After the deadly JNIM offensives, Malian authorities face mounting pressure In a series of coordinated strikes that have sent shockwaves through Mali’s central regions, the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) has intensified its campaign against government forces in Dioura and Sévaré. The latest assaults, which left no fewer thanContinue Reading
A century of letters that keeps sparking debate The literary communities of Benin and across Africa are marking a rare milestone, and the reactions are still pouring in. Born on 20 September 1926 in Ouidah, the writer, journalist and literary critic Olympe Bhêly-Quenum has now reached his 100th year. ForContinue Reading
In a bold Independence Day address, Mali’s transitional leader, General Assimi Goïta, has sparked intense public reaction by pledging both a military escalation against jihadist groups and a sweeping national reconciliation effort. Delivered as deadly attacks against Malian forces surge, the address marks a pivotal moment, leaving citizens and analystsContinue Reading
The palace in Niamey: a climate of fear and regret Does he ever miss the days when he was simply the head of the presidential guard, working in the shadows without a care? Today in Niamey, the atmosphere inside the presidential palace has become suffocating. A little over three yearsContinue Reading
The blurred line between news and war messaging in Mali In Mali’s media landscape, already strained by years of conflict, the boundary between factual reporting and wartime communication has not simply become unclear — it has been deliberately dismantled. At the center of this shift stands Maliweb.net, a portal onceContinue Reading
The second Regional Shareholding Forum in Cotonou has ended, but the debate it ignited is only gathering pace. Over two days in September 2026, institutional players, company leaders and market specialists pressed for a deep shift in how people across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) invest theirContinue Reading
The cultural partnership taking shape between Cotonou and Madrid is no longer a quiet diplomatic footnote. It has become a genuine talking point in both countries, sparking reactions from artists, cultural operators, tourism professionals and observers who now want to know one thing: what happens after the applause fades? TheContinue Reading
When a leader who seized power through a coup begins to fear being toppled himself, the consequences ripple far beyond the presidential palace. In Niger, the fallout from the 29 August coup attempt has sparked a far-reaching purge that is reshaping the country’s political landscape and raising uncomfortable questions aboutContinue Reading
A historic partnership enters a new phase The Republic of Benin and the Republic of Cuba are opening a fresh chapter in their long history of cooperation. Following a diplomatic meeting in Cotonou between Cuba’s ambassador, Denisse Amaro Salabarría, and leaders of the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIContinue Reading
Exactly twelve months have passed since Marguerite Essossimna Gnakadé, a former minister of the armed forces, was taken into custody on September 17, 2025. The anniversary has reignited public debate in Lomé and beyond, prompting fresh questions about the trajectory of Togo’s political landscape and the price of speaking outContinue Reading
Benin’s higher education system has taken a decisive step that could ripple through the national economy for years to come. On 15 September 2026, the Sèmè City Institute of Technology (SCITI) and the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA) signed a strategic agreement to launch a Master’s programme in “Design EngineeringContinue Reading
A US-trained officer at the heart of Niger’s military command Major General Moussa Salaou Barmou has become one of the Sahel’s most seasoned tacticians within Niger’s military hierarchy. His political prominence grew during the events of July 2023 in Niamey, but his operational credibility rests on a deep foundation builtContinue Reading