Niger: U.S. Mulls Military Options As France Prepares Troop Withdrawal From Niger

The United States has said it will "evaluate" its next steps on the crisis in Niger after France announced a full troop withdrawal by the end of 2023, as demanded by the as… Read more »

Niger: Niger Junta Bans French Planes From Its Airspace

Niger, which reopened airspace at the start of September, says it welcomes all commercial flights except for French planes or flights chartered by French companies. Read more »

Cameroon: Cameroon Grants Indigenous Baka More Access to Protected Forests

The government of Cameroon and the indigenous Baka people in the country's southeast have agreed to an updated memorandum of understanding that provides them with more access to… Read more »

Mali: Armed Group Calls for the 'Fall of the Junta'

One of the armed groups from northern Mali has called for a full-scale war against the junta. This despite attempts at dialogue and fears for the peace deal between the ex-rebels… Read more »

Nigeria: Nigerian Literary Giant Wole Soyinka Releases New Novel in France

Nigerian author Wole Soyinka's third novel, "Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth", has been released in French. The Nobel laureate tells RFI about his… Read more »

West Africa: As Coup Follows Coup in West Africa, Could Cameroon Be Next?

A recent survey of 36 African countries revealed that though citizens support democracy, a slim majority is willing to endorse a military coup if elected leaders abuse their power.… Read more »

West Africa: French Minister Denies Boycotting African Artists After Visa Suspension

France's Culture Minister on Friday said the suspension of visas for artists from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso was due to security concerns in light of the recent military coups in… Read more »

West Africa: Niger Ends Military Deal With Benin Over Fears of Ecowas Intervention

Niger's junta has scrapped a military pact with Benin, accusing its neighbour of authorising the deployment of troops on its territory for a possible military intervention by the… Read more »

Mali: Mali Faces an Increase of Tuareg Armed Groups Attacks in the North

Armed groups from northern Mali on Tuesday claimed they captured the key town of Bourem, located between Gao and Timbuktu, before pulling out of the town, fuelling fears of the… Read more »

West Africa: Niger's Junta Finds Support in Mali and Russia, but France Stands Firm

The leaders of Russia and Mali have agreed the political crisis in Niger should be resolved using diplmoacy and not force. Meanwhile France has rejected accusations by Niger's coup… Read more »

Niger: Uncertainty for French Soldiers in Niger, Confined to Barracks After Coup

When a junta seized power in Niger on 26 July, joint military operations against jihadists between Niger and France were suspended. French troops, ordered to stay in their… Read more »

Niger: Towards a Partial Withdrawal of French Forces

French and Nigerien military officers are discussing a partial withdrawal of certain French military elements deployed in Niger. However, the bulk of French forces in the Sahel… Read more »

Nigeria: Tribunal Rejects Opposition Challenges to President Tinbu's Election Win

A Nigerian tribunal has dismissed major opposition challenges to overturn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's February election victory after a highly contested ballot. Read more »

West Africa: Ecowas Condems Attack That Leaves Over 50 Burkinabé Military, Volunteers Dead

At least fifty-three members of Burkina Faso's security forces have been killed in an attack by suspected jihadists in the north of the country, that has been condemned by the West… Read more »

West Africa: Niger PM Looks to Mend Bridges With Ecowas, Promises 'Swift Withdrawal' of French Troops

Niger's military-appointed prime minister has said he sees hopes of a deal with the Economic Communuity of West African States (Ecowas) - that threatened to use force to restore… Read more »

Senegal: Opposition Leader Ends Hunger Strike but Remains Ineligible to Stand for Election

Jailed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, an aspiring presidential candidate and head of state Macky Sall's fiercest critic, ended a hunger strike Monday. Read more »

Cameroon: Religious Leaders Call for Schools to Reopen in Anglophone Regions

Schools across Cameroon are due to reopen on 4 September, but in English-speaking regions separatist militias have warned them to remain closed as they enforce a boycott.… Read more »

Senegal: Filmmaker Pays Homage to Roots in Tragic Tale of Love

With her first feature film "Banel & Adama", Franco-Senegalese director Ramata-Toulaye Sy has chosen to shine a light on Fulani culture. She brings a feminist voice to the… Read more »

Ghana: Gay Rights Activists Fear for Their Safety As Govt Readies Harsh Anti-LGBTQ Bill

The LGBTQ+ community in Ghana has expressed deep concerns over the potential dangers they may face if legislation enforcing so-called "proper human sexual rights" is enacted. Read more »

West Africa: Should Niger's Coup Heighten Fears Over Terrorism in the Sahel?

Niger has been hit by multiple jihadist attacks since its president was overthrown last month, but observers caution against concluding that a long-running insurgency is shifting… Read more »

West Africa: Fear and Frustration On Nigeria's Border With Niger, Closed Over Coup

Trade between Niger and its neighbours in West Africa has been frozen since regional bloc Ecowas imposed sanctions on the landlocked country when military officers overthrew the… Read more »

Cameroon: Struggling English-Language Papers Call On President for Bailout

Publishers of English-language newspapers in Cameroon are calling on President Paul Biya to establish a special fund to help them recover from the devastating effects of the… Read more »

Benin: Teenage Performers Use Girl Power to Take on the World

On the back of Glastonbury, a team of young performers from northern Benin, in West Africa, took their message of female empowerment to another prestigious festival in England -… Read more »

Senegal: Hunger-Striking Opposition Leader Sonko Struck Off Electoral Roll

Detained Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been removed from the country's electoral roll in a move denounced by his political party as "inhumane persecution". Sonko,… Read more »

West Africa: West African Bloc Meets On Niger As AU Rebuffs Military Move

Defence leaders from West Africa's Ecowas bloc are meeting in Ghana on Thursday to discuss a potential military intervention in Niger, whose president was ousted in a coup. The… Read more »