Political landscape: on the cusp of a historic presidential election With less than a week remaining until a pivotal presidential election, Benin is experiencing a palpable surge of energy. Far from any…
Category: Analysis
Ibrahim traoré’s Sahelian balancing act: federal goals and national interests
The ambitious federal vision for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), championed by Ibrahim Traoré, increasingly confronts the practicalities of governance where the immediate survival of individual regimes often takes precedence over…
Benin: debunking the 45% child malnutrition death claim by Martin Rodriguez
Misrepresenting statistical data can dramatically alter its meaning and public understanding. On March 31, 2026, during an audio recording titled “Ten Years Without an Assessment, Part 4,” disseminated by the online platform…
Togo’s diplomacy under Faure Gnassingbé amid Russia, ECOWAS and AES tensions
Togo’s diplomatic maneuvers often speak volumes without uttering a word. On March 9, 2026, Russia’s Defense Minister, Andreï Belousov, touched down in Lomé by plane, only to be greeted the following day…
US-Sahel strategy: Morocco’s rising role in shifting power dynamics
The geopolitical landscape of the Sahel is quietly undergoing a profound transformation. As European military deployments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have waned, and Russia has expanded its footprint through state-linked…
Challenges of free movement for AES member states
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the ECOWAS was presented as an assertion of sovereignty, yet it has inadvertently complicated cross-border travel for citizens and goods within the Alliance…
The hidden cost of small gifts in Mali’s struggle with corruption
Terms like “Bonya” (respect), “woro songo” (the price of cola), and “buru songo” (the price of bread) are common in local languages across Mali. They serve as euphemisms for the illicit “small…
Unified force AES goals and strategies explained
what is the unified force AES and why does it matter? The unified force AES (FU-AES) represents a historic milestone in military cooperation between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Established to address…
Human rights decline in Niger after 2023 coup
This report has been developed for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Niger, scheduled for April-May 2026. Amnesty International assesses the implementation of recommendations previously issued to Niger, focusing on critical areas…
Mali’s healthcare revolution: how to expand access to medical services
Mali’s healthcare revolution: how to expand access to medical services Mali launches its first health month to tackle inequities in medical services. Healthcare in Mali faces critical challenges Share Access to healthcare…
CADHP83 : mettre un terme à la répression des défenseur·e·x·s des droits humains au Sahel
Renforcer la protection des défenseur·e·x·s au moyen de lignes directrices diplomatiques 14 mars 2026 ISHR lance deux nouveaux outils interactifs visant à renforcer les initiatives diplomatiques en faveur des défenseur·e·x·s des droits…
Burkina Faso’s military government expels two French journalists amid media crackdown
Click to expand Image A television displays the cut signal of France 24, hours after Burkina Faso’s military government suspended the channel on March 27, 2023. © 2023 Olympia de Maismont/AFP via…