West Africa

In a letter to the French authorities, a copy of which Mediapart and the Guardian had, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions accuses the French army of obstructing the UN investigation into the murders of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in Mali. And condemns "troubled gray areas". In his letter of 30 pages…

The Court of Appeal of the International Criminal Court upheld the acquittals in favor of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé in January 2019. The two men are now free. But the case will have shed a strong light on the prosecution's deep malfunction and weakened prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's already fragile record. His successor, Karim Khan, is expected to reform in June.…

Where will the flagship meetings of African cultures take place in digital form or face to face in March? Here are eleven suggestions. Do not hesitate to send us your "essentials" to fipageculture@yahoo.fr. The New African Film Festival of Washington DC celebrates its 17th online edition, expanded to audiences across the…

At the end of his two constitutional terms, Mahamadou Issoufou handed over the president's keys to his successor, Mohamed Bazoum, on Friday morning. In his very first speech, the new president praised Mahamadou Issoufou, who is handing over after ten years in power. Mohamed Bazoum talked a lot about his 30-year-old friend, with…

Niger's newly elected president Mohamed Bazoum has been sworn in and marks the first democratic transfer of power in the West African state. Bazoum's inauguration on Friday comes days after Nigerian security forces countered an attempted military coup at the presidential palace overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. Niger is already facing unprecedented threats from terrorists near its troubled border with Mali. Bazoum succeeds President Mahamadou Issoufou, who resigns after serving two terms in…

After becoming a professional late, after going through the championships in France and England, Cheikh Ndoye returned to the French 3rd division to bounce back after a serious knee injury suffered in 2019. At 35, the midfield manager at Red Star, the club in the Paris region, makes an initial assessment of his career. Coupe de France, CAN, World Cup, the Senegalese international share their experiences…

We consider this to be a serious violation of a fundamental violation of the right to a defense first enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, as provided for in the applicable criminal procedure rules of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and enshrined in international federations and other conventions such as Mauritania. And I am thinking in particular of the international pact on civil and political law to which Mauritania is a party. This issue is essentially…

The Ivorian Charles Blé Goudé was Minister of Youth during the crisis following the 2010-2011 elections in Côte d'Ivoire. This Wednesday, March 31, the International Criminal Court confirmed its acquittal at the same time as former President Laurent Gbagbo. The two men are definitely innocent of the crimes against humanity for which they were charged. The ICC's Board of Appeal also repeals all remaining conditions when they are released. Charles Blé Goudé answers Stéphanie Maupas, RFI correspondent in The Hague, the…

Burkina Faso has been the site of many attacks, kidnappings and executions for six years. Despite the impressive logistical, military and economic resources, the central government is losing ground to jihadist groups and armed bandits. One third of the territory would no longer be under control. What solutions? Should we start a dialogue with the jihadists and, if so, who and within what framework?…

French Defense Minister Florence Parly ended a two-day visit to Mali on Thursday. She met with the Malian authorities, especially the president of the transition, Ba N'Daw. A UN report says 19 civilians were killed in French strikes in early January in the Malian village of Bounti. But for Paris, it is really terrorists who have been targeted.…