Delivered on the occasion of independence day, the address to the nation by the head of the Transition, army general Assimi Goïta, was designed to sound triumphant. It promised economic growth, a…
Month: September 2026
The Nanga question: what an unverified armoured vehicle programme means for Burkina Faso’s soldiers and public finances
Every armoured vehicle that rolls out of a workshop carries a price tag, and in Burkina Faso the bill for the Nanga programme is being settled before anyone outside the security apparatus…
The Sévaré raid and the daily burden it places on Mali’s civilians and businesses
The attack claimed on Sunday 20 September by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, on the air base at Sévaré and the military camp at…
Mali’s security crisis deepens: how jihadist attacks in Dioura and Sévaré threaten communities and businesses
What happened in Mali’s central regions The Malian military and its allied forces experienced severe setbacks this month after coordinated jihadist assaults struck Dioura and Sévaré—two strategic towns in the country’s restive…
Sèmè’s debut crude cargo: the everyday consequences for Benin’s households, businesses and public purse
In October 2026, a tanker is set to lift roughly 250,000 barrels of crude from Benin’s offshore Sèmè block — and the fallout will reach far beyond the export terminal. For families…
Mali and the Sahel: how jihadist attacks are squeezing civilians, trade and the AES economies
In Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the promise of a military reconquest is colliding with consequences that ordinary people can measure in their own lives: shuttered markets, unsafe roads, disrupted harvests and…
Olympe Bhêly-Quenum hits 100: the tangible impact of his pen on Beninese lives
As Olympe Bhêly-Quenum marks his centenary, the consequences of his long career are not confined to libraries or academic conferences. They are visible in classrooms where his novels are still taught, in…
Mali independence day: opposition leader calls for accountability amid crisis
As Mali marks its Independence Day on September 22, the nation reflects on decades of struggle and the challenges that persist. The transitional government, led by General Assimi Goïta, addressed the nation…
Mali faces dual challenge: escalation against jihadists amid renewed calls for national unity
In a tense Independence Day address, Mali’s transitional leader General Assimi Goïta outlined a dual strategy: a stepped-up military campaign against armed jihadist groups and an urgent appeal for national reconciliation. The…
Strasbourg’s strategy under fire: Chelsea’s Rosenior exit and the fallout shaking the club
Strasbourg’s abrupt decision to release Liam Rosenior for Chelsea’s mid-season surge has sent shockwaves through the club, its supporters, and the broader Ligue 1 landscape. The move, executed under the umbrella of…
Cameroon’s escalating security crisis: what Atonfack Guemo’s warning means for businesses and citizens
Cameroon’s escalating security crisis: what Atonfack Guemo’s warning means for businesses and citizens The director of communications at Cameroon’s Ministry of Defense has issued a stark warning about the growing security threats…
Mali’s 514 billion FCFA Russian mercenary bill: the tab that households, businesses and public services are picking up
Mali’s reliance on Russian paramilitary muscle has long since stopped being an abstract line in a defence ledger. It now shows up in darkened neighbourhoods, in traders whose goods never reach the…