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Mali is reaching a pivotal moment in its fight against malaria. By implementing the WHO-endorsed R21/Matrix-M vaccine, the regions of Kayes and Mopti are pioneering a fresh immunization approach. This medical shield, combining seasonal delivery with careful monitoring, is now safeguarding thousands of Malian children.Demonstrating its commitment to public health, Mali has integrated the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine into its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Supported by international partners like Gavi, UNICEF, and the WHO, this rollout focuses on 19 priority districts across five regions, with Kayes and Mopti leading the way through advanced methodology.The "hybrid" strategy: A precision health toolMoving beyond traditional vaccination methods, Mali has adopted a hybrid model. Thi...

The village of Bosiye, located in western Niger, has been struck by a devastating assault that claimed the lives of 31 residents. Local reports indicate that the violence also left four individuals in critical condition, currently receiving urgent medical care in the hospital. Security crisis in the Tillabéri region This latest incident occurred in the Gorouol district within the Tillabéri region, a volatile area frequently referred to as the "three borders" zone due to its proximity to Burkina Faso and Mali. For nearly a decade, this sector has been a focal point for conflict involving extremist factions associated with Al-Qaeda (JNIM) and the Islamic State (IS). Such tragedies highlight the ongoing challenges in African politics and governance Africa faces regarding security in the Sah...

From January 23 to February 12, seven leading humanitarian organizations will unveil a powerful photographic exhibition in the heart of Brussels, at the Halles Saint-Géry. Titled "In Their Eyes", the display offers an unfiltered glimpse into the ongoing humanitarian emergency gripping Mali. The exhibition, supported by the European Union, features around 30 powerful images captured by Malian photographer Tiécoura N'Daou. These photographs were taken in September 2025 across the Gao and Mopti regions—areas deeply affected by conflict and displacement, where partner NGOs continue their vital work with EU backing. The exhibition’s core mission is to document the crisis through the eyes of those enduring it daily. Visitors will encounter the harrowing stories of displaced families, the strug...

Mali is experiencing a swift and concerning escalation of diphtheria, a preventable illness, since mid-September. This rapid outbreak is thriving amidst a vulnerable healthcare infrastructure, persistent shortages, and increasingly restricted humanitarian access across the nation. By early December, official figures indicated over 530 cases and more than 30 fatalities. However, the United Nations cautions that the actual toll is likely significantly higher due to widespread underreporting. The central regions of Mopti and Ségou, along with Timbuktu in the northwest, are reporting the highest mortality rates. These areas are already grappling with severe insecurity, constrained movement, and failing public services. Within these vulnerable territories, the disease is exacerbated by vaccine ...

For a long time, accessing medical treatment was an insurmountable challenge for many citizens of Burkina Faso. A financial wall stood between patients and hospitals until March 13, 2024, when the government decided to dismantle it. By slashing prices for essential exams and removing the heavy deposit for dialysis in public facilities, the State has fundamentally transformed the medical landscape. Here is a look at the impact on the ground. In the crowded corridors of national hospitals, the tension of the past is slowly giving way to hope. Previously, healthcare felt like a privilege reserved for the wealthy rather than a basic human right, primarily due to prohibitive costs and mandatory deposits that many families simply could not afford. At the Bogodogo University Hospital Center, Ma...

The leadership of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is convening in Bamako this Monday for a two-day summit. This marks the second session of the heads of state for the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).According to the Malian Government Information Center (CIGMA), this high-level meeting allows leaders to assess the progress made since the foundational summit in Niamey on July 6, 2024. The agenda includes tackling security, diplomatic, and developmental hurdles, as well as appointing a new confederation president.The Malian government emphasizes that this session serves as a progress report for the confederation’s first year. It also aims to move toward the full operationalization of its various institutions while addressing both regional and global geopolitical issues.Beyond the init...

can 2025: why moroccan fans refuse to accept anything but victory As the CAN 2025 approaches, African football fever is reaching its peak. The Moroccan national team, known as the Lions of the Atlas, is under immense pressure to deliver a long-overdue triumph on home soil. For Ibrahim, a 20-year-old supporter now studying sports management in Ottawa, this year’s tournament is more than just a competition—it’s a decade-long dream in the making. a nation hungry for its first can title in nearly half a century The Moroccan football team last lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy in 1976, and the wait has been excruciating. After their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup run—where they reached the semifinals for the first time—the pressure to succeed on home turf has never been greater. I...

The National Anti-Corruption Week for 2025 officially began on December 9, 2025, in Bamako, under the auspices of Mamoudou Kassogué, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights. This annual event, designed to inform the public about ongoing Mali anti-corruption efforts, maintained its powerful theme from the previous year: “Uniting with youth against corruption: shaping tomorrow’s integrity.”During his keynote address, Minister Kassogué emphasized the critical need for widespread mobilization to counter the “immeasurable” repercussions of corruption. He referenced former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who characterized corruption as an “insidious evil” that erodes democratic foundations, undermines the rule of law, and paves the way for organized crime and terrorism.🎯 Transition Government’...

Fada N’Gourma – While poliomyelitis remains a formidable threat, it is entirely preventable through immunization. Across Burkina Faso, dedicated mothers are taking a stand, ensuring their children are shielded from diseases that can be stopped with a simple vaccine.The maternal commitment to healthIn the Sector 9 health district of Fada N’Gourma, Nadège Thiombiano is a mother on a mission. Her 13-month-old daughter, Mouzaratou, is the center of her world. When news reached her of a fresh polio vaccination drive, Nadège didn't hesitate. She prepared her child early, viewing the appointment not just as a medical necessity, but as a sacred vow. Having witnessed the devastating physical toll of polio in her community, she is determined that her children will never suffer the same fate. "Immuni...

The United Nations and its partners are urgently calling for $5.1 billion in 2026 to address the escalating humanitarian crisis affecting 24 million people across West and Central Africa. This appeal is part of a broader global humanitarian funding request of $33 billion, aimed at protecting the most vulnerable populations from hunger, displacement, and worsening security threats in the region. a region under pressure: conflict, climate, and displacement In 2026, an estimated 42 million people in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chad will require urgent humanitarian assistance to survive and stay safe. Charles Bernimolin, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for Wes...

The United Nations has issued an urgent call to action for West and Central Africa, where a severe humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. With 24 million vulnerable individuals in dire need of support, the UN and its partners are seeking $5.1 billion in funding to address the growing emergency in 2026. Escalating crises across the Sahel and beyond In 2026, an estimated 42 million people across eight countries—including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chad—will require urgent assistance to survive and remain safe. The situation remains precarious, with families facing increased hunger, displacement, and protection risks. “Without immediate resources, the suffering will intensify,” warns Charles Bernimolin, H...

In recent years, West Africa has witnessed a troubling surge in military coups, reshaping the political landscape across the continent. Since 2020, several nations have experienced abrupt transfers of power, often driven by discontent over governance, security crises, and constitutional disputes. The latest incident in Benin follows this pattern, underscoring the fragility of democratic institutions in the region. A group of soldiers seized control of Benin's state television on Sunday, declaring the overthrow of President Patrice Talon and the dissolution of the government. The attempted coup lasted several hours before authorities confirmed it had been thwarted. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou later stated that the mutineers had launched a rebellion to destabilize the state, emphasizi...