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AQIM helped take control of large parts of northern Mali. The photo shows AQIM’s execution of a Tuareg in northern Mali in 2016 -Image Spplied

The Sahel region has become the gateway for jihadist terrorism in Africa

The three Sahelian countries — Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger — which have experienced military coups, have not been able to contain the growing episodes of terrorism they have…

On Wednesday, 15 April 2026 Burkina Faso’s ministry of territorial administration and mobility announced the dissolution of 118 NGOs and associations and banned their activities.

Burkina Faso is right to regulate NGOs

The West does not have a moral claim over African security. African states retain the right to choose partners according to their own historical interests. A multipolar world…

Vital role: Unifil at work in south Lebanon. Photo: Unifil-Pio

Dangers of killing peacekeepers

Each unaddressed attack undermines the UN’s legitimacy and reinforces perceptions of impotence

Drones have the potential to intensify destruction in modern warfare. The ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese government serves as a  case in point.

Africa must address the strategic impact of drones on future wars to preserve peace

New and emerging technologies should serve peace, not conflict

Powerful presence: Fatoumata Diawara performing at the CTIJF 2026. Photo: Armand Hough

Fatoumata Diawara channels ancestry and activism in Cape Town

Blending Malian heritage with high-energy pop, Fatoumata Diawara used the CTIJF stage to honour her roots and confront FGM, proving that heritage and modern activism are…

Salif Keita  celebrates Montreux’s arrival in Africa, urging artists to honour their roots while embracing music as a universal language

Salif Keita: Africa’s golden voice on jazz, legacy and his love of South Africa

The Malian legend celebrates Montreux’s arrival in Africa, urging artists to honour their roots while embracing music as a universal language

In solidarity: This group of protesters condemning violence against young people in Kenya, do so at a time when illegal and unconstitutional
detentions are common and crackdown legislation is consistently used to block peaceful gatherings in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Photo: Ezekiel Aminga

Elections and power in the digital age

These prosecutions mark a rising pattern: as elections approach across Africa, the distance between digital civic space and state power grows

Life president: NRM Presidential Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, together with the First Lady Maama
Janet Museveni, arrive at Buziga Islamic School grounds, Makindye Division, to kick off election campaigns.
Photo: National Resistance Movement

Africa 2026: polls sans choice, jobs

In addition, some of the continent’s wars show little sign of resolution

Kenyan Boniface Mwangi after a street protest in 2020. In 2025, he was driven to an unknown location, stripped naked, beaten by state security officers. Photo: File (2020)

African states silence dissenting voices through enforced disappearances

Governments on the continent are using enforced disappearances to silence political opposition but, as cases rise, only 21 of 55 states have ratified a key convention

Cote D’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara has confirmed his candidacy for re-election. Photo: File

Ouattara poised to win Cote d’Ivoire’s October presidential elections

This is despite protests by opposition parties

A vigil remembering journalists killed in Palestine held at St.Georges Cathedral in Cape Town on 28 January 2024. Photo by Leanne Brady

The Hague Group revives the possibility of a new internationalism

The grouping, made up of Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa, is a challenge to the West on Israel’s war in Gaza

Children in Africa are exposed to violence such as armed conflict, with some children recruited as child soldiers. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/AFP

Safeguard the rights and welfare of Africa’s children

About 50% of the continent’s children have experienced violence – emotional, sexual, physical and the added dangers of war

Many African countries are anxious not to be sucked into a new Cold War and want to maintain cordial relations with both Russia and the West. (Illustration: Getty Images)

Russia looking to strengthen Africa presence

Many African countries are anxious not to be sucked into a new Cold War and want to maintain cordial relations with both Russia and the West

Fickle singer: Ivorian Aicha Kone hold a photo of herself and Niger’s leader General Abdourahamane Tiani. Photo: Issouf Sanogo/AFP

Diva to junta: the singer praising West African putschists

How musical icon Aicha Kone has turned her back and microphone on the old political class in West Africa

Tributes: Malian musician Toumani Diabaté. Photo: Laurent Emmanuel/AFP

Mali loses a national treasure

Mali’s “king of kora” Toumani Diabaté died last Friday, 19 July, at the age of 58

Coup: Nigeriens  hold a sign reading ‘Together we will make it’ during a march called by supporters of coup leader General Omar Tchianis. Photo: Djibo Issifou/Getty Images

Coup trio’s exit from West Africa bloc shakes region

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have left the Economic Community of West African States, which could adversely affect trade and the end of military rule

Vested interest: The last French troops withdrew from Niger on 22 December last year, marking an end to
more than a decade of French anti-jihadist operations in West Africa’s Sahel region. Photo: Boureima Hama/AFP

Scramble for the Sahel intensifies

Why foreign powers France, Russia, China and the United States are interested in the region

One of the biggest difficulties the sector faces is securing permits and licences crucial for project commencement.

Russia nudges nuclear over solar

Burkina Faso and Mali may pay Rosatom to build nuclear plants. But why indenture yourself when energy emancipation is staring you in the face?

On guard: A Tuareg rebel in Kidal. Strikes by drones killed several adults and children. Photo: Tanya Bindra/Getty Images

Mali army air strikes blamed for civilian deaths in rebel-held town

Violence has risen since August as the military, rebels and jihadists battle for control

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the head of the Committee for the Transition and the Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), a formation formed after the coup, swears in on Gabon’s transitional president during inauguration ceremony in Libreville, Gabon on September 04, 2023. (Photo by Mabondo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A second wave of independence for former French colonies?

Rigging elections has been a national sport in too many of the region’s territories – will Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville be next?