Drought in the Sahel

Jihadist Assaults Hit Industrial Heartland in Western Mali as Kayes Factories Burn

Several industrial facilities in Mali’s western Kayes region were attacked on Sunday, January 11, as suspected jihadists linked to al-Qaeda expanded their campaign from fuel blockades to direct strikes on economic infrastructure. According to reports published this Monday, three factories producing cement, lime and plaster — owned by Malian and Indian businessmen — were targeted […]

Sudanese Military Chief escapes drone attack at graduation ceremony

In a dramatic turn of events, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, Sudan’s military leader, narrowly escaped a drone strike during an army graduation ceremony in eastern Sudan. The attack, which claimed five lives, underscores the ongoing turmoil in the country since the 2019 uprising that ousted long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir. The incident occurred in Gebeit as the […]

Gabon’s ‘Liberation Day’: A Year After the Coup, Hope and Hurdles

Gabon is marking a year since its military coup with a mix of celebration and cautious optimism. The overthrow of the Bongo family’s 56-year rule was widely hailed as a “liberation” by Gabonese tired of corruption and economic stagnation. In Libreville, the capital, crowds gathered to cheer interim president General Brice Oligui Nguema. There’s a […]