Your go-to English source for news from Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso, updated daily.
The sahelo-saharan strip has officially become the epicentre of global jihadism. From western Mali to the edges of the Lake Chad basin, millions of Sahelian civilians now live under the yoke of groups affiliated with Al-Qaida or the Islamic State. Banned from farming, subjected to ultra-violent social rules, and living in constant fear of the […]
Russian cultural centres, known as Russian Houses, have become a central component of Moscow’s influence campaign across Africa, with a presence stretching from Bamako in Mali to Bangui in the Central African Republic, and including Niamey in Niger. While officially focused on cultural and educational exchange, these institutions operate in over twenty African nations and […]
Niger has officially initiated its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move that aligns with the broader shift in policy undertaken by the military authorities since they assumed power in July 2023. By taking this step, Niamey asserts its commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and challenges the operations of an institution that has […]
Three years following the strategic military realignment with Russia in the aftermath of the July 2023 coup, Niger continues to grapple with an escalating jihadist insurgency. Despite the transitional authorities’ stated objective of restoring security through this shift, coordinated assaults on military outposts have intensified, inflicting severe losses on the nation’s defense and security forces. […]
Following a resolution from the European Parliament addressing human rights and public liberties in Burkina Faso, the military-led administration that emerged from the September 2022 coup has reportedly opted to summon the European Union’s representative in Ouagadougou to voice its discontent. Observers argue that a more constructive response would have been to embrace transparency. If […]
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers Gabon a gateway to a vast market of 1.4 billion consumers. Yet, despite this unprecedented opportunity, the country exports only 8.9% of its goods to neighboring African nations. This figure, drawn from the latest economic outlook reports, reveals a stark reality: Libreville still has a long journey […]
The ascension of Captain Ibrahim Traoré as Burkina Faso’s leader has positioned him as a prominent figure in Africa’s sovereignist movement. Through aggressive public relations campaigns and an extensive online presence, government officials are vigorously promoting the notion of a robust economic recovery underway in the country. This narrative is amplified by a network of […]
In Togo, the case of Marguerite Gnakadé has emerged as a poignant illustration of the political tensions gripping the nation. A former Minister of Defense from 2020 to 2022—making her the first woman to hold this position—she has been detained for 277 days following her vocal criticism of President Faure Gnassingbé’s administration and her call […]
The era of theatrical manipulation and political rally slogans has definitively ended. The moment of national reckoning is upon us. From my vantage point as the National Delegate for Political Life at Guem Sa Bopp, I cannot passively observe the economic, social, and reputational self-destruction to which Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is subjecting our Republic. […]
From Soweto to Lomé: infanticide as a political shield The African continent observed the Day of the African Child on June 16. This year’s theme centered on universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene—a day that typically features high-level summits and pledges for a better future. In Togo, representatives of the ruling administration will likely […]
In Baku, Minister Aboubakar Nacanabo recently signed a new financing agreement with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). This financial injection—covering fuel, cereals, fertilizers, and support for small and medium enterprises—is set to provide a significant boost to the Burkinabè economy. While it offers a welcome breath of fresh air for the national market, […]
Under the banner of breaking colonial ties and diversifying partnerships, the transitional regime’s strategic and financial decisions in Burkina Faso prompt a critical question: is the nation genuinely achieving independence or merely switching patrons? Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré assumed leadership, the rallying cry in Ouagadougou has been unambiguous: the restoration of national sovereignty. This compelling […]