West Africa

Benin Thwarts Coup Attempt Amid Regional Instability Benin's government has announced the successful prevention of a coup attempt led by a faction within the military. This incident marks the latest in a series of challenges to democratic governance in West Africa. Armed forces intercepted the coup, maintaining control over national affairs. Regional stability remains threatened due to similar occurrences in neighboring nations. Official statements assured citizens to maintain daily routines. Military…

Benin Military Ousts President Talon in Sudden Coup In a shocking turn of events, the government of Benin was upended early Sunday morning as military personnel took to public television to declare the removal of President Patrice Talon. The self-proclaimed Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) announced that Talon would be replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, who will now lead the committee. The military's dramatic announcement has sent ripples through West Africa, raising concerns about stability in a region…

Global Health Funding Cuts Threaten Child Survival Rates, Gates Foundation Warns The Gates Foundation has issued a stark warning that millions of children worldwide could face death due to reductions in global health funding, jeopardizing decades of progress in child survival. In its latest report, We Can't Stop at Almost, the foundation revealed a troubling forecast for child mortality rates, marking a significant step back in health advancements this century. According to the report, an alarming 4.6 million children…

Nigeria Provides Emergency Protection for Guinea-Bissau Presidential Candidate Following Military Coup The Nigerian government has taken decisive action to ensure the safety of Guinea-Bissau presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa amid looming threats to his life. This security measure comes in the wake of a military coup that occurred just hours before the highly anticipated announcement of the 23 November 2025 election results. Dias, the principal opposition candidate challenging incumbent President Umaro Embaló,…

Nigeria's Senate Moves to Tackle Escalating Kidnapping Crisis The Nigerian Senate is taking a bold step toward combating the country's rampant kidnapping crisis. In a significant legislative push, Senators have advanced amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act that would extend the death penalty to all individuals involved in kidnapping. This includes not only the kidnappers themselves but also financiers, informants, and those providing logistical support. The proposed Bill seeks to reclassify…

US Government Unveils Visa Ban for Those Targeting Nigerian Christians The US government has introduced a new policy allowing it to impose visa bans on individuals allegedly responsible for attacks on Nigerian Christians. This significant decision reflects a growing urgency in addressing religious persecution globally. The US State Department's policy change enables the denial of visas to anyone who has directed, authorized, supported, participated in, or carried out abuses targeting individuals based on their faith. This…

Lawmakers Warn of Risks to Draft 2026 National Budget Targets Lawmakers are raising alarms about the ambitious US$1.2 billion target of the Draft 2026 National Budget, insisting that without key reforms, these goals remain at risk of being unmet. This budget, the largest proposed under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's administration, signifies a bold expansion in government spending. It emphasizes funding for social projects, civil service restructuring, infrastructure investment, and governance reforms. However, lawmakers…

Crisis Deepens in Guinea-Bissau: A Political Stunt or Genuine Coup? The recent turmoil in Guinea-Bissau has sparked intense debate among analysts and commentators, with some suggesting that the events unfold less like a traditional coup and more like a politically orchestrated stunt shrouded in military theatrics. Daniel T. Makokera, writing in an AllAfrica guest column, suggests that there is a "growing belief that the crisis may have been an inside job," framing it as "a carefully managed confrontation used to settle…

Opposition Leader Anicet Ekane Dies in Custody, Escalating Tensions in Cameroon Anicet Ekane, the prominent opposition leader and head of the Manidem party, has died at the age of 74 after being held for several weeks at a military garrison in Yaoundé. His family and legal representatives claim he was denied essential medical care during his detention, where he struggled to breathe while facing serious charges, including hostility against the state, incitement to revolt, and calls for insurrection. Ekane's arrest on…

Army Rescues 12 Girls Abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State In a significant operation, troops under Operation Hadin Kai have successfully rescued 12 girls abducted by Boko Haram and ISWAP militants in the Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State. The victims, aged between 15 and 20, were kidnapped on November 23 while working in their farmlands. One girl managed to escape and return home safely, leaving 12 others in captivity. Acting on actionable intelligence, the army conducted a targeted…