West Africa

Five Years of Silence: The Unfolding Legacy of Cameroon’s Protest Crackdown As Cameroon approaches the presidential elections scheduled for October 12, the shadows of repression linger longer than ever. This month marks five years since the violent crackdown on protests led by the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) in September 2020—an event that has left a lasting scar on the nation’s collective conscience. A Dark Chapter in Cameroon’s History The protests, which erupted in response to long-standing grievances regarding…

Reflections on Guinea's Constitutional Reform: A Prelude to Power? As the sun rose over Guinea on a recent morning, streets that typically buzz with vibrant life grappled with a quiet tension. The nation prepared to vote on a constitutional referendum that, if passed, could dramatically reshape its political landscape. The stakes, however, seem weighted against the spirit of democracy. A Shift in Governance Proposed changes to Guinea’s constitution would extend presidential terms from five to seven years and open the door…

France-Mali Relations in Crisis: A Diplomatic Breakdown In a move that echoes the increasingly fraught ties between France and Mali, Paris has announced the suspension of counterterrorism cooperation with the West African nation. This decision follows the August arrest of a French diplomat in Mali's capital, Bamako, and marks a significant escalation in a diplomatic rift that has been deepening since military coups shook the country in 2020 and 2021. The Unraveling of Cooperation The French government has ordered its…

Deportees' Legal Battle Shines a Light on Ghana's Immigration Policies In a poignant and complex clash of rights and national policy, eleven Ghanaians recently returned from the United States are taking unprecedented legal action against their own government. These individuals, who were deported under the controversial immigration stance of the Trump administration, claim their detention upon arrival violated their rights. The case encapsulates the delicate interplay between international agreements and domestic law,…

South Africa hold Nigeria to 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein as qualification drama deepens Bloemfontein — Nigeria's Super Eagles left South Africa on a knife edge after a 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Saturday, a match that keeps both teams' World Cup qualification hopes very much alive but leaves the path forward markedly different for the two nations. The result means South Africa sit six points clear at the top of their group and can all but seal progression if they pick up a single point from the two…

Students Stand Up for Quality Education in Tamale Amid Protests In a scene that unfolded under the scorching sun of northern Ghana, students of Tamale Technical University took to the streets, their voices melding into a chorus of discontent. Their grievances were clear: an increase in tuition fees that they deemed excessive and a perceived lack of accountability from university authorities regarding infrastructure and welfare issues. The situation escalated quickly, as police were reported to have fired warning shots to…

Niger State’s Sermon Approval Policy: Balancing Law and Freedom In a striking move emblematic of the complex interplay between governance and religious expression, the governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, recently announced a controversial policy requiring local clerics to submit their sermons for government approval. This initiative, presented as a strategy to counter “anti-people and anti-government” messages, has stirred the passions of locals, illuminating the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in emerging…

Power Struggles: Nigeria's Energy Crisis Deepens Amid Grid Failures As dawn broke over Nigeria, the promise of a bright new day dissipated with the abrupt darkening of homes, businesses, and schools across the nation. This week, the fragile electricity grid experienced yet another unsettling partial collapse, affecting around 30 states and plunging millions into darkness. The incident, which unfolded between 11 am and 12 pm on an otherwise ordinary day, serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges that the…

The Shifting Sands of Malian Security: An Unfolding Crisis In the heart of West Africa lies Mali, a nation steeped in rich history, cultural diversity, and remarkable resilience. Yet, beneath its vibrant exterior, a tumultuous struggle for security has been escalating, leading to alarming consequences for its people. The country's complex political landscape, particularly after the military coups of 2020 and 2021, remains under scrutiny as external military alliances continue to prove ineffective. A Legacy of Discontent…

Nigeria's Healthcare Landscape: A Temporary Respite Amid Ongoing Struggles The announcement from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that they have suspended their two-day warning strike is a relief for many. The strike, which had brought a standstill to public tertiary hospitals, was a cry for help from a beleaguered healthcare system grappling with both systemic inefficiencies and personal sacrifices in the face of a demanding economic landscape. In hospitals across Nigeria, the impact of the strike was…