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call for urgent action on human rights violations in Burkina Faso The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (CADHP) must prioritize pressing human rights issues in Burkina Faso during the upcoming review on October 23, 2024. The Burkinabè government faces urgent calls to protect civilians caught in the armed conflict, safeguard civic space for activists, journalists, and opposition figures, and ensure accountability for grave abuses. key concerns in the 2023 government report Burkina Faso’s 2023 report, covering 2015–2021, fails to adequately address critical human rights challenges. These include widespread abuses by state security forces and Islamist armed groups in the conflict, restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms, and pervasive impunity for serious crimes. «...

In Africa, digital platforms have become a battleground for geopolitical influence. Among the most prominent voices in this arena is Kémi Séba, a 42-year-old Béninois activist whose anti-Western rhetoric has earned him a massive following across French-speaking Africa. Recently, French authorities stripped him of his citizenship via a decree published on July 9, following his public celebration of the decision on social media: "No more French nationality, glory to God. I am free from this burden." Once a leader of the now-dissolved supremacist group Tribu Ka—which propagated racist and antisemitic ideologies—Séba rebranded himself as a modern pan-African revolutionary. His online presence is formidable: over a million Facebook followers and viral YouTube content with hundreds of thousands...

The growing repression in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger exposes the failure of military regimes Across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, military juntas are tightening their grip through widespread repression, arbitrary detentions and severe restrictions on freedoms. This escalation comes as these regimes struggle with deepening crises of legitimacy, leaving human rights defenders and media outlets under severe pressure. A crisis of legitimacy and broken promises Analysts warn that the military governments in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are facing mounting challenges. Alioune Tine, president of Afrikajom Center, highlights the stark contrast between the rhetoric of these regimes and their actual performance. ‘’The situation in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger reveals a stark reality: mili...

The official withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS (Cédéao) is set to significantly restrict the ability of residents in these nations to seek justice through the Community Court of Justice. This development represents a major setback according to Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at a prominent human rights organization. She emphasizes that having an independent tribunal is essential for people in these three countries, where impunity for serious violations by state authorities and security forces is widespread and domestic legal options remain limited. A vital mechanism for legal recourse According to Ilaria Allegrozzi, the ECOWAS Court served as a fundamental safety net due to its jurisdiction over human rights violations. Historically, this court has delivered l...

Since the military takeover on July 26, 2023, Nigerien authorities have engaged in arbitrary arrests of numerous former government officials and have systematically suppressed critical media outlets and peaceful dissent, as reported today by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. These authorities must immediately release all individuals detained for politically motivated reasons and ensure that due process guarantees are rigorously upheld.On July 26, General Abdourahmane Tiani, alongside other Nigerien army officers forming the self-proclaimed Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie (CNSP), overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum's government. Since this coup, President Bazoum, his wife, and son have been held at the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital, while other offic...

press freedom crisis in Mali and Burkina Faso sparks international outcry Under the leadership of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), nearly thirty human rights and media organizations have issued a joint appeal to authorities in Mali and Burkina Faso, demanding an immediate halt to escalating press freedom violations in both nations. urgent call for press freedom protection In an unprecedented coordinated effort, RSF and a coalition of 29 media outlets and civil society organizations have sent an open letter to governments in Mali and Burkina Faso, regional bodies, and international institutions. The signatories urge authorities to: Cease all intimidation tactics against local and foreign journalists Uphold in...

A fierce battle for influence is unfolding across Africa as France and Russia engage in a high-stakes information war. Since Moscow’s 2018 intervention in the Central African Republic, Russia has aggressively pursued a hybrid warfare strategy to weaken France’s historical ties with the continent. By exploiting and manipulating public opinion, Moscow aims to replace Paris as the dominant external power in Africa’s strategic regions. While France has only recently acknowledged this covert campaign—previously visible in other global theaters since at least 2014—it is now countering with its own defensive measures. The stakes couldn’t be higher: Africa’s geopolitical landscape is shifting, and the outcome will determine which global powers shape the continent’s future alliances and economic p...

From the corridors of the Kremlin to the streets of African capitals, a network of influential figures actively promotes pro-Russian narratives across the continent. Among them, a mix of activists, media personalities, and political operators has emerged as key players in shaping public opinion and advancing Moscow’s interests in Africa. the kremlin’s african networks: how influence operations take shape At the heart of these efforts is Evgueni Prigojine, a close ally of Vladimir Poutine and the financier behind the Wagner Group. Prigojine leverages various fronts, including the Afric association, led by Mozambican academic José Matemulane from Maputo. The group, presided over by Ioulia Afanasieva—a longtime associate of Prigojine—serves as a conduit for pro-Kremlin messaging in Africa. ...

new pediatric unit in Koutiala hospital Malipediatricsexplore Koutiala, Mali, where our teams built a new pediatric unit to tackle child mortality.since 2009, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has run a pediatric program in Koutiala, southeastern Mali, to reduce child mortality through prevention and curative care across the region. To enhance care for young patients, MSF constructed a modern pediatric unit in Koutiala, following the project for over a year.malaria is a leading cause of child mortality in Koutiala. Affected children often lose their appetite, leading to malnutrition, while malnourished children become vulnerable to severe illnesses. MSF provides free, high-quality hospital care for critically ill children and strengthens pediatric services and access to healthcare in villages...