Your go-to English source for news from Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso, updated daily.
The foreign ministers of Niger and Mali have recently delivered statements that raise eyebrows. On one hand, they fiercely accuse neighboring West African nations within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of supporting terrorism. On the other, they express readiness to ‘cooperate’ with these same countries on specific issues. This inconsistent stance, swinging […]
The Oumar Mariko mediation: a humanitarian breakthrough or a sovereignty crisis? In a single photograph that went viral across Malian social media, opposition figure Oumar Mariko—currently living in exile—appears alongside 17 recently freed hostages, liberated by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group operating in the Sahel. While […]
In Senegal, the Pastef party has launched a sweeping internal reorganization led by its president, Ousmane Sonko. This bold initiative is designed to fortify the party’s institutional framework and align it with the evolving demands of modern political governance. The restructuring effort spans multiple levels of the organization, from top-tier leadership structures to grassroots operational […]
Mali and Niger have reignited long-standing claims that Algeria is actively fueling terrorism across the Sahel by providing safe havens, logistical backing, and political shelter to armed factions operating south of its borders. During a high-level security forum in Senegal, officials from Bamako and Niamey stopped short of directly pointing fingers at Algiers. Yet their […]
The Burkina Faso of Captain Ibrahim Traoré faces a stark paradox: while its leader champions self-sufficiency through fiery speeches, the nation survives on imported rice from Pakistan, China and Canada to stave off a worsening food crisis. This dependence on foreign aid starkly contradicts the junta’s promises of restored sovereignty, made over three years ago […]
There’s a stark contrast between investigative reporting and political crusading. Between documenting facts and championing a cause. The career of Thomas Dietrich exemplifies this delicate divide, raising critical questions about journalistic integrity. From Observer to Accuser: A Shift in Role Dietrich, often labeled a journalist specializing in franco-african affairs, has evolved from a neutral observer […]
Kémi Séba, the controversial figurehead of panafricanist activism, finds himself increasingly isolated following his arrest in South Africa and looming extradition to Benin. Once a vocal critic of alleged French interference on the continent, Séba now faces a stark lack of support from his former allies, including Nathalie Yamb and Franklin Nyamsi, whose silence speaks […]
In recent months, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has intensified efforts to showcase Burkina Faso’s industrial development through high-profile inaugurations and site visits. From tomato processing plants to gold refineries, the transitional government has deployed a carefully orchestrated communications strategy to project an image of economic resurgence. Yet beneath the polished media coverage, the harsh realities of […]
Currently held in Pretoria following an alleged immigration violation, the prominent pan-Africanist figure, Kémi Séba, asserts he is a target of political persecution. However, beneath his rhetoric of national sovereignty, an investigation has uncovered clandestine partnerships that are both unexpected and concerning, extending from Russian influence networks to elements within white supremacist movements. The arrest […]
The Republic of Chad has announced plans to deploy 1,500 soldiers to Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed security mission aimed at curbing escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. According to a letter addressed to the country’s Parliament, this initiative marks Chad’s commitment to international peacekeeping efforts. In a statement delivered to lawmakers […]
In Bamako, Mali, the demolition of the Faladiè livestock market has left more than 300 displaced families homeless. The market, which had also served as a shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs), was razed to the ground in an operation that has sparked urgent humanitarian concerns. Background of the demolition The decision to demolish the […]
What is the AES passport? The AES passport represents a newly introduced biométric travel document by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). It is designed to gradually replace the Community of West African States (CEDEAO) passport, which has been in use across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This transition is part of a broader strategy […]