces, and Bamako achieved it.The final French convoys departed from strategic locations like ...

This week, significant developments unfolded across the African continent, shaping its political and economic landscape. Here’s a summary of the essential news:An in-depth look at Emmanuel Macron’s declarations at the Africa Forward summit and the evolution of his Africa policy.Insights from the Africa CEO Forum, where the African private sector received a clear mandate to expand its influence.The ongoing mystery surrounding the vice-presidency in Cameroon and the growing list of potential candidates.An analysis of how Senegal’s constitutional reform could primarily benefit Ousmane Sonko.A profile of Philippe Lalliot, France’s newly appointed ambassador to Morocco. Dive into the details: 1. Emmanuel...

“If the Russian mercenaries leave, we will go home.” This sentiment echoes among Malian refugees in Mauritania, where Mosso*, like many others, found sanctuary from the devastating conflict in his homeland. A glimmer of hope for repatriation emerged following significant attacks in late April against the Malian army and its Russian allies from Africa Corps. These coordinated assaults, executed by the Front de Libération de l'Azawad (FLA) separatists and the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (Jnim), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, dealt an unprecedented blow to Mali's ruling junta, which seized power in a 2020 coup. The violence tragically claimed the life of the Defense Minister. In the Mauritanian locality of Fassala, situated near the Malian border, the actions of Russian para...

The security situation in Mali is deteriorating at an alarming pace. Coordinated offensives by jihadist groups and separatist movements in the northern regions have placed unprecedented strategic pressure on the Malian state. Yet beneath the surface of these visible clashes, a more profound transformation is unfolding—one that is less dramatic but far more consequential: the shifting center of gravity in this conflict. What is unfolding in Mali today transcends a mere military confrontation. For over a decade, the Malian crisis has been framed primarily through a security lens. Successive interventions, both domestic and international, have sought to restore stability through force. While this approach has yielded temporary gains, it has failed to deliver the structural changes the countr...

Burkinabè authorities have taken significant action against civil society organizations, suspending 811 associations for "non-renewal of their governing bodies" and outright dissolving an additional 118 since mid-April. These measures, impacting a total of 929 entities, were justified by "legal provisions in force," though no further specific details were provided. The organizations affected by these suspensions, effective from May 12, 2026, operate across various critical sectors, including healthcare, education, women's empowerment, gender initiatives, and religious activities. A ministerial decree specifies that during the suspension period, only efforts aimed at regularizing the status of each association are permissible. Widespread crackdown concerns These recent actions follow the en...

The Centrafrique government is currently facing a difficult choice regarding its security alliances. While President Touadéra remains inclined to continue working with the Wagner Group, Moscou is actively pushing for the integration of the Africa Corps. Under the Wagner model, payment was extracted through the widespread looting of the country's natural wealth. Conversely, Poutine is now demanding a direct monthly fee of 10 billion CFA francs for the Africa Corps. For the citizens of Centrafrique, the choice offers little relief: the level of brutality and systemic violence remains identical, with only the billing method changing. Lessons from the Malian transition Following the passing of Evguéni Prigojine in June 2025, the Africa Corps assumed Wagner's responsibilities in Mali. Although...

Commentary Mali Attacks: Aggravating the Sahel Security Crisis Coordinated Mali attacks expose state vulnerabilities, insurgent adaptation, and shifting regional alliances across the Sahel North Africa By Salem A. Salem May 7, 2026 Share: The April 25 coordinated attacks in Mali mark a dangerous inflection point in the Sahel’s security crisis, revealing both the growing sophistication of insurgent groups and the fragility of state authority. A rare alliance between jihadist and separatist actors signals a pragmatic conve...

The extensive, coordinated aggressions that rocked Mali on April 25, 2026, represent more than just an escalation of violence within the Sahelian nation. They signify a crucial juncture for the entire West African landscape, serving as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on a singular external military alliance. For Ghana, in particular, these events offer vital security lessons that demand immediate attention. Far from being isolated incidents, these attacks were a meticulously planned, synchronized offensive targeting multiple strategic sites across the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) member nation. The sophistication and breadth of these assaults underscore a significant advancement in insurgent capabilities, simultaneously exposing critical vulnerabilities ...

At first glance, the Sahel belt—stretching from Mali to Chad—doesn’t appear to be an economic goldmine. To put it bluntly, it isn’t the Singapore of foreign direct investment. Economic indicators for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger reveal stark challenges: extreme poverty, youthful demographics, and limited arable land. In Mali, for instance, 47% of its 25.9 million people are under 15, only 25% of land is cultivable, and it ranks a dismal 188th out of 193 countries on the UNDP Human Development Index. Nearly 45% of Malians live below the poverty line. Ouagadougou and Niamey face similar struggles, with 40% and 60.5% of their populations in poverty, respectively (World Bank). Landlocked and governed by military juntas, these nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), backed—at least ...

The late January of 2026 marked the definitive end of partisan politics in Burkina Faso. On January 29th, Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s government officially dissolved all political parties, including those that had backed his September 2022 coup. While these parties had already been suspended since Traoré took power, the junta framed the move as part of a broader state restructuring aimed at reducing social divisions. In reality, this action eliminates the last remnants of independent civic participation and centralizes authority under Traoré. Party assets have been seized by the state. Though the junta initially relied on enthusiastic civilian support, the decision starkly contradicts its narrative of popular mobilization and revolutionary renewal. Yet this outcome is far from unique. Acr...

The landscape of human rights in Niger has faced a continuous decline since the military takeover in July 2023. Throughout 2025, the ruling military council intensified its crackdown on political rivals, activists, labor leaders, and members of the press. The authorities have persisted in the unlawful confinement of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and his spouse, alongside various former government officials, media professionals, and human rights defenders.Niger remains embroiled in a violent struggle against several extremist factions, including the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISS), the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The conflict has surged in the western Tillabéri region and along the...

Vidéo GEO France - Dans le sud du Bénin, l'une des dernières forêts marécageuses en danger Le président béninois Patrice Talon, en 2022. © LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP West Africa is currently experiencing significant political turbulence, marked by numerous coups d'état across the region since the start of the decade, impacting nations in the Sahel, Guinea, and most recently, Guinea-Bissau.In several countries, including Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, military juntas have seized power, advocating for policies that signal a clear departure from France, their former colonial power.Beyond providing direct support to the Beninese army, the Elysée Palace confirmed that...