Africa Headlines International

Chad’s Deby defends decision to break ‘obsolete’ defense pact with Paris

Chadian president Mahamat Idriss Deby has defended his decision to break military ties with France and ask for the withdrawal of French troops, saying that the security agreement with its former colonial master failed to provide substantial military value to the country amid various challenges, including terrorist attacks. Deby has said their defense pact no […]

Africa Features Headlines International

Chad’s gov’t breaks off defense cooperation agreement with France

Chad’s government is terminating a defense cooperation agreement with France, its former colonial ruler, with its top diplomat saying his country has “grown up” and now wants to fully assert its sovereignty. As Sahel nations, from Niger to Mali to Burkina Faso, have ousted French soldiers from their territories and moved closer to Russia, Chad […]

Africa Features Headlines International

EU-Niger tensions soar after EU envoy recalled over junta’s aid mishandling claims

The European Union has recalled its ambassador in Niger for consultations in Brussels after the junta-led authorities had on Friday (22 November) questioned the EU’s management of humanitarian aid provided to those impacted by severe flooding in the Sahel country. The EU recalled its ambassador, Salvador Pinto da Franca, from Niamey after Niger’s junta had […]

Africa Energy Features International

Niger junta invites Russian firms to exploit its resources amid dispute with French nuclear group

Niger’s military junta has invited Russian firms to invest in the country’s uranium and other natural resource production after French nuclear group Orano halted uranium output there last month, part of an ongoing dispute between Niamey and its former colonial master, France. “We have already met with Russian companies that are interested in coming to […]

Africa Features Headlines International

Violence in Chad: 17 troops, 96 rebels killed in Boko Haram attack

At least 17 Chadian soldiers were killed in a weekend attack by Boko Haram militants on a military post that also left 96 of the attackers dead in the country’s west, according to Chadian army sources. The attack in the Lake Chad region, which has been plagued this year by frequent attacks from insurgents, happened […]

Africa Business Europe Headlines International

Turkey seeks to tap into Niger’s mining potential

Turkey is diversifying its African partners, moving from east Africa to the Sahel and Niger in particular where Ankara sees mining opportunities. In this respect, Turkey signed a deal to cooperate in the mining sector in the covered uranium-rich but unstable Sahel country. Turkey and Niger signed a provisional pact to boost cooperation in mining, […]

Africa Americas Headlines International

U.S. finalizes military exit from Niger amid growing tensions

The U.S. has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Niger, according to an official announcement on Monday. A small contingent of military personnel remains to secure the U.S. Embassy, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said. Earlier this year, Niger’s military government terminated an agreement allowing U.S. forces to operate in the country. This culminated in […]

Africa Features Headlines International

Nigeria, Niger ink security cooperation deal aiming to rebuild frayed security ties

Nigeria’s military and the junta in neighboring Niger have signed a new security agreement that aims to bolster regional stability and security a year after their normally positive bilateral ties soured after Niger’s coup in July 2023. Despite strained relations and their shared border being closed as part of the sanctions imposed by the Economic […]

Africa Headlines International

Russian ‘Bear Brigade’ troops exit Burkina Faso due to Ukraine’s Kursk incursion

The Russian private military company Bear Brigade has confirmed earlier reports by the French daily Le Monde that it had departed from Burkina Faso after arriving in the country in May. The 100-strong Bear Brigade, with links to Russia’s Defense Ministry, is withdrawing its fighters from the conflict-torn West African country due to Ukraine’s incursion […]

Africa Algeria Headlines International

Algeria expels over 2000 sub-Saharans to Niger in inhumane conditions

Algeria continues its refoulement of Sub-Saharans abandoning over 2000 on August 1-12 on the borders with Niger in inhumane conditions, according to French radio RFI. The migrants were dumped in the desert in extreme heat about 15 kilometers away from Essamaka, where an IOM center is based. Aziz Chehou, coordinator of Alarm Phone Sahara (APS) […]