July 19

• Nigeria to Reduce Troops in Mali to Tackle Insecurity

  This Day

  Due to the high demand for troops to ensure internal security and stability in the country, Nigeria is set to withdraw some of its troops from the United Nations Multidimensional... Read more »

July 18

• Top Presidential Candidates Sign Climate Pledge

  AlertNet

  The two leading candidates to become Mali's next president have signed an agreement to prioritise addressing the social and environmental problems caused by climate change if they... Read more »

• Optimism Ahead of Mali's Election

  Deutsche Welle

  Mali wants to put the crisis behind it and move on. The election of a new president on 28 July is an important step in the process of restoring democracy. Read more »

• In Search of a New Pan-Africanism

  IPS

  Bridging the gap between Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance has been a top priority for the African Union (AU). Read more »

• W. African Leaders - Mali, Guinea-Bissau Polls to Proceed

  VOA

  West African leaders have said upcoming elections in Mali and Guinea-Bissau will go ahead as scheduled, despite reports the two countries' electoral commissions are not ready. At a... Read more »

• East to West - Africa Rising Between Devils and a Deep Blue Sea [analysis]

  Daily Maverick

  The narrative of the Chinese involvement in the African continent is of a marauding armada. And while Chinese soldiers are currently in Africa - in Mali on peacekeeping duty, where... Read more »

• Nigeria to Withdraw Soldiers From Mali, Jonathan Tells Ecowas

  Premium Times

  The Federal Government has indicated its intention to withdraw Nigerian troop from Mali. The chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Alassane Ouattara,... Read more »

• Nigeria Wants Some Troops Out of Mali

  This Day

  The Defence Headquarters have confirmed that Nigeria has requested that some of its troops be withdrawn from Malian operations because of the ongoing internal security challenges... Read more »

• Mali Election - Ecowas Needs U.S.$25 Million for Logistics

  Daily Trust

  The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appealed to the international community to intensify their assistance to bridge the financial gap of the $25 million... Read more »

July 17

• Candidate Pulls Out of Presidential Race

  AEP

  Tiébilé Dramé, one of the 28 candidates in the upcoming Malian presidential race slated for July 28 has withdrawn his candidature, siting lack of conducive... Read more »

• Nigeria Seeks U.S $25 Million for Mali Elections

  VOA

  West African leaders have called for $25 million in international aid to help secure the upcoming elections in Mali. As Guinea-Bissau also prepares for elections, leaders want an... Read more »

• Ecowas Promises Mali Election Help

  VOA

  The president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says the regional bloc is working with its international partners, other stakeholders, and Mali's government... Read more »

• U.S. State Department Daily Press Briefing: Mali, Egypt [document]

  State Department

  Excerpt from the U.S. State Department Daily Press Briefing Read more »

• President Sirleaf Attends 43rd ECOWAS Summit in Abuja - Situations in Mali and Guinea Bissau Top Agenda, Ahead of Elections

  Liberia Govt

  President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is in Abuja, Nigeria, to attend the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. Read more »

• Ecowas Summit Focuses On Mali, Guinea - Bissau [interview]

  Deutsche Welle

  Ahead of Mali's July 28 elections, regional body ECOWAS meets to discuss the situation there and in Guinea-Bissau where the absence of a functional government has allowed drug... Read more »

• Nigerian Soldiers in Mali Get Allowances, Better Food

  Premium Times

  The soldiers may not come back home soon. Read more »

July 16

• Rwandan Police to Deploy Peacekeepers in Mali

  New Times

  Rwanda National Police (RNP) has announced that it will deploy 140 officers in restive Mali later this month as part of continued international efforts aimed at restoring peace in... Read more »

• West Africa Regional Leaders to Meet

  VOA

  West African regional leaders plan to open an extraordinary two-day summit on Wednesday in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. Read more »

• French Hostage Confirmed Dead in Mali

  Magharebia

  President Francois Hollande confirmed Monday (July 15th) that a body found in northern Mali was that of a French hostage and vowed the killing would not go unpunished, AFP... Read more »

July 15

• IMF Queries Demotion of Finance Minister

  AlertNet

  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has questioned the demotion of Mali's finance minister just one month before the West African country holds presidential elections, a leaked... Read more »

• Body Found in Mali Thought to Be French Hostage

  RFI

  Francois Hollande said Monday there is a "very strong" chance that a body found in northern Mali is that of a French hostage and vowed the killing would not go unpunished. Read more »

• In France, UN Chief Praises Peacekeeping Contributions, Urges Political Progress in Mali

  UN News

  United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, meeting with officials in France on the occasion of Bastille Day, paid tribute to the country's contributions to ending the turmoil in... Read more »

• French Army Marks Bastille Day in Mali

  VOA

  France's national day celebration, Bastille Day, was observed in Mali with a parade by French forces Sunday, mirroring the main ceremony in Paris. Stability in the war-torn West... Read more »

• Body of Kidnapped Geologist Recovered in Mali

  VOA

  France has confirmed that a body found earlier this month in Mali is that of French geologist Philippe Verdon, who was kidnapped by al-Qaida-linked militants in late 2011. Read more »

• Mali Body 'Probably' French Hostage Verdon

  Tunis Afrique Presse

  The body found in northern Mali appears to be that of a French national captured by Islamist militants in 2011, France's foreign ministry says. Read more »