Junta-led Sahel states rule out return to West African economic bloc
Niamey, Niger Reuters Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, three military-led West African states, signed a confederation treaty on Saturday, underscoring their determination to chart a joint course outside the regional political and economic bloc that has been urging them to return to democratic rule. The signing took place at the first summit of the Alliance […]
At least 89 bodies found after migrant boat capsizes off Mauritanian coast
Nouakchott, Mauritania Reuters At least 89 bodies have been recovered off the coast of Mauritania after a migrant boat capsized this week, the West African country’s state news agency and the head of a fishing association said. The Atlantic migration route from the coast of West Africa to the Canary Islands, typically used by African […]
Burkina Faso extends junta rule by five years
Reuters Burkina Faso’s ruling junta will remain in power for another five years after participants in national talks on Saturday proposed extending the transition back to democracy by 60 months from July, according to the text of an approved new charter. People waving flags in Burkina Faso on 29th September, 2023. PICTURE: Reuters/ Yempabou Ouoba […]
Chad’s Mahamat Deby confirmed as winner of disputed election
N’Djamena, Mali Reuters Chad’s constitutional council confirmed Mahamat Idriss Deby as winner of the 6th May presidential election on Thursday after dismissing challenges by two losing candidates – cementing a victory that extended his family’s decades-long rule. Deby, who seized power the day rebels killed his father, President Idriss Deby, in 2021 and declared himself […]
Mali talks propose junta rule for three more years
Bamako, Mali Reuters Participants in Mali’s national dialogue on Friday recommended extending the military-led transition to democracy by three years and allowing junta leader Assimi Goita to stand in the eventual election. The West African country has been under military rule since a coup in 2020, and tensions have risen over the junta’s failure to […]
Chad declares interim President Deby winner of disputed vote
N’Djamena, Chad Reuters Chad’s state election body said on Thursday interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby had won the 6th May presidential election outright with over 61 per cent of the vote, citing provisional results, even as his main challenger declared himself the winner. Chad’s junta has become the first of the coup-hit countries in West […]
Chad votes in first Sahel presidential poll since wave of coups
N’Djamena, Chad Reuters Chadians go to the polls on Monday three years after their military leader seized power, in the first presidential election in Africa’s Sahel region since a wave of coups. Analysts say Mahamat Idriss Deby, who seized power the day rebels killed his long-ruling father Idriss Deby in April, 2021, is most likely […]
Essay: Russia has tightened its hold over the Sahel region – and now it’s looking to Africa’s west coast
In an article first published on The Conversation, OLUMBA E EZENWA and JOHN SUNDAY OJO look at the growing influence of Russia in Africa…
Togo votes for a new parliament with stronger say in governance
Lome, Togo Reuters Voting got under way in legislative elections in Togo on Monday following approval of constitutional reforms by the outgoing parliament that could extend the 19-year-old rule of President Faure Gnassingbe. Under a new charter adopted in March introducing a parliamentary system of government, the president will be elected by parliament instead of […]
Migrant stories: African disaster survivor haunted by weeks lost at sea
NGOUDA DIONE and ZOHRA BENSEMRA, of Reuters, report from Senegal on Birane Mbaye’s story…