Future of democracy in the alliance of Sahel states
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — has become a focal point of debate as military juntas consolidate power in the region. Since 2020, these nations have experienced successive coups, each justified by the urgent need to combat terrorism and restore security. Yet,Continue Reading
Mali must drop alarming proposal to dissolve political parties
In response to Mali’s proposal to dissolve all political parties following consultations on the revision of the Political Parties Charter, Ousmane Diallo, Sahel Researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Regional Office, issued a stern warning: Such a move would represent a blatant violation of fundamental freedoms—specifically the rightsContinue Reading
Forced disappearances and illegal detentions in west african military regimes
Military regimes in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Niger are weaponizing forced disappearances and illegal detentions to crush criticism and suppress civil society, according to fresh reports. In Guinea, two prominent activists from the Front National pour la Défense de la Constitution—Mamadou Billo Bah and Oumar Sylla (alias “Foniké Menguè”)—wereContinue Reading
Mali pioneers hybrid malaria vaccine strategy for african children
Mali leads Africa with breakthrough hybrid malaria vaccine approach The Republic of Mali has made history by becoming the first country worldwide to implement a groundbreaking hybrid vaccination strategy against malaria. This innovative approach combines routine and seasonal dosing to maximize protection for children in high-transmission regions. On World MalariaContinue Reading
Crackdown on dissent in Burkina Faso escalates
Burkina Faso ramps up crackdown on critical voices In a concerning escalation of state repression, several Burkinabè journalists and activists have been added to a wanted list under the charge of ‘association with a terrorist enterprise’. This move is widely seen as a thinly veiled attempt to silence independent mediaContinue Reading
Burkina Faso’s military junta intensifies media crackdown, arresting journalists
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
Human rights under threat in Niger as military junta intensifies crackdown
Eighteen months following the July 26, 2023, coup d’état that ousted the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the military administration known as the CNSP is significantly tightening its control over Niger. A recent report by Amnesty International, released on March 18, documents a troubling pattern of forced disappearances, unlawful detentions,Continue Reading
Escalating repression of human rights defenders in Sahel nations
Sahel governments intensify crackdown on human rights activists amid democratic backsliding The Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad have witnessed a disturbing convergence in state repression tactics targeting human rights defenders and civil society organizations in recent years. This coordinated assault has severely eroded civic space and public freedoms acrossContinue Reading
How military juntas in Sahel nations block justice for human rights abuses
The Sahel region has seen a troubling trend: three neighboring countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—are now under the control of military juntas. These regimes share a troubling pattern beyond their borders, including widespread human rights violations and a systematic erosion of civil liberties. Click to expand Image why military ruleContinue Reading
Niger achieves historic onchocerciasis elimination, a first for africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially commended Niger for successfully meeting the criteria for onchocerciasis eradication, positioning it as the fifth nation globally and the inaugural country in Africa to receive WHO recognition for halting the transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus. “Achieving the elimination of any disease representsContinue Reading
Burkina Faso secures world bank funding to boost healthcare resilience and equity
World Bank Injects €142 Million to Transform Burkina Faso’s Health System The World Bank has greenlit a groundbreaking financial package totaling €142 million (USD 150 million) from the International Development Association (IDA) and an additional USD 17 million from the Global Financing Facility (GFF) to fund the Performance and ResilienceContinue Reading
Mali launches HPV vaccine to fight cervical cancer in women
Mali launches HPV vaccine in historic public health milestone In a landmark move to protect women’s health, the Malian government has integrated the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization program. The launch ceremony in Bamako, attended by health officials and international partners including Gavi, marks a turning pointContinue Reading