January 10, 2023
Mali: Ouattara Hopes for Normal Relations With Mali After Release of 'Mercenaries'
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has said he hopes Côte d'Ivoire and Mali can move on from the diplomatic crisis sparked by the arrest last year in Bamako of a contingent… Read more »
December 30, 2022
West Africa: Kora Virtuoso SONA Jobarteh Bucks West Africa Gender Trend
The kora - a stringed instrument that combines the features of a lute and a harp - is traditionally reserved for men in West Africa, but that hasn't stopped British-Gambian artist… Read more »
December 25, 2022
Africa: African Biennale of Photography in Mali Defends Culture Despite Difficulties
Despite a security crisis in the West Africa and Sahel regions, Covid-19, and diplomatic tensions with France, organisers of the African Biennale of Photography have managed to put… Read more »
December 27, 2022
Cameroon: Cameroon Stocking Up On Plastic Bag Whisky Before Final End of Year Ban
Eight years after first initiating a ban on locally-made whisky sold in plastic bags, the government is finally enforcing a sweeping ban across the country, effective as of 31… Read more »
December 26, 2022
Guinea: Welcome to Kalabanté, an African Circus in Montreal
When dance, acrobatics and percussion meet, the result is Kalabanté - a circus company created in 2007 by Guinean artist Yamoussa Bangoura. RFI met him at the Nuits… Read more »
December 23, 2022
Gambia: France 'Strongly' Condemns Attempted Coup d'Etat in the Gambia
France's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the coup attempt that took place earlier this week in the West African country of The Gambia against President Adama Barrow, according… Read more »
Mali: Mali Agrees to Release 46 Ivorian Soldiers After Five Months in Detention
In the presence of the Togolese mediator and Cote d'Ivoire delegation, the Malian government agreed on Thursday in Bamako to release the 46 Ivoirian soldiers who have been detained… Read more »
December 20, 2022
Ghana: Ghana to Default On Most International Debt
Ghana has suspended payments on most of its foreign debts, effectively defaulting as the country starts restructuring, as part of a bailout deal with the International Monetary… Read more »
December 18, 2022
Cote d'Ivoire: France to Return Restored Ivorian Drum Stolen By Colonial Settlers
Restoration works on the Djidji Ayôkwé, or "talking drum", have now been completed in Paris. The artefact, stored at the Quai Branly museum, is ready to be returned to… Read more »
December 13, 2022
Senegal: Amnesty Urges Senegal to Take Strong Action Over Abuse in Koranic Schools
An Amnesty International report published on Monday found that many children in Senegal's Koranic schools continue to face multiple abuses as well as financial exploitation through… Read more »
December 10, 2022
West Africa: German Hostage Held in Sahel Since 2018 Raises Hope for Frenchman
A German humanitarian worker held hostage in the Sahel for more than four-and-a-half years has been freed, his organisation said on Saturday. But four other hostages from Western… Read more »
December 08, 2022
Nigeria: Nigerian Army Denies Carrying Out Mass Illegal Abortions On Boko Haram Victims
Nigeria's army has denied an explosive report that claims it conducted a years-long programme of carrying out abortions on women and girls who were impregnated by Boko Haram… Read more »
December 04, 2022
Burkina Faso: RFI Denounces 'Unfounded' Suspension of Broadcasts By Junta
Radio France Internationale has denounced the suspension of its broadcasts in Burkina Faso's military government, describing accusations that it had contributed to "a desperate… Read more »
December 02, 2022
Burkina Faso: Transitional Leader Confirms Coup Attempt but Favours Dialogue
Burkina Faso's interim president Captain Ibrahim Traoré has told civil society groups there was indeed a recent coup attempt against his government. Read more »
November 27, 2022
Nigeria: Paris Exhibition Celebrates Fela Kuti, the Rebel King of Afrobeat
The Paris Philharmonie is paying homage to Fela Kuti, pioneer of Afrobeat - a musical current that emerged from Nigeria in a swirl of postcolonial enthusiasm, experimentation and… Read more »
November 24, 2022
Mali: French NGOs Concerned for Civilians in Wake of Suspension
French-backed NGOs in Mali fear their future is in limbo after military-run authorities ordered the suspension of their activities earlier this week. The announcement marks a… Read more »
November 22, 2022
Mali: Mali Bans French NGOs As Diplomatic Row Deepens
Mali's junta announced on Monday a ban on the activities of NGOs funded or supported by France, including humanitarian groups, amid a worsening row between Paris and Bamako. Read more »
November 19, 2022
West Africa: French-Speaking Countries Begin Tunisia Summit Focused On Economy
The world's French-speaking countries gathered in Tunisia on Saturday for talks focused on economic cooperation, more than a year after President Kais Saied began an… Read more »
Mali: France Halts Development Aid to Mali
France will stop sending public development aid to Mali because of the West African country's alleged ties to Russian paramilitaries, according to the French foreign ministry. Read more »
November 18, 2022
West Africa: West African States to Increase Cooperation As Jihadists Move Beyond Sahel
West African coastal states are holding talks on boosting military cooperation against jihadist violence spilling over from the Sahel. This follows recent announcements that… Read more »
November 15, 2022
West Africa: Côte d'Ivoire to Pull Peacekeepers Out of Mali By August 2023
The authorities in Côte d'Ivoire have announced a gradual withdrawal of Ivorian troops from the United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali. The last Ivorian soldiers will… Read more »
November 12, 2022
West Africa: Did France's Operation Barkhane Win the Fight Against Terror in the Sahel?
This week, President Emmanuel Macron announced the official end of France's anti-jihadist mission in West Africa - Operation Barkhane. The move was accelerated by a collapse of… Read more »
São Tomé and Príncipe: Butterfly Farming Boosts Biodiversity and Incomes On São Tomé
Conservationists on São Tomé, a tropical island that is home to a rich diversity of plants, birds and butterflies, have launched a project to help local farmers breed… Read more »
November 04, 2022
Guinea: Junta Orders Corruption Case Against Ousted Leader Alpha Condé
Guinea's justice minister has ordered legal proceedings against former President Alpha Condé and more than 180 officials from his deposed regime for alleged corruption and… Read more »
November 03, 2022
Liberia: Activists Welcome Life Sentence for Liberian Rebel
A Paris court has sentenced a former Liberian rebel commander to life in jail for violence against civilians and complicity in crimes against humanity after France's first trial… Read more »