Africa Headlines International

West Africa junta regimes forge closer ties with hardline Islamist leaders

Religious leaders and especially Salafists in the three coup-hit West African countries have reportedly emerged as the unexpected allies of the new military authorities. The largely popular regimes in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali — West African countries, which have also undergone military coups since 2020 — enjoy the support of the religious leaders that […]

Africa Business Finance Headlines International

Three West African coup-hit states ponder ditching French colonial currency

Junta leaders in the coup-hit West African countries have recently made headlines when they pushed for the ditching of the West African franc (CFA), a colonial-era legacy, though the desire to change the currency seems to not be uniform yet among the three juntas. Since the coup in Niger in July last year, fissures within […]

Africa Headlines International

ECOWAS ‘has nothing against Niger, Mali or Burkina Faso’ — Nigerian military chief

African nations should unite against any form of uprising from jihadists in the Sahel region and other parts of West Africa following the withdrawal of the coup-hit Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS, Nigeria’s military chief, General Christopher Musa has said. The withdrawal of the three member states from the regional bloc, coupled with […]

Africa Headlines International

Burkina Faso junta leader warns AES armies ready to fight and ‘teach’ ECOWAS ‘lesson’

“They taught us a lesson, but they will also learn,” Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has warned the regional bloc ECOWAS of a possible armed conflict amid escalating tensions, stressing that the united armies of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are prepared to take on the ECOWAS forces that had been touted […]

Africa Headlines International

Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger juntas confirm plan to form new tri-state confederation

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have confirmed their commitment to form a confederation following their ‘exit’ from the regional bloc ECOWAS and called to “urgently” draft provisions ensuring the free movement of people and goods between the three West African countries. A trilateral meeting of ministerial delegations on 15 February also recommended expanding the Alliance […]

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Russia launches new ‘Africa Corps’, part of Putin’s new military plans for the continent

After Wagner Group’s collapse in mid 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently launched a new Africa Corps, with 100 military staff officially deployed to Burkina Faso, with the aim to continue serving Russia’s interests on the continent — unofficially. While the war in Ukraine continues unabated, the depth of the ties between Burkina Faso […]

Africa Emerging Markets Headlines International

West Africa’s ‘Brexit’: Mali stays with regional currency zone, Burkina Faso weighs exit

Mali has said it has no intentions of leaving West Africa’s currency zone, while Burkina Faso has hinted at its possible withdrawal after they, along with Niger, announced their departure from the region’s political bloc ECOWAS as a form of protest. In a blow to hard-fought regional integration, late January, the military governments of Burkina […]

Africa Asia Finance Headlines International

Japan grants Burkina Faso $1.3m for road maintenance

Japan’s international Cooperation Agency, JICA, has provided Burkina Faso with $1.3 million destined to finance acquisition of equipment to be used in the maintenance of roads in the West African country. Burkina Faso’s top diplomat Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore signed the grant deal with JICA local resident Keiichi Okitsu. Traore said that the agreement will give […]

Europe Headlines International

Germany to expand its engagement in Sahel despite Europe’s failed security strategy

Politicians and experts in Germany have called on the European country to continue its involvement in Africa’s Sahel region even after the 2020s did not turn out as expected for Berlin. According to Deutsche Welle, Africa’s Sahel is considered a strategic location for Germany, which has long been a significant player in stabilization and development […]

Africa Algeria Columns Energy Headlines International

ECOWAS: Withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso & Niger from African Bloc Kills Algeria-Nigeria Pipeline Project

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), dealing a hard blow to France and the Algerian regime which is serving the agenda of the former French colonial power in the region. In a joint statement released Sunday, the three Sahel countries said they took […]