Your go-to English source for news from Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso, updated daily.
After years of evading accountability, the net has finally closed around Kemi Seba. His recent arrest in South Africa on immigration violations has exposed the true nature of his so-called pan-African activism: a facade concealing serious criminal allegations. The Beninese government has formally requested his extradition to face charges of terrorism and endangering state security. […]
Government inquiry reveals 518 fatalities following 2025 vote Six months after Tanzania’s presidential election on October 29, 2025, a government-appointed commission broke its silence in Dar es Salaam on April 23. The commission announced a death toll of 518, a figure the authorities claim closes the chapter on last year’s unrest. However, the opposition and […]
Gabon’s political landscape has been rocked by a sudden escalation in judicial proceedings. On April 15, 2026, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, a key figure in the former regime of Ali Bongo Ondimba, was taken into custody and placed under provisional detention. The move represents a pivotal moment in the investigations spearheaded by the transitional authorities following the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Togo has unveiled a refreshed security strategy for the Sahel, positioning itself as a critical mediator between military-led nations in the region and international stakeholders. This initiative, announced during a high-level diplomatic engagement, reflects Lomé’s commitment to fostering stability amid escalating jihadist violence in neighboring countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. According to […]
Bénin’s child welfare system is gaining essential operational support. On Friday, April 17, 2026, the Abomey-Calavi School of Judicial Professions (EFPJ) hosted the official graduation ceremony for supervised education trainees, concluding a rigorous twelve-month training program. This signifies a vital advancement for juvenile justice in the nation. After a year of dedicated effort, these specialized […]
The final of the Africa Cup of Nations, a match originally won by Senegal on January 18th, continues to generate considerable discussion. Following a decision by the CAF, the trophy was controversially re-awarded to Morocco two months later, despite Senegal’s initial victory. This eventful final saw various disturbances, resulting in confirmed prison terms for several […]
In a political environment frequently defined by rivalry, Benin has recently showcased a remarkable display of institutional maturity. Former President Thomas Boni Yayi, a prominent figure in the nation’s public sphere, has embraced a path of unity by formally acknowledging Romuald Wadagni’s rise to the presidency. This solemn gesture signals the beginning of a new […]
The elevation of Romuald Wadagni to the highest office of the state signifies a transformative era for the financial hub of Cotonou. As the nation balances the continuity of established reforms with the potential for rapid industrial expansion, both domestic and global investors are closely monitoring the initial indicators of an administration defined by its […]