West Africa

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.

The Sahel region in Africa is seeing a surge in terrorist-related deaths, now accounting for nearly half of global casualties stemming from terrorism. This alarming statistic was highlighted at a recent summit in Nigeria, dedicated to combating terrorism throughout the continent. With the escalating threat of extremist attacks by Islamist groups, including recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger leading to the departure of international troops, notably French forces. Stig Jarle Hansen, an expert in international…

The Sahel in Africa now sees nearly half of global terrorism deaths, according to a summit in Nigeria combatting terrorism continent-wide. The rise in Islamist extremist threats forced international troops, including French forces, to depart Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after coups. Professor Stig Jarle Hansen discusses the consequences of French troop withdrawal, noting increased Russian involvement in the region's "Cold War" dynamic.

The United States agreed Friday to withdraw its more than 1,000 troops from Niger, officials said, upending its position in West Africa, where the country is home to a major drone base.

Togo's legislators approved a constitutional change to a parliamentary system, despite opposition concerns about President Gnassingbe's continued hold on power. The reform has sparked criticism from dissenting parties.

On Thursday, three French diplomats were ordered to leave Burkina Faso within 48 hours. The ruling junta deemed them persona non grata due to alleged "subversive activities," a claim Paris refutes. Tensions between the nations have escalated since Burkina Faso's second coup in 2022. France denies allegations of wrongdoing.

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye visited Mauritania, his first trip abroad since March election. The two presidencies confirmed.

Burkina Faso recently ejected three French diplomats for engaging in "subversive activities," as stated in a foreign ministry document obtained by FRANCE 24.

In Senegal's latest news, a historic haul of cocaine has been revealed - the largest ever seized on land. A truck near the Mali border was found carrying over a ton of the illegal substance.

On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram captured 276 girls from a school in Chibok. Unfortunately, 80 girls remain missing. The Nigerian government has struggled to prevent further abductions by Boko Haram and criminal groups. Many more children have been taken since the initial kidnapping.