Your go-to English source for news from Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso, updated daily.
US shifts Sahel strategy to focus on trade and security This week’s visit to Mali by Nick Checker, head of the US State Department’s African Affairs Bureau, signals Washington’s renewed engagement in the Sahel. However, the visit underscores a strategic realignment rather than a traditional return. The new approach centers on three key pillars: a […]
Following his victory in the 2024 presidential election—a contest marred by claims of irregularities from the opposition—President Mahamat Idriss Déby further solidified his authority throughout 2025. Significant constitutional revisions enacted in 2025 abolished term limits and extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years. These changes effectively allow Mahamat Idriss Déby to remain in […]
Since the military takeover in July 2023, the state of human rights in Niger has experienced a persistent decline. Throughout 2025, the ruling military authorities continued to target political rivals, activists, union leaders, and members of the media. The junta has maintained the unlawful imprisonment of former President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife, along with […]
During the night of January 28-29, the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey became a battlefield. This rare direct assault on the Nigerien capital was later claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) through its AMAQ propaganda outlet. The event underscores a significant shift in the region’s security landscape, often discussed in Faso […]
why the us is prioritizing security ties with Sahel juntas over democracy AFP via Getty Images The United States is recalibrating its approach toward three West African nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—that have recently pivoted away from traditional allies toward Russia. This strategic shift underscores Washington’s growing focus on counterterrorism and resource security in the […]