July 31, 2023
Niger: UN Envoy to Continue Efforts to Restore Constitutional Order in Niger
The Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa has underlined the UN's strong condemnation of the attempted coup in Niger, the global body said on Monday. Read more »
August 01, 2023
West Africa: Niger Crisis Could Worsen Insecurity Throughout West Africa, UN Envoy Warns
The security situation in wider West Africa could worsen unless the political crisis in Niger is resolved, the top UN official for the region said on Tuesday, underlining the need… Read more »
July 27, 2023
Niger: UN Chief Demands President's Immediate and Unconditional Release
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday demanded the release of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum "immediately and unconditionally", as military officers continue to hold the… Read more »
July 26, 2023
Niger: Guterres Condemns Apparent Coup Attempt in Niger
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an attempted power grab in the West African nation of Niger, following reports that the democratically… Read more »
July 25, 2023
West Africa: 'Real Challenges' Must Be Addressed Beyond Polling Day, Urges UN West Africa Envoy
While national elections in West Africa and the Sahel provide an important opportunity for voters to effect change, they also expose "real challenges" which must be addressed… Read more »
July 21, 2023
West Africa: 'Urgent Action Is Needed' to End Growing Humanitarian Crisis in Sahel - WFP
The ongoing conflict in Sudan is impacting food security and migration across West and Central Africa, depleting scarce resources, exacerbating inter-communal tensions and putting… Read more »
July 12, 2023
Nigeria: In Nigeria, UN Deputy Chief and Malala Champion Girls' Right to Education
More than 120 million girls are out of school and the world must do more to ensure they can get an education, Nobel laureate and UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai said in… Read more »
July 05, 2023
West Africa: WFP Funding Crisis Leaves Millions Stranded Without Aid in West Africa
Funding constraints mean that the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to limit emergency aid to only 6.2 million of the most vulnerable people in need across West Africa,… Read more »
June 30, 2023
Mali: UN Security Council Terminates Mali Peacekeeping Mission
The Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the complete withdrawal of UN peacekeeping forces in Mali, although it will take six months for the final "blue helmets" to… Read more »
June 28, 2023
Nigeria: North-Eastern Nigeria - Malnourished Children Fighting for Their Lives
Millions are facing hunger and children's lives are on the line in north-eastern Nigeria amid a protracted conflict and climate change. UN's humanitarian response in the region is… Read more »
June 23, 2023
West Africa: On #PeacebuildingDay, Ambassadors Discuss Response to Organised Crime in the Sahel
The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) convened for an ambassadorial-level meeting in New York on Friday to tackle the issue of organized crime in the Sahel. Poverty, institutional… Read more »
June 17, 2023
West Africa: Trafficking in the Sahel - Smugglers 'Will Take You Anywhere'
Call a friend with a connection, get a passport in 24 hours, and hand over some cash. That is what it takes to flee the fragile Sahel region of Africa, where smuggling networks… Read more »
June 16, 2023
Mali: UN Mission Backs Constitutional Referendum in Mali
The UN is providing "multifaceted support" to Mali ahead of this weekend's constitutional referendum, the head of its peacekeeping mission in the country, MINUSMA, said in a… Read more »
June 10, 2023
West Africa: Trafficking in the Sahel - Muzzling the Illicit Arms Trade
Shoppers in Mali's Gao, Timbuktu, and Ménaka regions can snap up AK-pattern assault rifles for $750 and cartridges for 70 cents apiece, from locally handcrafted pistols to… Read more »
June 09, 2023
Mali: UN Strongly Condemns Attack On Peacekeepers in Mali, Which Leaves One Dead
The UN has strongly condemned an attack on a peacekeeping patrol in Mali which left one 'blue helmet' from Burkina Faso dead and eight others with serious injuries. Read more »
June 06, 2023
Algeria: UN Security Council to Welcome Five New Non-Permanent Members
Five countries have been elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council following a vote in the General Assembly on Tuesday. Read more »
June 03, 2023
West Africa: Trafficking in the Sahel - Gas Lighting
Kourou/Koualou, a tiny village in a neutral zone straddling Benin and Burkina Faso, was the centre of a one-million-litre-a-year cross-border illicit fuel trade, a snapshot of a… Read more »
May 27, 2023
West Africa: Trafficking in the Sahel - Killer Cough Syrup and Fake Medicine
In the summer of 2022, 70 Gambian babies and young children died from kidney failure after ingesting cough syrup spooned out by their caregivers. The World Health Organization… Read more »
May 22, 2023
Ghana: Peacekeeper Named UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year
A Ghanaian peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) will receive the 2022 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, it… Read more »
May 20, 2023
West Africa: Trafficking in the Sahel - Guns, Gas, and Gold
Chili peppers, fake medicine, fuel, gold, guns, humans, and more are being trafficked via millennia-old trade routes crisscrossing the Sahel, and the UN and partners are trying out… Read more »
May 16, 2023
West Africa: Security Situation in Sahel Remains Very Worrying, Security Council Warned
The security situation in the Sahel remains very worrying and the spiralling crisis in Sudan is an additional source of concern, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on… Read more »
May 12, 2023
Mali: Over 500 Killed By Malian Troops, Foreign Military Personnel in 2022 Operation
There are "strong indications" that more than 500 people were killed - the vast majority summarily executed - by Malian troops and foreign military personnel during a five-day… Read more »
May 08, 2023
Mali: Ban Slavery By Law, Say Top Rights Experts
The existence of slavery by descent in Mali continues to generate horrific human rights violations including torture, kidnapping and rape, UN-appointed independent human rights… Read more »
April 25, 2023
Burkina Faso: UN Rights Office Calls for Probe Into Latest Deadly Attack On Civilians
Authorities in Burkina Faso must conduct a full and independent investigation into the recent killing of scores of civilians in a village near the border with Mali, the UN human… Read more »
April 18, 2023
Africa: Food Insecurity, Malnutrition in West Africa and Sahel Set to Reach 10-Year High - UN Agencies
Food insecurity and malnutrition in West and Central Africa are on track to reach a 10-year high by June as the crisis expands to coastal countries, UN agencies warned on Tuesday,… Read more »