Top Stories (Page 168)

the silent hunger gripping Niger’s urban landscapes The sun dips below the horizon in the outskirts of Zinder, a city in southeastern Niger, casting long shadows over the makeshift market stalls. Rabiatou, a 29-year-old mother of one, carefully packs away her remaining stock of second-hand clothing, balanced precariously on herContinue Reading

In Bamako, the capital of Mali, former Prime Minister Moussa Mara stood calmly in a courtroom as judges dismissed his legal team’s request for provisional release. Instead, prosecutors demanded a two-year prison sentence—a move emblematic of the military junta’s tightening grip on political opposition and dissent in the country. SecurityContinue Reading

The Global Initiative Against Impunity (GIAI)—a coalition including FIDH, Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), Redress, Trial International and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice (WIGJ)—strongly condemns the announced withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move represents aContinue Reading

WHO strengthens partnerships with health NGOs in Mali to tackle humanitarian challenges Since 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) has led coordination efforts for health partners under the health cluster in Mali. As of 2025, the country faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with 6.4 million people—nearly 28% of Mali’s population—requiringContinue Reading

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised urgent concerns over Mali’s escalating political repression and the erosion of democratic norms under military leadership. Democratic backsliding in Mali The situation in Mali continues to deteriorate, with the country’s military leadership under General Assimi Goïta consolidating power through aContinue Reading

Niger’s judicial unions dissolved amid crackdown on dissent The Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains—a joint initiative of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)—has condemned the dissolution of five judicial unions in Niger by the Minister of Interior, PublicContinue Reading

Burkina Faso’s military junta takes strong stance against UN criticism The military government of Burkina Faso has recently declared Carol Flore-Smereczniak, the United Nations resident coordinator in the country, as persona non grata. This unprecedented move follows the publication of a critical UN report documenting severe violations against children inContinue Reading

Positive step but unresolved cases remain The Burkina Faso government has taken a welcome step by releasing five journalists and a human rights activist who were unlawfully conscripted into the military after criticizing the military junta. While this release marks progress, it also highlights the plight of others still missing,Continue Reading