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Invité Afrique Midi unacceptable rise of coup leaders in african democracy Listen - 05:45 The 39th African Union summit concluded with a strong declaration: silencing arms and rejecting unconstitutional power transfers. But can this commitment be taken seriously? Cameroonian researcher Paul-Simon Handy, East Africa Regional Director at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), shares his insights from Addis Ababa as a guest on Africa Midi. ...

Violent jihadist attack leaves 31 dead in Niger’s Tillabéri The Tillabéri region in western Niger has once again fallen victim to the brutal tactics of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS), as a fresh massacre of civilians unfolded on January 18. According to local reports and testimonies gathered by Human Rights Watch, armed militants descended upon the village of Bossiye around midday, executing at least 31 men and children in a coordinated attack. The brutal onslaught and its devastating impact Witness accounts describe a horrific scene as approximately 100 jihadists, armed with motorcycles, stormed the village. The attackers, believed to be affiliated with the EIGS, targeted innocent civilians without discrimination. Survivors recounted how the militants opened fire indiscrimi...

The geopolitical landscape of the Sahel is undergoing a subtle but profound transformation. As European military presence fades in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and Russia expands its footprint through various state-linked structures, the United States appears to be stepping up its involvement. However, according to Emmanuel Dupuy, president of the IPSE, this is less of a sudden return and more of a strategic positioning.Dupuy suggests that Washington never truly abandoned the Sahel; instead, it waited for the influence of other international actors to erode before asserting its own role. This strategy reflects a deeply pragmatic American approach, where Washington is willing to negotiate with diverse stakeholders to protect its security and economic interests, regardless of ideological d...

In the heart of Tombouctou region, northern Mali, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has transformed healthcare delivery at Niafounké Hospital by installing a cutting-edge solar energy system. This innovative solution not only enhances the hospital's operational independence but also ensures uninterrupted medical care in a region plagued by isolation and persistent security threats. a sustainable solution for a critical healthcare facility The Niafounké Hospital previously relied heavily on an outdated diesel-powered thermal plant, which frequently experienced power outages. Medical teams were forced to depend on a costly and unreliable generator to maintain essential services. Today, the newly installed photovoltaic solar system meets approximately 60% of the hospital's energy demands, signi...

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has strongly criticized the Burkina Faso government’s recent measures to restrict civic space, calling for an immediate reversal of policies that ban political parties and suppress dissent.In a press statement, Türk emphasized that suppressing political freedoms and detaining individuals for expressing dissent contradicts human rights obligations under international law. He urged authorities to reopen civic space, allow political parties to operate, and guarantee freedom of association and expression without restrictions.New restrictions fuel concerns over democratic backslidingOn January 29, 2026, the Burkina Faso government announced plans to dissolve all political parties and repeal the legal framework governing them. S...

escalating repression by military juntas in west africa and the Sahel In 2025, West African nations grappled with a surge in repression as military juntas tightened their grip on power, undermining democratic processes and silencing dissent. This trend, highlighted in recent reports, reveals a disturbing pattern of authoritarian consolidation across the region. Click to expand Image Reports from human rights organizations underscore the growing threats to civil liberties in countries like Nigeria and the Sahel, where both extremist groups and government forces continue to target civilians and critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, military juntas in the Sahel have systematically dismantled r...

Burkina Faso's mobile clinics revolutionize cervical cancer screening in rural areas Ouagadougou – When Awa, a 48-year-old mother of six from Ipendo in Burkina Faso's Centre-Ouest region, heard the town crier announce free cervical cancer screening nearby, she hesitated. "What if they told me I had the disease? How would I afford treatment?" she recalled. But thinking of her children, she decided to go—and her story reflects the journey of thousands of women across the country. Cervical cancer has long been one of the deadliest cancers affecting women in Burkina Faso. Before the World Health Organization's (WHO) global elimination strategy, screening coverage was dismally low—under 8%—with rural women facing the greatest barriers. Many had to travel long distances to reach equipped healt...

In the early hours of January 29, gunfire and explosions shattered the calm around Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport. The rare direct assault on Niger’s capital was later claimed by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahel (ISGS) through its AMAQ propaganda outlet.The attack, which lasted about an hour, was repelled following an aeroterrestrial counteroffensive by Nigerien forces. Official reports—though unverifiable by independent sources—indicate twenty attackers killed, eleven captured, and four soldiers injured. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on February 2 that troops from the Africa Corps, a unit under the Russian Defense Ministry, had assisted in securing the area alongside Nigerien forces.Russian involvement and strategic stakes at Niamey airportGeneral Abdourahamane Ti...

The United States has signaled a major pivot in its strategy toward three West African nations currently fighting Islamist extremists. As the military administrations in these countries distance themselves from France to forge closer ties with Russia, Washington is seeking to redefine its role in the region. The State Department recently announced that Nick Checker, head of the Bureau of African Affairs, would travel to Bamako, the capital of Mali. His objective is to convey American respect for the sovereignty of Mali and to establish a “new direction” for bilateral relations, moving beyond previous diplomatic friction. Furthermore, the U.S. expressed a desire to collaborate with Mali‘s neighbors, Burkina Faso and Niger, on mutual security and economic interests. Notab...

Earlier today, Niamey, the capital of Niger, experienced a sudden outbreak of gunfire and explosions near its international airport, according to a Reuters correspondent on-site. The intense gunfire, which began nearly an hour prior, was still ongoing as of 00:12 GMT, the journalist confirmed. A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) depicted the city’s sky lit up by gunshots, though Reuters has yet to verify the footage independently. A spokesperson for Niger’s military government, which seized power in a 2023 coup, could not be reached for immediate comment regarding the incident. Niger faces persistent security threats from armed jihadist groups affiliated with both Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, mirroring challenges faced by neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso. By Fati Seyni — Analyst...

The decision by the countries within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to withdraw from ECOWAS was intended as a bold assertion of sovereignty. However, this move has simultaneously created significant barriers to the free movement of people and merchandise originating from these three nations. Essential administrative documents, including passports, national identity cards, and driving licenses, have emerged as a primary obstacle for citizens of the AES who wish to travel throughout the ECOWAS zone. Almou Yacouba, the general secretary of the Democratic Road Union of Niger, has highlighted the specific difficulties encountered when attempting to enter ECOWAS territory. “We are facing serious concerns regarding international registration cards and international driving permits. S...

The United States is maintaining its security partnership with the military administrations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, currently united under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This ongoing engagement follows years of heightened diplomatic friction, according to General John Brennan, the Deputy Commander of Africom. “Our collaboration remains active. We have continued to exchange intelligence with some of these partners to help neutralize significant terrorist threats, though the landscape has evolved drastically from what we saw a few years ago,” John Brennan explained. “We are striving to coordinate with them and provide transparency regarding our mission to assist, despite the presence of competing interests attempting to influence them with false narratives ...