Tuesday, November 3
Niger’s seismic shift: why this sahel coup reverberates differently
25Aug By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments
Authoritarian Regimes & Africa

Niger’s seismic shift: why this sahel coup reverberates differently

The military takeover in Niger on July 26, orchestrated by General Abdourahamane Tiani, which deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, marks the latest in a troubling wave of such events sweeping across the Sahel. This incident brings the total number of coups in the region to seven since 2020. What distinguishes this particular power grab are the unprecedented reactions from both regional and global stakeholders, characterized by a mix of intense condemnation, profound division, and strategic confusion. This event carries significantly higher international stakes and potentially greater perils than its predecessors. It could very well signify a critical turning point for security dynamics, governance structures, multilateral cooperation, and the broader landscape of international relations acros...
Read More
Benin’s opposition challenges government on Niger military intervention
14Aug By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments
International

Benin’s opposition challenges government on Niger military intervention

Following the military coup in Niger on July 26, 2023, international responses were swift. Major organizations such as CEDEAO, the AU, and nations like the USA, France, and Russia quickly articulated their positions. Within Bénin, President Patrice Talon's involvement and the discussions surrounding a potential armed intervention have met with considerable dissent. Western media reports suggest Bénin might commit troops alongside CEDEAO forces to confront the military junta. Numerous stakeholders, including the Catholic Church and political figures, have openly declared that a military approach is not the optimal solution, instead advocating for diplomatic engagement to resolve the crisis. Elected representatives from the opposition party, « Les Démocrates », have directly questioned the ...
Read More
Bénin opposition party calls for diplomatic resolution in Niger crisis
5Aug By Fati SeyniNo Comments
News

Bénin opposition party calls for diplomatic resolution in Niger crisis

The ongoing political instability in Niger and the potential for a military strike by the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) have raised serious alarms within the Les Démocrates party in Bénin. In a formal statement released on August 5, 2023, the party's leader, Eric Houndété, remarked that the military takeover has placed Niger in a precarious position, while also attracting various opportunists looking to exploit the turmoil. Condemning the rise of military takeovers The Les Démocrates party has voiced its strong disapproval of any forceful seizure of power, regardless of the circumstances. They expressed deep concern over the growing trend of coups across West Africa. According to Eric Houndété, these political shifts are often the result of systemic injustice, the sup...
Read More
Strengthening human rights protection mechanisms in the Sahel’s three-border zone
23May By Fati SeyniNo Comments
News

Strengthening human rights protection mechanisms in the Sahel’s three-border zone

In Niamey, the President of the Commission Nationale des Droits Humains (CNDH), Maty El Hadj Moussa, recently inaugurated a regional conference dedicated to safeguarding human rights within the volatile Sahel region. The summit specifically addressed the security challenges faced in the "three borders" area encompassing Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. High-level attendees included the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, the Africa Director of DCAF, and the German Ambassador to Niger. Objectives of the regional dialogue Spanning two days, this meeting aims to educate stakeholders on optimal human rights protection strategies while enhancing their ability to use preventative tools against violations. Furthermore, the conference seeks to bolster the rule of law and governance...
Read More
Press freedom crisis in Mali and Burkina Faso sparks international outcry
3May By Fati SeyniNo Comments
Top Stories

Press freedom crisis in Mali and Burkina Faso sparks international outcry

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...
Read More
Burkina Faso’s escalating crackdown on press freedom: french journalists expelled
4Apr By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments
Culture

Burkina Faso’s escalating crackdown on press freedom: french journalists expelled

Click to expand Image Une télévision montre le signal coupé de la chaîne France 24, quelques heures après que le gouvernement militaire du Burkina Faso ait suspendu la chaîne, le 27 mars 2023. © 2023 Olympia de Maismont/AFP via Getty Images The transitional military government in Burkina Faso has delivered another blow to media freedom, ordering the departure of two French journalists, Agnès Faivre of Libération and Sophie Douce from Le Monde. Both reporters possessed valid visas and official accreditations, underscoring the arbitrary nature of their removal from the country. Reports from both newspapers indicate that on March 31, national intelligence agents summoned and questioned the two journ...
Read More
Panafrican influencer blocked in Paris for alleged prorussian propaganda ties
17Oct By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments
Top Stories

Panafrican influencer blocked in Paris for alleged prorussian propaganda ties

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...
Read More
Reforming health financing in Niger through stronger partner coordination
18May By Fati SeyniNo Comments
Politics

Reforming health financing in Niger through stronger partner coordination

bridging gaps in health financing for universal coverage in Niger Nestled in West Africa, the Niger faces formidable challenges: recurring armed conflicts and prolonged droughts have strained its health system, pushing maternal and child mortality rates among the highest globally. In response, the Government of Niger has committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), building on lessons from past attempts to expand access to essential health services. In 2006, as health outcomes reached a critical low, the Government launched a bold initiative: free healthcare for women and children under five. This policy provided free reproductive health services, family planning, and a wide range of pediatric care. While the program showed early promise, its progress was derailed by chronic u...
Read More
Pro-russian voices in africa: the networks of influence behind kremlin support
31Mar By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments
Top Stories

Pro-russian voices in africa: the networks of influence behind kremlin support

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. ...
Read More
19Aug By Fati SeyniNo Comments
Top Stories

Mali faces severe human rights violations in 2025

Human Rights Crisis in Mali: A 2025 Overview In 2025, Mali continues to grapple with a deepening human rights crisis, marked by severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Authorities have further clamped down on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, with political opponents and civil society members facing arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, and detentions. Both government forces and allied armed groups have been implicated in unlawful killings and violent attacks against civilians. Additionally, militant factions have imposed severe blockades, crippling access to essential services in several urban centers. As of mid-2025, over 2,036 schools remain shuttered due to the escalating conflict, depriving countless children of their right to education. Political...
Read More
1Jun By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments
Top Stories

Niger’s health common fund evaluated by french development agency

The Niger health sector has long grappled with structural underfunding, prompting the launch of a multi-donor initiative: the Health Common Fund. Established in 2006 under the guidance of the Ministry of Public Health, with initial support from the Agence française de développement (AFD) and the World Bank, this fund now unites six major donors. Between 2015 and 2019, it mobilized an impressive €91 million to bolster the country's healthcare system. Designed to enhance population health—particularly for women and children—the fund aligns with Niger's Health Development Plan (PDS), strengthening the government's capacity to deliver nationwide health services. A recent evaluation, featured in AFD's Africa report, highlights both achievements and areas for growth within this innovative finan...
Read More