Niger’s struggle for food sovereignty amid russian fertilizer dependency

In Niger, the push for full national sovereignty has taken center stage, with calls to sever ties with long-standing Western partnerships and reclaim control over the country’s future. This bold…

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…

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…

Niger struggles under three years of military rule

Three years have passed since Niger’s military leadership seized power in July 2023, a pivotal moment that was supposed to restore national sovereignty, strengthen security, and revive the economy. Yet,…

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…

Niamey’s food crisis: why soaring vegetable prices reveal deeper agricultural flaws

The sudden surge in essential vegetable prices is exposing structural weaknesses in Niamey’s food supply chain, driven not by climate shifts but by a critical absence of agricultural foresight and…

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: Ibrahim Traoré’s challenge to uphold military unity

The captain Ibrahim Traoré’s address in Ouahigouya has laid bare a deep structural fracture within Burkina Faso’s governing power. His unfiltered and aggressive tone—laced with coarse language—betrays a crisis of…

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…

Burkina Faso: Ibrahim Traoré’s military ascension and the erosion of democratic norms

Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s unapologetic seizure of power The recent statements from Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, have intensified discussions regarding the legitimacy and direction of his regime following…

Togo faces scrutiny over foreign military presence amid governance concerns

Unanswered questions surround foreign military personnel in Togo In any democratic system, matters of national defense are inherently sensitive. Military operations, intelligence activities, and strategic partnerships often require discretion. Yet…