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Almost four months after the African Cup of Nations final—where Senegal initially won in extra time (1-0) before being awarded a 3-0 forfeit by the CAF Appeals Committee—Moroccan authorities continue to hold imprisoned Senegalese supporters in Rabat. While three individuals have been released, those accused of storming the pitch, confronting stewards, and clashing with police remain in detention, facing sentences ranging from six months to a year. During a televised address, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye addressed the plight of the Lions of Teranga fans, many of whom received harsh penalties. « It would be wrong to believe we haven’t done enough for our detained supporters in Morocco. They have my full backing, » he emphasized, as reported by Afrik-Foot. Diplomatic efforts...

Approximately two months ago, a strong sense of solidarity was evident within the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF). This unity emerged following a pivotal ruling by the appeal jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The decision controversially stripped the national team, affectionately known as the Lions de la Teranga, of their coveted African champion title, subsequently reassigning it to Morocco. In response to this significant setback, the FSF galvanized its efforts, rallying firmly behind its president, Abdoulaye Fall. Their collective objective was to formally lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), seeking to challenge the CAF's contentious judgment and reclaim the prestigious continental championship. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the current assessment in West Africa is profoundly concerning: the act of informing the public has become exceptionally perilous, even heroic. Following the ascension of military administrations, nations such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso — collectively forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — are experiencing an unprecedented period of repression against media professionals.Increasing constraints on journalistic practiceThe methods of exerting pressure are multiplying. Prominent examples include the suspension of Mali's Joliba TV, the cessation of Burkina Faso's daily L'Observateur Paalga, and the recent abduction of journalist Serge Oulon in Ouagadougou. Authorities are employing a range of severe measures to silence dissenting voices:A...

Dr Seydou Coulibaly’s transformative four-year tenure at WHO Burkina Faso concludes with remarkable achievements 02 mai 2026 Ouagadougou – After an impactful four-year term leading the World Health Organization (WHO) representation in Burkina Faso, Dr Seydou Coulibaly is preparing to depart. His mission has been distinguished by an innovative methodology, unwavering commitment to public health, and a collaborative leadership style that significantly strengthened both local teams and national partnerships.Dr Coulibaly consistently emphasized that his primary objective was to enhance WHO's support for Burkina Faso's health priorities. To achieve this, he and his dedicated teams focused intensely on mobilizing financial resourc...

The security landscape in northern Mali has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent days, sparking widespread concern. Following the symbolic loss of Kidal, insurgent factions have maintained a rapid momentum, while the Groupe de soutien à l'islam et aux musulmans (JNIM) has introduced a new political dimension by advocating for the removal of the current transition administration. A significant military retreat in the north The current situation draws parallels to the events of 2012. On May 1, 2026, combatants from the JNIM and the Front de libération de l'Azawad (FLA) successfully occupied the strategic military installations at Tessalit and Aguelhoc. This advance followed the withdrawal of the Forces armées maliennes (FAMa) and their Russian associates from Africa Corps, allowing...

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — executed joint airstrikes across northern Mali in the wake of coordinated assaults by al-Qaeda-linked militants and Tuareg separatists, as announced by Niger’s government late last week. On April 25, 2026, jihadist forces and their Tuareg allies launched their most significant offensive in Mali in over a decade, seizing the strategically vital city of Kidal and assassinating the country’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara. The AES, formed to counter regional terrorism, operates a unified military force that recently expanded from 5,000 to 15,000 personnel. In response to the escalating violence, the alliance’s air units conducted rapid and intensive aerial campaigns across Gao, Menaka, and Kidal within hours of ...

The synchronized assault launched across Mali on April 25 represented far more than a routine flare-up; it marked a definitive transformation in the nation's decade-long struggle. By targeting military hubs and major urban centers simultaneously, Islamist insurgents and Tuareg separatists managed to reclaim the strategic northern stronghold of Kidal from government forces supported by Russia. This surge demonstrates an operational capacity that now poses a direct threat to Bamako. For the Sahel region, and specifically for Algeria, the debate is no longer about whether instability exists, but whether any power remains capable of containing it. The consequences of the junta's strategic shift To grasp the current state of Mali, one must examine the geopolitical pivots following the 2021 cou...

Ulf’s viewMali's military administration, supported by Moscow, is currently struggling for survival following a coordinated assault by jihadist and Tuareg forces. This offensive led to the death of the defense minister and compelled Russian mercenaries to withdraw from the northern regions. Such events amplify concerns that the escalating instability could trigger a fresh wave of migration towards Europe and accelerate a broader security collapse across the entire Sahel region.The recent weekend attacks starkly revealed the profound vulnerability of the ruling junta, whose future now appears precarious. However, the repercussions of a destabilized Mali, further complicated by the wider effects of the Iran conflict, are unlikely to be confined within its borders. This situation threatens to...

Algeria's strategic partnership with Imam Mahmoud Dicko raises concerns across the Sahel The security landscape in Mali has deteriorated sharply, with escalating violence claiming numerous civilian and military lives. Recent assessments by Western security analysts suggest that Northern Mali could become a pivotal battleground affecting regional stability in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania. The shifting role of Imam Mahmoud Dicko in Sahelian geopolitics From his base in Algeria, Imam Mahmoud Dicko—once regarded solely as a spiritual leader—has evolved into a figure of significant political and religious influence. His rhetoric now resonates with elements of centralized religious authority, drawing comparisons to models like Iran’s leadership structure. Supporters describe ...

The Senegalese women’s national football team is set to face Tunisia in the second round of the Olympic qualification tournament for the Los Angeles 2028 Games (LA28), with a two-legged tie scheduled for October 2026. This pivotal matchup follows the draw for the African Women’s Olympic Football Qualifiers, held on April 29, which established the full competition schedule running from June 1, 2026, to December 4, 2027. Structured across five rounds of home-and-away matches, the qualification pathway begins with the lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA rankings. In the first round, the Sudan will take on the Comoros, South Sudan will face Madagascar, and Mauritius will challenge Djibouti. Teams ranked higher will enter the competition at the second stage, commencing in October 2026. Among them,...