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West’s waning influence in Africa laid bare as France announces withdrawal from Niger

France’s decision to withdraw its ambassador and military forces from Niger, the West’s last key ally in the central Sahel region, amid a wave anti-French sentiment, are yet another blow to Paris’s influence in its former African colonies, laying bare Europe’s weakening influence in the continent, analysts and diplomats say. President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement on […]

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Burkina Faso’s parliament greenlights deployment of troops to Niger

The parliament in Burkina Faso authorized Tuesday September 19 plans by the transitional leader Captain Ibrahim Traore to send troops to neighboring Niger facing a looming foreign military intervention to restore deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum. All the 71 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal. The contingent will have a three-month renewable mandate starting from […]

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Alliance of Sahel States: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger establish mutual defense pact

The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger signed over the weekend a mutual defense pact establishing an Alliance of Sahel States (AES) that will allow them to cooperate against threats of armed rebellion or external aggression. The AES was established by the Liptako-Gourma Charter, in reference to a region, where the Mali, Burkina […]

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France bans adoption of Burkinabe children as ties with Ouagadougou deteriorate

France’s Foreign ministry has suspended all international adoption procedures concerning children habitually resident in Burkina Faso by any person residing in France, “Sputnik” reports. “This measure does not apply “to procedures that have given rise, on the date of publication of this order, to a relationship by the Burkinabe Central Authority for the implementation of […]

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Niger bans activities by international organizations in military zones

The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), a junta in power in Niger, has prohibited activities of international organizations, including the UN agencies in military zones, reports say. “Due to the current security situation and the ongoing implementation of the tasks set by the armed forces of Niger, the Ministry of Internal […]

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Burkina Faso to send troops to Niger to prop up junta in event of aggression

The government of Burkina Faso has green-lighted plans to send military troops to Niger to back the junta in power in case of foreign aggression as possible military intervention of regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) looms. A Cabinet statement late Wednesday August 30, Anadolu news agency reports, said the government was […]

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Dozens of African countries in attendance at 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing

As many as 50 African States have sent officials to the third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum taking place in Beijing as part of China’s security cooperation with Africa. An alternative to the US presence in the continent and European influence. Chinese authorities placed the event under the theme: “Implementing the Global Security Initiative [GSI] […]

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Niger gives Mali, Burkina Faso permit to intervene in event of ECOWAS military operation

Niger, led by a junta, Thursday August 24 indicated that Mali and Burkina Faso can intervene military on its soil should the country be confronted by any aggression in the backdrop of a possible military action by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to restore deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum. Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi, the […]

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Burkina Faso ex-Transport Minister Vincent Dabilgou sentenced to eleven years in jail for funds embezzlement

A court in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou sentenced Thursday August 17 Vincent Dabilgou, former Transport minister under deposed leader Roch Christian Kaboré to eleven years in prison for embezzlement of public funds, money laundering and political party financing. The Court also indicated the former minister will serve seven suspended years and will pay €4.7 million […]

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Loss by France of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is official end of Françafrique – Ex Austrian top diplomat

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl has argued that Françafrique is over after France lost Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger where leaders have turned to Russia, China and Turkey. Kneissl, who had been in office from 2017 to 2019, said African countries have more opportunities on the continent and can choose whom to cooperate with. […]