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The Malian military government is currently under intense pressure following coordinated strikes across various urban centers, including the capital, Bamako. These offensives, carried out by Tuareg insurgents in league with extremist factions, have exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's security. Surprisingly, the Russian forces stationed there to support the junta opted to withdraw from the northern stronghold of Kidal without engaging the enemy. Startling footage has emerged showing a convoy of Russian troops departing Kidal. This retreat occurred without a single bullet being fired, effectively handing control of the city to a coalition of Tuareg rebels and jihadist fighters. In the landscape of African politics, this marks a significant shift in the territorial control of northern Ma...

Despite Mali's transitional authorities banking on a strengthened military partnership with Moscow to restore peace, the security landscape remains dire as of April 25. Between a fragile evacuation pact brokered with rebels in Kidal and a sudden resurgence of clashes in Kati—the nerve center of the nation's power—the viability of the 'all-military' strategy, bolstered by Russian mercenaries, is increasingly under scrutiny. Kidal's uneasy truce: a tactical retreat or strategic failure? In a surprising development, reports indicate that a temporary agreement was reached between Tuareg rebel factions and Russian paramilitary units to facilitate the withdrawal of the latter from key areas in the Kidal region. While framed as a humanitarian move to minimize civilian casualties, the deal unde...

As the dust settles on the highly anticipated OM-Nice clash, Senegalese goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf has shared his season reflections with L’Équipe. From the bench to the pitch, the international experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in the thrilling Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. «The match was surreal,» admits Diouf, who previously played for Reims. «Like many, I’d have wished for a different outcome—not just the victory, but the entire context. Too many controversies overshadowed the federations, the tournament, and the continent. In the end, what matters is the game was played, and Senegal triumphed.» Yéhvann Diouf opens up about his experience in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, including the controversial incident that followed. The 1-0...

The dust has barely settled on the shifting sands of power in the Sahel when a new military player emerges on the scene: Africa Corps, Moscow’s latest paramilitary force now shaping events in Mali and beyond. This shadowy organization, which has quietly taken over some of the most strategic positions held by its predecessor, Wagner, is proving to be a resilient tool for Kremlin influence across Africa. In a dramatic turn of events over the past weekend, rebels allied with Tuareg separatists launched coordinated attacks targeting key military sites under the control of Mali’s ruling junta. Among the fallout was the loss of Kidal, a critical stronghold that had been firmly held by Africa Corps for years. After intense clashes and tense negotiations, the Russian-backed force withdrew, markin...

The Africa Corps, a shadowy Russian paramilitary unit, has recently faced a significant setback in the Sahel. Rebel forces, including Islamist factions and Touareg separatists, seized the strategic city of Kidal—a stronghold controlled by the group for years. Though the militants have withdrawn, Moscow’s influence in the region remains intact. The abrupt retreat from Kidal marks a turning point in the group’s operations across West Africa. Since its establishment in late 2023, Africa Corps has emerged as a key player in Russia’s military strategy, inheriting some of Wagner Group’s former strongholds and operations. Unlike its predecessor, however, this new force operates with greater discretion, avoiding the controversies that plagued Wagner. From Wagner to Africa Corps: a shift in str...

Il était destiné à tutoyer les étoiles, lui le gamin fan d'astronomie qui scrutait le ciel du Val-de-Marne avec son télescope. Arrivé l'été dernier à Nice, Yéhvann Diouf a vécu une saison d'une intensité folle, entre galères collectives, une CAN victorieuse avec le Sénégal - le Maroc a ensuite été désigné vainqueur sur tapis vert par la CAF, qui attend la décision du TAS pour valider définitivement l'identité du champion - dont il fut un héros improbable avec l'épisode de la serviette, et la perte provisoire de sa place de titulaire dans le but azuréen à son retour.Ce passionné de sport, de la F1 au basket en passant par le MMA, ambitionne d'éviter au Gym de revivre les tourments de l'exercice précédent, marqué par une finale de Coupe de France perdue face au PSG et une relégation en Ligue...

The situation. In a lengthy broadcast on Niger's national television, RTN, on April 21, General Mohamed Toumba, the Minister of the Interior, covered a wide array of topics concerning national security. During the two-and-a-half-hour interview, as Niger faces a surge in jihadist attacks, especially in the Tillabéry region, the general repeated the junta's frequent accusations against France.He also addressed the deeply strained relations between Niamey and Cotonou. This discussion on African politics comes as Patrice Talon's term in Bénin is set to conclude, with his successor, Romuald Wadagni, scheduled for inauguration on May 24."Patrice Talon is gone, but Talon was not the real problem. The real problem is Macron," asserted the Nigerian general. "We say that Talon is someone who is bein...

Following the official validation of the results from Benin’s presidential election held on April 12, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron extended a formal letter of congratulations to the newly elected Beninese head of state, Romuald Wadagni. This diplomatic correspondence underscored not only the outcome of the vote but also the French leader’s best wishes for a prosperous term ahead. Macron emphasized the importance of fostering national unity, long-term stability, and inclusive economic growth that uplifts every segment of Beninese society. This letter signals a clear intent from Paris to move beyond standard diplomatic courtesies and inject renewed energy into the bilateral relationship between France and Benin. Macron reiterated the deep historical, cultural, and human ties bin...

In the heart of Mali, where 6.4 million people rely on humanitarian aid, a profound crisis unfolds. Over 400,000 individuals have been displaced due to ongoing conflicts, with women and children bearing the brunt of this upheaval. Meanwhile, 1.5 million people face severe food shortages, and malnutrition plagues 1.5 million children under the age of five. Behind these stark statistics lie real stories—humanitarian workers, families, and communities struggling to survive. To bring these untold narratives to the forefront, seven humanitarian organizations, including Action Against Hunger, collaborated with Malian photographer and educator Tiécoura N'Daou. Their exhibition, "Mali: Personal Perspectives on the Humanitarian Crisis", recently concluded in Berlin, offering a poignant visual acco...