Your go-to English source for news from Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso, updated daily.
The Sahelian belt, a vast geographical expanse stretching from Mali to Chad, presents a complex geopolitical and economic landscape, far from a booming investment hub. Nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger grapple with significant developmental hurdles. Mali, for instance, faces a youthful population (47% under 15 out of 25.9 million), limited arable land (only […]
The Nigerien Minister of Public Health and Hygiene, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi, conducted an official inspection at the Niger-Türkiye Friendship Hospital. The unannounced visit aimed to assess working conditions, evaluate staff challenges, and identify immediate solutions to enhance healthcare delivery in the facility. Comprehensive facilities assessment The minister’s inspection covered critical departments including emergency services, mammography […]
The United States Department of State has finalized a five-year bilateral memorandum of understanding with Burkina Faso, committing a total of $147 million in financial support. This landmark agreement aims to bolster the West African nation’s efforts in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases while strengthening national capacities for epidemiological surveillance and emergency health […]
who’s 2024–2025 biennial report: Burkina Faso’s health resilience and access to care advancements The World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2024–2025 biennial report for Burkina Faso highlights substantial achievements amidst a landscape of security, humanitarian, and climatic challenges. This comprehensive document details significant strides made in strengthening health systems and improving population well-being. Key accomplishments include the […]
Burkina Faso implements major price reductions on pharmaceuticals and medical supplies In a significant move to enhance public health, the government of Burkina Faso has announced a substantial decrease in the prices of essential generic medicines and various medical consumables. This new pricing structure is scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2026, and is […]
Civilian toll rises after suspected military drone strike in Niger A suspected Nigerien military drone strike on a bustling market in the village of Kokoloko, located in the Tillabéri region, has resulted in the deaths of at least 17 civilians—including four children—and left 13 others injured. The attack, which also claimed the lives of three […]
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, Mali’s Ministry of Health and Social Development officially took possession of 39 robust 4×4 all-terrain vehicles. This crucial acquisition aims to bolster the nation’s health infrastructure and expand access to vital health services, particularly vaccination efforts, across the country’s most vulnerable and hard-to-reach regions. The handover ceremony occurred at the […]
An unprecedented assault recently struck the heart of Niamey, raising serious questions about the national defense landscape. During the night of January 28 to 29, dozens of militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) launched a bold raid on the capital’s international airport and the adjacent Base 101. The attackers were seen […]
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has strongly urged the government of Burkina Faso to reverse its recent decision to dissolve political parties and ease restrictions on civil society space. In a press statement, Türk emphasized that suppressing political parties and detaining individuals for expressing dissent contradicts human rights principles. He […]
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 […]
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 […]