Africa Features Headlines International

Ghana, Burkina Faso leaders meet in bid to strengthen ties amid ‘breakdown of trust’ in ECOWAS

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has met with Burkina Faso’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in high-level talks aimed at enhancing regional stability and fostering deeper economic partnerships. The discussions, held in Ouagadougou on Monday (10 March), covered a range of issues, with a particular emphasis on improving relations with the Economic Community of West […]

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 Headlines International

World Health Day: tackling urban air pollution top priority for African governments

As the world marked World Health Day on 7 April, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted air pollution — most notably in fast-growing cities in Africa — as a top danger that the governments on the continent need to resolve. Experts and organizations working for cleaner air in Africa have recently met in Cameroon’s […]

Africa Blogs Community Headlines International

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 Headlines International

Russian embassy re-opens in Burkina Faso after 32 years as France struggles to exert influence

After nearly 32 years without a diplomatic presence in Burkina Faso, Russia has announced the opening of its embassy in the capital Ouagadougou, in a move that marks a significant milestone in the relationship between both countries following an October deal to construct a nuclear power plant in the West African country. On Thursday, Russia […]

Africa Headlines International

Burkinabe junta leader prioritizes security over elections, plans constitutional changes

Burkina Faso’s junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in a 2022 coup, has said that elections in the country are “not a priority” compared to “security,” despite the military leadership’s earlier pledges to return to democracy with presidential elections by July 2024. “It’s not a priority, I’ll tell you that clearly, it’s […]

Africa Headlines International

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 […]

Africa Headlines International

Former lawmaker abducted in Ouagadougou set free

Issouf Nikièma, former parliamentarian and member of a leading political party in Burkina Faso, kidnapped last Friday July 21 in capital Ouagadougou by an unknown armed man, has been set free, his party announced Tuesday July 25. Union pour le Progrès et le Changement (UPC), Nikiema’s party, announced Tuesday that the politician was released by […]

Africa International

Burkina Faso rally calls for ‘sovereignty’ without France, endorses junta in power

Several thousands of demonstrators rallied in Burkina Faso’s capital on Saturday (28 January) in support of the ruling junta, a few days after the confirmation of the departure of France special forces from the country by February. Packing Nation Square in central Ouagadougou, demonstrators held signs bearing slogans including “Down with imperialism,” “Down with French […]

Africa International

ECOWAS mediator reaffirms commitment to Burkina Faso in wake of coup

The ECOWAS mediator for Burkina Faso has ended his visit to the country in the wake of last week’s coup, the second in eight months, whose main objectives were to establish relations with the new junta leader and to reinforce a two-year transition period for the country to return to democracy set up under the […]