west-africa
22 stories related to this topic, newest first.
The Japan TimesIvorian journalists protest government effort to select union leader
Journalists in Ivory Coast have protested a government attempt to appoint a new head of their national union. The move comes as press conditions in the country remain more stable than in neighboring states but face regional pressures.
France 24Senegal’s Pastef Party Re-Elects Ousmane Sonko as Leader
Sonko won re-election as party leader days after his dismissal as prime minister and subsequent election as National Assembly speaker. The vote occurred amid a rift with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
france24.comMali Court Jails French Diplomatic Agent for 20 Years on Security Charges
A Bamako court handed down the sentence on Thursday for undermining state security. The ruling also included a fine and entry ban.
france24.comUN Official Reports Libya Weapons from 2011 Conflict Have Reached Extremist Groups in Sahel and Nigeria
Izumi Nakamitsu said arms looted after the 2011 Libya conflict have been traced to Niger, Burkina Faso and Nigeria and are now held by extremist groups.
Abc NewsBenin inaugurates Romuald Wadagni as president after Talon’s two terms
Romuald Wadagni took office after Patrice Talon completed two terms. The transition continues Benin’s record of democratic handovers that began in 1991.
upi.comSenegal and Gambia Leaders Hold Closed-Door Talks in Banjul
The president of Senegal arrived in The Gambia on Saturday for a one-day state visit. The two countries reviewed bilateral agreements and discussed regional security and economic cooperation.
manilatimes.netMining acquisition faces delays over Mali operations
A proposed $4 billion mining deal has encountered delays. The target company's largest operation is located in Mali, where authorities have detained foreign executives in recent years.
thesouthafrican.comLiberia Secures $36 Million Commitment for Rubber Processing Facilities
Liberia reached a $36 million investment agreement with Cambodia-based Mainland Group to build rubber processing plants and support smallholder farmers. The commitment was announced during Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah's visit to Cambodia.
citizen.co.zaGhana Party Official Bars Reporter From Government Event
A Metro TV journalist was ordered to leave a May 19 project launch in Ghana's Upper East Region. The incident involved a constituency communications officer for the National Democratic Congress and drew subsequent online threats.
citizen.co.zaGuinea Declares It Will Protect Disputed Solumba Border Area With Liberia
Guinea's representative to the ECOWAS Parliament stated that Guinea will protect the Solumba border area claimed by both countries. The declaration came during a May 12, 2026 debate after Liberia's delegation raised the issue of Guinean troops near the Makona River.
bbc.co.ukAU Commission Chairperson Holds Bilateral Meeting With Guinea’s President Doumbouya at Africa-France Summit
H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met with H.E. General Mamady Doumbouya in Nairobi on 11 May 2026. The AU Commission chief reaffirmed support for Guinea's transition process and welcomed the country's engagement with neighbours. President Doumbouya commended the AU leadership and expres…
marketwatch.comBRVM Stocks Rise for Third Week as Trading Volume Doubles
The BRVM composite index gained 0.5 percent during the week ended May 8 to close at 404.59 points. All four equity indices advanced while trading volumes more than doubled from the previous week. The exchange is now up 17 percent since the start of 2026.
america.cgtn.comNiger Suspends Nine French Media Outlets Citing National Security
Niger's media regulatory authority suspended nine French outlets late Friday, accusing them of endangering public order and undermining security forces. Reporters Without Borders condemned the move on Saturday, calling the charges fabricated and urging reversal. The suspensions a…
news24.comNigeria and US Hold Security Talks in Washington
Nigeria's national security adviser met with U.S. officials including the vice president and secretary of state during a three-day visit from May 4 to 6, 2026. The discussions covered counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, regional stability in West Africa and the Sahel, and bil…
france24.comBoko Haram Attack Kills at Least 23 Chadian Soldiers in Lake Chad Region
Suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked a Chadian military post on the island of Barka Tolorom, killing at least 23 soldiers and injuring 26, according to the country's armed forces. The army repelled the assailants, killing a significant number of them. The incident marks a conti…
france24.comMali's Goita Assumes Defence Minister Role After Predecessor Killed in Attacks
Mali's junta leader has taken over as defence minister following the killing of the previous minister in coordinated attacks by jihadist and separatist groups. The move comes amid ongoing security challenges, including a partial blockade on the capital. Regional alliances and joi…
france24.comMalian Forces Regain Control of Border Town from Islamic State-Linked Insurgents
Malian forces have reasserted control over a town on the Niger border after Islamic State-linked insurgents entered it this week. The development follows coordinated attacks, including one on a military base near the capital. The events highlight ongoing efforts to secure territo…
citizen.co.zaUNICEF Official Warns of Humanitarian Needs for 7.5 Million Children in Central Sahel
A senior UNICEF official highlighted that nearly 7.5 million children in the Central Sahel region require urgent humanitarian aid following a visit to Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The official noted ongoing violence, displacement, and service disruptions affecting the area. Gov…
Ministerio de Defensa de Rusia / Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)Mali Government Confirms Death of Defense Chief General Sadio Camara
The government of Mali has confirmed that General Sadio Camara, the country's defense chief, was killed during an ongoing offensive by militant groups. The incident involved a vehicle-borne attack amid clashes with Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and the Azawad Liberation Fr…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewMali's Defense Minister General Sadio Camara Dies in Coordinated Attacks on Military Sites
Mali's Defense Minister General Sadio Camara was killed amid coordinated attacks on military sites across the country. He was a central figure in the military government that seized power after coups in 2020 and 2021. Al Jazeera reported the incident, with operations involving Nu…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewFrench Special Forces Reportedly Involved in Combat Operations in Benin
French special forces are participating in combat missions against jihadists in northern Benin, according to multiple sources. This goes beyond the official role of training Beninese forces. The involvement follows a recent meeting between military leaders from France, Benin, and…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewAurum Resources Reports Thick Gold Intercepts at Boundiali Project in Côte d’Ivoire
Aurum Resources announced new drilling results from its BDT2 deposit at the Boundiali project, including thick intercepts of gold mineralization. The results extend beyond the current resource boundaries and support resource expansion. The company plans to continue drilling and c…