Burkina Faso faces reckoning as military-led patriotism faces allegations of abuse

Allegations of sexual violence during a military-run training expose systemic risks What was meant to be a disciplined, patriotic initiative for Burkina Faso’s women’s national football team has instead become…

Mali’s new presidential jet sparks debate amid escalating security crisis

The unveiling of Mali’s latest presidential aircraft On Wednesday evening, viewers of ORTM witnessed the ceremonial unveiling of Mali’s newest presidential aircraft—a Boeing 737 earmarked for the official travel of…

Niger–Benin border closure: political leverage over practical solutions

The diplomatic overtures between Niger and Benin, following recent technical discussions, initially suggested a potential resolution to the prolonged border closure. Yet, the recent remarks by Niger’s transitional leader, General…

Niger’s diplomatic shift amid ongoing security challenges

The transitional leadership under General Abdourahamane Tiani has prominently embraced a diplomatic realignment, distancing itself from traditional Western partners while forging closer ties with emerging allies such as Russia. This…

Burkina Faso struggles between sovereignty rhetoric and escalating insecurity

The line separating political spectacle from ground-level reality in Burkina Faso grows thinner by the day. The military junta’s recent decree establishing a “memory attire” for national commemorations of decolonization…

Non-respect du SMIG au Bénin : le gouvernement appelle à la dénonciation et durcit le ton

Alors que le Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG) est officiellement fixé à 52 000 FCFA, plusieurs entreprises continuent de rémunérer leurs salariés en dessous de ce seuil légal. Face à…

Burkina Faso struggles with digital repression under Ibrahim Traoré

In Burkina Faso, the struggle for press freedom has evolved beyond traditional newsrooms and physical spaces, shifting into the digital realm where coordinated online campaigns and targeted harassment dominate. The…

Gold mining accountability in Cameroon and dr Congo

Across Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, gold extraction is expanding, yet the revenues generated are not fully reaching state coffers. This persistent shortfall stems from inadequate oversight within…

Burkina Faso: the solitude of power and its consequences

The age-old trap of military leaders ascending to power—only to fall victim to it—lies in mistaking rhetorical strength for on-the-ground reality. It is a pitfall that ensnares even the most…

Burkina Faso’s military junta struggles with deep internal divisions

The captain Ibrahim Traoré’s stern declarations—such as his infamous ‘If anyone messes up, I’ll crush them without hesitation’—belie a far more complex reality within Burkina Faso’s military and transitional government.…

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger bid for CAN 2032 amid persistent insecurity

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have jointly submitted their bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), positioning the move as a symbol of unity within the Alliance…

Gaskindé: the unresolved questions of Burkina Faso’s deadliest ambush

The attack that shook Burkina Faso On September 26, 2022, a military convoy heading toward Djibo, a besieged town in northern Burkina Faso, fell victim to a devastating ambush in…