First Independent Mena Newspaper
The recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has placed significant pressure on Nigeria’s military, especially its Air Force. Air marshal Hassan Abubakar, Nigeria’s chief of air staff, highlighted at a recent meeting in Abuja that the departure of these countries from the regional security […]
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to launching the Eco currency by 2027, a key step in advancing regional economic integration and financial stability. The ambitious currency project, which aims to unify the economies of 15 West African countries, was discussed at the recent 11th ECOWAS Convergence Council meeting […]
Following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the collapse of the Wagner Group, Russia has recalibrated its strategy in Africa, maintaining influence through a mix of rebranding, expansion, and diversification, according to a new study by The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. The study by the Geneva-based organization notes that Moscow has quickly reassured […]
Recent expulsions of French military forces from several African nations, including Ivory Coast, Chad, and Niger, underscore a growing shift in the region’s geopolitical dynamics, fueled by Russian disinformation campaigns, according to analysts. Analysts believe that the Kremlin has been a key driver of the anti-French sentiment, using digital platforms to manipulate public opinion across […]
Mali’s military government has initiated an investigation into the alleged ‘cold execution’ of at least 24 civilians, including women and children, in the volatile northern part of the Sahel country. The accusations were made by the Tuareg separatist group, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), which is battling the Malian government in the same region. According […]
Moroccan-Malian joint military commission convened its first meeting in Bamako this week to discuss cooperation prospects, especially in terms of training and equipment of the army of the sub-Saharan country. The meeting also focused on cooperation in logistics and sharing experiences in addressing regional security threats. Mali’s Ministry of Defense stated in a press release […]
As the war in Ukraine winds down, African leaders are increasingly alarmed by reports that Russia may be sending ex-convicts disguised as mercenary forces to the continent. These individuals, initially recruited to fight on the Ukrainian front, are now feared to be relocated to Africa, raising concerns over escalating violence and instability. Reports suggest that […]
A senior US counterterrorism official has raised alarms about the increasing threat posed by global jihadist groups, warning that they are, for example, expanding their activities from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso into Benin and Togo, which had once had little exposure to jihadi threats. Speaking at a recent Washington conference, Sebastian Gorka noted that […]
A devastating collapse at an illegal gold mine near Kéniéba in Mali’s western Kayes region has claimed over 40 lives, predominantly women, highlighting the perilous nature of informal mining operations in one of the world’s major gold-producing nations. The tragedy occurred when prospectors entered abandoned open-pit areas in search of remaining gold deposits. This catastrophe, […]
Barrick Gold’s CEO Mark Bristow has said operations at its shuttered Loulo-Gounkoto mine in Mali will restart once the country’s junta authorities allow it to resume gold shipments. Operations at the site were halted in January 2024 after the Malian government blocked gold shipments and seized approximately $245 million worth of gold. Bristow emphasized that […]