Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities have taken decisive action, suspending 811 associations and dissolving another 118 since mid-April. These measures were attributed to the “non-renewal of their governing bodies” and the application of “existing legal provisions,” though further specifics were not provided. The organizations affected by these suspensions, effective from MayContinue Reading
Following the synchronized attacks on April 25 and 26 targeting key Malian cities such as Bamako, Kati, Gao, Sévaré, and Kidal, a previously unspoken question has re-emerged within Mali’s security discussions: should negotiations commence with jihadist organizations? Given the significant scale of the offensive, jointly executed by Jamaat Nusrat al-IslamContinue Reading
Chad’s air force launched a swift response following the “devastating night assaults” by jihadist factions on the Barka Tolorom military installation. These attacks, occurring on May 4, tragically claimed the lives of 25 individuals, including two generals, and left 46 wounded. Reports indicate that “Chadian fighter jets are targeting islandsContinue Reading
In the high-stakes arena of global politics, timing dictates outcomes—and missteps can have irreversible consequences. The decision by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all under military governance—to sever its ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is increasingly resembling a high-riskContinue Reading
Share Share on Facebook Share on Bluesky Share on LinkedIn Share Executive summary Following a series of military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, press freedom in the three Sahel countries has witnessed an increasingly downward trend. Independent journalism faces threats from both regime authorities as well as broaderContinue Reading
The nations spanning the Sahelian belt, a geographical area stretching from Mali to Chad, hardly present themselves as an emerging economic powerhouse. Far from being a magnet for foreign direct investment like Singapore, the region faces severe challenges. Key economic indicators for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger reveal significant vulnerabilities.Continue Reading
The landscape of partisan politics in Burkina Faso underwent a radical transformation at the end of January 2026. On January 29, the administration of Captain Ibrahim Traoré formally disbanded all political organizations, including the very groups that had championed his rise to power in September 2022. While these organizations hadContinue Reading
When the infamous Russian mercenary outfit, the Wagner Group, declared its withdrawal from Mali earlier this year, it publicly stated on social media that its “mission was accomplished.” In reality, the group had been engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations for three and a half years, with devastating consequences: theContinue Reading
Human rights advocates are urging Niger’s military authorities to immediately release former President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held in arbitrary detention for two years following a coup that overthrew his elected government. The crisis began on July 26, 2023, when officers from the self-proclaimed National Council for the SafeguardContinue Reading
As persistent insecurity and forced displacement continue to plague central and northern regions of Mali, women face increasingly severe risks of gender-based violence, a United Nations agency has warned. Presenting findings from a survey conducted last May, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency for sexual and reproductiveContinue Reading
Click to expand Image (Nairobi) – Human Rights Watch reported today that the military junta in Burkina Faso detained three journalists on March 24, 2025, for their coverage of the government’s escalating crackdown on media outlets. Authorities in the capital, Ouagadougou, apprehended Guezouma Sanogo and Boukari Ouoba, who serve asContinue Reading
