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FOUND: 6 - What They Never Told You

Three Sahel nations exit West African bloc as regional politics shift

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso were to officially quit the West African bloc Ecowas Wednesday, severing ties after years of strained relations that have reshaped trade routes in the Sahel.

Radio France Internationale

Thousands Rally In Burkina, Mali And Niger To Cheer ECOWAS Exit

Thousands of people rallied in junta-led Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali on Tuesday to back their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc, due to take effect Wednesday.

International Business Times

France’s military withdrawal presents opportunities and risks to West African states

In early January, Côte d’Ivoire announced that French troops would be withdrawing from the country and the military base of Port-Bouët would be handed over to Côte d’Ivoire’s army. The announcement is part of a seismic shift in France’s decades-long presence across francophone Africa.

The Conversation

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West Africa Juntas Tighten Screws On Foreign Mining Firms

Earlier this month, soldiers swooped by helicopter into a vast mining complex in western Mali and made away with three tonnes of gold -- all done on the orders of the military government.

International Business Times

Ghana steps up efforts to mend regional ties with Sahel alliance appointment

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has appointed a former national security chief as envoy to the alliance formed by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, signalling his administration's intention to mend ties with the three military-led nations.

Radio France Internationale

West Africa's junta-led nations announce deployment of a joint force as extremist violence spikes

Niger’s defense minister says the junta-led West African countries of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have created a joint force that will soon be deployed in the restive Sahel region against rising extremist violence

The Independent UK

Fears for the future in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso over Ecowas withdrawal

The withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso – who have formed their own Alliance of Sahel States – from West African bloc Ecowas is set to take effect on 29 January, with security experts and members of the diaspora voicing concern over what lies ahead.

Radio France Internationale

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Ghana’s new president faces tough regional security problems: why he’s well-placed to tackle them

John Mahama has been sworn in as Ghana’s new president. He inherits a host of security challenges by dint of the country’s position in the west African region, which has become increasingly volatile.

The Conversation

West Africa could soon have a jihadist state – here’s why

The Sahel region of Africa, between the Sahara and the tropical savannahs to the south, has emerged as a significant base of groups that want to establish jihadist states.

The Conversation

‘We would turn up to find books on fire’: the teachers risking kidnap and death to keep Burkina Faso’s schools open

Conflict has forced a fifth of the country’s schools to close. One teacher, determined to keep working despite threats from marauding Islamist militias, shares their testimony

The Guardian - UK

West African military leaders prepare to exit Ecowas regional bloc, raising concerns for stability

Leaders of the west African regional grouping Ecowas approved the long-awaited withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the bloc in December. The three countries have been granted a six-month grace period from January 29, when their exit becomes official, to reconsider their decision.

The Conversation

They fled from extremists. Now the government in Burkina Faso tries to hide their existence

Their loved ones were slaughtered by extremists or government-affiliated fighters

The Independent UK

Mali accuses Algeria of fuelling Sahel insecurity by supporting Tuareg rebels

As Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger prepare to withdraw from the West African bloc Ecowas, reports show an increase in instability in the region – partly due to a lack of coordination in the fight against jihadism – with Mali now accusing Algeria of supporting Tuareg rebel groups.

Radio France Internationale

Frexit: Why Ivory Coast is joining African campaign to expel French troops

Ivory Coast is the sixth in a growing list of African nations cutting military ties with former colonial power France.

Al Jazeera

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Radio France Internationale

Burkina Faso extends amnesty to those involved in failed 2015 coup

Burkina Faso’s transitional legislative assembly has passed a bill granting amnesty to soldiers involved in the failed coup in September 2015.

Radio France Internationale

Burkina Faso releases four French nationals after detaining them for a year

Burkina Faso's junta-led government said Thursday that it had released four French nationals it called spies, following Morocco-mediated negotiations with France.

Top News

ECOWAS Approves Exit Timeline For Coup-Hit Nations

ECOWAS approves exit timeline for coup-hit nations Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, posing challenges for regional stability.

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Radio France Internationale

Niger soldiers killed in 'terrorist attack' near Burkina Faso

Ten soldiers were killed and another seven wounded in a "terrorist attack" in western Niger near the border with Burkina Faso, the army said in its operational bulletin on Wednesday.

Radio France Internationale

Senegal 'making progress' convincing military regimes in Sahel to remain with Ecowas

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has said he is 'making progress' in a mediation mission with junta-led Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, after the trio announced their departure from regional bloc Ecowas.

Radio France Internationale

Burkina Faso military regime fires PM, dissolves government

Burkina Faso's ruling junta has dismissed interim Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolved the government. No explanation was given for the move.

The Independent UK

Burkina Faso's military junta sacks the prime minister and dissolves the government

Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has issued a decree dismissing Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and announcing the dissolution of the national government

The Conversation

Gabon’s coup leaders have changed the constitution to entrench their power – it’s a growing trend in west Africa

More than a year after a military coup, Gabonese citizens have held a referendum in which they approved a new draft constitution. The constitutional revisions targeted dynastic rule by introducing presidential term limits and banning family members of a sitting president from running for the office.

The Conversation

Military rule is on the rise in Africa – nothing good came from it in the past

In the last few years, there has been a spate of military coups in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Guinea. Military rule, long dormant in African politics, is back.

The Independent UK

Mali arrests top politician for criticizing Burkina Faso's ruling junta

The son of one of Mali's top politicians says the country's ruling junta has arrested his father for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso

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People

Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Roch Marc Christian Kaboré

24 stories

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the Economic Community of West African States

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Economic Community of West African States

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the Alliance of Sahel States

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the Africa Corps

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