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LIBÉRATIONNigeria: Boko Haram frees 416 women and children in Borno after months in captivityMore than 400 people kidnapped earlier this year in a village in northeastern Nigeria's Borno state have been released by the jihadist group Boko Haram, a senator and a local youth leader confirmed on Sunday.SécuritéPublished Sunday, June 7, 2026Since 2009, a jihadist insurgency led by Boko Haram and later by its rival, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions in the northeast of Africa's most populous country. Mass kidnappings, often followed by ransom-driven releases, are a common tactic used by the Islamist groups. Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), said he secured the freedom of 416 women and children ...

Nigeria: hundreds freed after Boko Haram mass kidnappingThe Nigerian army announced the release of 360 people held by Boko Haram in the northeast on Saturday. Two infants died from exhaustion during captivity.Several hundred people abducted earlier this year by the jihadist group Boko Haram in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria, have been freed, the military and local sources confirmed.Since 2009, a jihadist insurgency led by Boko Haram and later by its rival, the Islamic State in West Africa (Iswap), has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions in the country's northeast.Mass kidnappings, with releases often involving ransom payments, are regularly carried out by Islamists. Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), said he secured the release of 416 women...

Top Stories Society Royal air Maroc launches first direct flight between Casablanca and los angeles FacebookXWhatsAppEmailCopy URL Milestone moment. Morocco’s flagship carrier, Royal air Maroc (RAM), has inaugurated a groundbreaking direct route connecting Casablanca to los angeles. This new service represents a historic achievement as the first ever non-stop flight linking Africa with the Pacific coast of the United States. The inaugural flight departed from Mohammed V International Airport at 04:00, embarking on a seamless 12-hour journey to its destination. This landmark launch coincides with the 250th anniversary of diplomatic ties bet...

Major governance reshuffle at Morocco’s water sector association The recent general assembly marked a pivotal moment for the water and sanitation sector in Morocco, with delegates electing a fresh 27-member administrative council and a 12-member executive board. These representatives span the entire spectrum of industry stakeholders, from public entities to private operators, ensuring balanced representation across the sector. Statutory reforms to modernize water management During the extraordinary general meeting, delegates reviewed and approved the association’s financial and ethical reports. A key outcome was the adoption of amendments to the AMEPA statutes, designed to streamline operations in response to evolving water industry trends. These changes aim to bolster industrial sovereig...

French intelligence agent sentenced to 20 years in Mali amid diplomatic disputeSaturday, June 6, 2026Diplomatic crisis - A French intelligence officer operating under diplomatic cover has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mali for allegedly threatening national security.On Friday, a Malian court delivered the verdict against the French agent, who has been held in Bamako for nearly a year. The sentence includes 20 years of entry ban from Mali and a €5,400 fine. The ruling was confirmed by multiple judicial sources.The officer, identified as Yann V., was arrested in August 2025 during a joint operation by Mali’s State Security (SE) and the country’s armed forces. Officials accused him of conspiring with Malian military personnel to destabilize the transitional government, allegedly plo...

Niamey, June 5, 2026 — Niger has firmly established itself as a formidable force in the global campaign against international drug trafficking across the Sahel region. This assertion comes in the wake of a series of highly successful operations conducted over recent years by the Central Office for the Suppression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (OCRTIS). The significant seizures and intricate network dismantlements orchestrated by this specialized unit underscore the enhanced investigative capabilities and improved coordination within Nigerien forces, effectively confronting sophisticated transnational criminal organizations.  A critical junction for global narcotics transit Niger's geographical location positions it as a vital transit point along major trafficking routes c...

Burkina Faso: Damiba's ex-security chief handed 11-year sentence in arson case Actus. The judicial system in Burkina Faso has delivered a significant ruling, sentencing Captain Abdoul Kader Zanré, former head of security for transitional president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, to 11 years in prison, with five years to be served definitively. This judgment arrives amidst a period of heightened political sensitivity within the West African nation, reflecting broader shifts in African politics and governance. A fresh legal development has unfolded in Burkina Faso. The High Court of Ouagadougou, in a session held on Friday, June 5, pronounced Captain Abdou...

French Intelligence Officer Sentenced to 20 Years in Mali A Malian court has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to a French intelligence officer working under diplomatic cover in Bamako. The officer, detained since August 2025, was convicted of "threatening state security"—a charge Paris dismisses as baseless. Alongside the prison term, the court imposed a 20-year ban on re-entering Mali and a fine of €5,400, according to judicial sources who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Closed-Door Trial and Diplomatic Fallout The trial took place behind closed doors on Thursday before a specialized anti-terrorism court, with the verdict announced the following day. The French officer, identified as Yann V., was arrested on August 13, 2025, during a raid carried out by Mal...

Media Influence Medi1 TV gains official broadcast rights in Mali Medi1 TV, already familiar to Malian audiences through its long-standing FM radio presence in Bamako, has secured official authorization to expand its operations across Mali. This milestone marks a significant step in the channel’s commitment to fostering enduring media partnerships that bridge cultural divides and amplify African voices. Medi1 TV has signed a landmark agreement with Mali’s High Authority of Communication (HAC), securing full authorization to establish, operate, and broadcast its programs across Malian territory. The deal represents a pivotal advancement in the channel’s continental expansion a...

A high-ranking officer from Mali’s Directorate-General for State Security (DGSE) has been sentenced to two decades behind bars following nearly a year in detention. The ruling, delivered by a Bamako court, marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention to the country’s evolving security landscape. The officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, was detained in mid-2023 under charges linked to alleged espionage activities. Legal proceedings concluded this week, with the presiding judge citing evidence of unauthorized intelligence operations as the primary justification for the severe penalty. This case underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding state security operations in Mali, particularly amid shifting regional alliances and ongoing counterterrorism efforts. O...

Mali offers up to 2 billion cfa for capture of jihadist leader Iyad Ag Ghaly The Malian government has announced a bounty of up to 2 billion FCFA for the capture of Iyad Ag Ghaly, the leader of the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), and several of his associates. The decision follows coordinated attacks in Kidal and Kati two months ago, involving both jihadists and separatists from the Front de Libération de l'Azawad (FLA). In an official statement from the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, headed by General Daoud Aly Mouhammedine, authorities are calling on citizens to assist the armed forces in locating seven individuals deemed threats to national stability. Government announcement details The statement declared, "In the ongoing fight against terrorism and to s...