Tuesday, November 3
Burkina Faso makes historic malaria progress toward 2030 goals
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Burkina Faso makes historic malaria progress toward 2030 goals

Burkina Faso has achieved a landmark milestone in its fight against malaria, a disease the nation is determined to eliminate by 2030. In 2025, the country recorded a historic decline in both malaria cases and fatalities. Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, Minister of Health, addressed the media in Ouagadougou on February 20, 2026, highlighting these encouraging results. The number of malaria cases plunged from 10,805,000 in 2024 to 7,329,000 in 2025—a 32% reduction. Among children under five, the decline exceeded 1.9 million cases, representing a 38% drop. Malaria-related deaths also fell sharply, from 3,523 in 2024 to 1,900 in 2025—a 48% decrease. For children under five, deaths decreased from 893 in the previous year to a significantly lower figure in 2025. Speaking to reporters, Dr. K...
Burkina Faso slashes medicine prices to boost healthcare access
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Burkina Faso slashes medicine prices to boost healthcare access

Burkina Faso's bold move: historic price cuts on essential medicines In a groundbreaking initiative, Burkina Faso has announced a sweeping reduction in the prices of essential generic medicines and medical supplies, with reductions as steep as 72%. This landmark decision aims to ease the financial burden on households and improve equitable access to healthcare across the nation. Key details of the price reductions: Tablets and capsules: Up to 67.27% price drop for certain generic forms Injectables: A 53.47% reduction in costs Syrups and suspensions: 20% cheaper for families Medical supplies: Dramatic 72.73% cut in pricing The announcement follows a Council of Ministers meeting on February 12, 2026, where authorities approved the measures to take effect on March 1, 2026. The r...
African union summit: coup leaders should not be allowed to run in elections
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African union summit: coup leaders should not be allowed to run in elections

The 39th African Union summit concluded with a bold declaration: to silence the guns and firmly reject unconstitutional power changes across the continent. But is this commitment realistic? Paul-Simon Handy, a Cameroonian researcher and Regional Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) for East Africa, shared his insights from Addis Ababa during Africa Midi. Can the African Union enforce its zero-tolerance stance on coups? During the summit, African leaders pledged to take a hard line against unconstitutional power transfers, a recurring issue on the continent. Yet, the elephant in the room remains: how can these declarations translate into action when some former coup leaders are now running for—and even winning—elections? Paul-Simon Handy, wh...
Unacceptable rise of coup leaders in african democracy
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Unacceptable rise of coup leaders in african democracy

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. ...
Jihadist violence escalates in Niger’s Tillabéri with deadly civilian attack
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Jihadist violence escalates in Niger’s Tillabéri with deadly civilian attack

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...
How Washington is reshaping its Sahel influence with Morocco as a regional pivot
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How Washington is reshaping its Sahel influence with Morocco as a regional pivot

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...
Solar energy powers healthcare in niafounké Mali
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Solar energy powers healthcare in niafounké Mali

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...
Mali’s anti-corruption efforts: a dip in global rankings
Politics

Mali’s anti-corruption efforts: a dip in global rankings

Deux personnes échangent des billets de Banque à Bamako, le 27 octobre 2023 📷 Studio Tamani/Fondation HirondelleMali's standing in Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perception Index has experienced a setback. The West African nation now occupies the 136th position worldwide, marking a one-place decline from its previous 135th rank. This places Mali behind its regional allies, Niger and Burkina Faso, both members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) confederation.The Corruption Perception Index is a crucial tool designed to evaluate countries' performance in tackling corruption. For the 2025 assessment, a total of 182 nations were scrutinized. Mali achieved a score of 28 out of a possible 100, landing it at the 136th spot. This slight regression occurs despite various efforts by...
Corruption : le nouveau classement révèle des reculs
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Corruption : le nouveau classement révèle des reculs

corruptionAfriqueCorruption : le nouveau classement révèle des reculsSandrine Blanchard | Alexa Meyer10/02/202610 février 2026Transparency International publie son nouvel Indice de perception de la corruption, qui évalue le niveau perçu de corruption dans le secteur public de 180 pays.https://p.dw.com/p/58SyhSelon l'indice de perception de la corruption 2025 (IPC) de Transparency International, la corruption s'aggrave à l'échelle mondiale. Y compris dans les démocraties établies qui sont confrontées à une augmentation de la corruption dans un contexte de déclin du leadership politique. L'IPC classe 182 pays et territoires en fonction de leur niveau perçu de corruption dans le secteur public sur une échelle de zéro (très corrompu) à 100 (très propre). Plus des deux tiers des pays ont un r...
Drone strike in Niger kills 17 civilians in kokoloko
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Drone strike in Niger kills 17 civilians in kokoloko

A military drone strike in the Niger village of Kokoloko, located in the Tillabéri region, resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 17 civilians—including four children—and left 13 others injured. The attack, which also claimed the lives of three Islamist fighters, occurred on January 6, 2026, at a bustling local market. The strike has raised serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks that fail to distinguish between combatants and civilians. Experts suggest the incident could constitute a war crime if conducted with criminal intent. Understanding the aftermath of the Niger drone strike The Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), an active armed group in the region, has been operating in and around Kokoloko for y...
Mali’s health system fortified with new gavi-funded 4×4 vehicles
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Mali’s health system fortified with new gavi-funded 4×4 vehicles

In a significant move to enhance healthcare accessibility across Mali, the Ministry of Health and Social Development officially received 39 robust 4x4 all-terrain vehicles. This crucial delivery, which took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, aims to bolster the nation's health infrastructure and expand access to vital health services, particularly vaccination programs, in the country's most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities. The handover ceremony was conducted at the Ministry of Health's headquarters within Bamako's Cité administrative.These vehicles represent an investment valued at 689 million CFA francs. According to Assa Badiallo Touré, the Minister of Health, this consignment is a direct outcome of the robust and productive collaboration between her ministry and Gavi, the Vac...
Niger’s security situation under president Tiani: what progress has been made?
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Niger’s security situation under president Tiani: what progress has been made?

In a bold and unprecedented move, armed factions linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) launched a daring assault on the heart of Niamey, Niger’s capital. Late on January 28, 2025, a coordinated assault on Niamey’s airport and the adjacent 101st military base saw militants targeting both civilian aircraft and military installations, setting several vehicles ablaze. A video released by the attackers provided a chilling glimpse into their operation, highlighting the vulnerability of one of West Africa’s most critical security zones. Assessing Niger’s security landscape under President Tiani Since assuming leadership in the aftermath of a pivotal political transition, President Abdourahamane Tiani has faced immense pressure to stabilize a nation grappling with escalating e...