Senegal: France's Le Pen Looks to Enhance International Credentials in Senegal

Far-right MP Marine Le Pen is in Senegal for three days - her first trip abroad since failing to clinch the French presidency in April last year. The visit is an opportunity to… Read more »

West Africa: Ivorian Soldiers Arrested in Mali Were Part of UN Mission - Report

In information revealed by RFI, 49 Ivorian soldiers who were arrested last year in Mali and accused of being mercenaries were part of the UN's Minusma mission and had been deployed… Read more »

Senegal: Another Road Accident Claims 20 in Senegal's Louga Region

Another deadly accident has been recorded in Senegal on January 16 in the Louga region, in the north of the country. Reports indicate 20 people were killed and 23 others injured.… Read more »

Cameroon: Bamendjou Community Celebrates 70 Years of Sovereign's Reign

The Bamendjou community in western Cameroon is celebrating the 70-year reign of its ruler King Fo'o Sokoudjou Jean-Philippe Rameau. Events include an symposium on the role… Read more »

Burkina Faso: Searches Under Way to Find 50 Women Kidnapped in Burkina Faso

In northern Burkina Faso, reports have begun to emerge of a kidnapping that took place late last week near the town of Arbinda, in a part of the Sahel under jihadist control.… Read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »