West Africa

The largest oil reserves in Africa are found in Libya. After years of crisis, the oil sector is picking up steam again, with the country overtaking Nigeria to become the top African oil producer.

Featured: Are we heading towards a tightly controlled election in Togo? Check out the image below. Is there a chance that the upcoming election in Togo will be manipulated?

Exciting developments on bringing justice for crimes in Gambia during Yahya Jammeh's reign from 1994 to 2017. The Gambian National Assembly passed laws creating a special prosecutor's office and outlining the judicial process.

In Mali, some hostages taken on Tuesday, April 16 near Bandiagara were set free. Over 100 passengers from three buses traveling between Bankass and Bandiagara in the country's central region were stopped by armed men. Local sources report that the kidnappers are Jihadists from the JNIM (Group to Support Islam and Muslims), affiliated with al-Qaeda. Other hostages remain captive, and the selection process was not random.

In Guinea, the Lero district has been a hotspot for tension for over a week. This small area, located 140 km from the gold-rich city of Siguiri, near the Malian border, is experiencing unrest and riots targeting the mining company SMD. Locals claim that the gold company has not honored its commitments regarding hiring and infrastructure. Since the military entered the town last Monday, residents have reported deaths and gunshot injuries.

During tonight's broadcast: Rwanda could soon welcome migrants from the UK as part of a controversial agreement. Meanwhile, trade is rebounding at the Niger-Nigeria border, bringing relief to struggling importers. Lastly, we introduce Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge, who aims to win gold at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

In Senegal, the 15th contemporary African art biennial may not open on May 16 as planned due to insufficient funding. This globally renowned art event is held biennially in Dakar.

The political campaign in Togo continues ahead of next Monday's legislative and regional elections. This comes as lawmakers recently approved a contentious new Constitution that shifts the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system. President Faure Gnassingbé has two weeks to enact it. However, as preparations for the dual vote continue, the Catholic Church's request to deploy observers was turned down by the Electoral Commission.

In Guinea, the Sacred Union coalition was formed, uniting various civil society organizations and political parties around the UFDG, main opposition force. During their initial statement on Monday, the new alliance urged the junta to hold elections promptly. Coalition members claim that General Mamadi Doumbouya's presidency has missed several deadlines, indicating a desire to seize power.

Malian organizations that signed the March 31 declaration filed a petition on Monday, April 22, before the Supreme Court to annul the decree that suspended political activities on April 10. This coalition includes almost all political parties and civil society organizations in the country, of various perspectives. These groups are demanding to resume their activities, yet their chances of success appear slim.