Russian paramilitaries from the Bear Brigade leave Burkina Faso
This group of around 100 men, who arrived in Ouagadougou in May, was responsible for protecting several key figures, likely including the junta’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Burkina Faso
Russian fighters to leave Burkina Faso for Ukraine
The Russian mercenaries were helping Burkina Faso fight Islamist insurgents, who recently staged a huge attack.
Russian fighters to leave Burkina Faso for Ukraine
The Russian mercenaries were helping Burkina Faso fight Islamist insurgents, who recently staged a huge attack.
EU condemns jihadist massacre in Burkina Faso
The European Union on Wednesday (28 August) condemned an attack claimed by jihadist rebels that killed dozens in Burkina Faso last weekend, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
Denmark to close Mali, Burkina Faso embassies
The country said it was shutting embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso and opening new ones in Senegal, Tunisia and Rwanda.
The Wagner method: How Russia crept into Africa
‘Russia’s conquest of Africa’ (2/3). Capitalizing on growing anti-French sentiment, the Kremlin has extended its influence across the continent through the paramilitary group. After arriving in the Central African Republic in 2018, the militia expanded…
Swedish ambassador expelled from Mali over ‘hostile’ comment
Sweden’s ambassador to Bamako, Kristina Kuhnel, has been ordered to leave the West African Sahel nation within 72 hours, Mali’s foreign ministry said on Friday (9 August), because of what it called a “hostile” statement by a Swedish minister.
The Bear Brigade, the Kremlin’s new paramilitary outfit in Africa
Since Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death on August 23, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense has taken over the Wagner Group’s activities in Africa. Among the many paramilitary units it supervises is the Bear Brigade, whose men made a conspicuous arrival in Bur…
US troops pull out of Niger’s Air Base 101
The US military withdrew its personnel from Niger’s Air Base 101 near the airport in the capital Niamey on Sunday (7 July), ahead of its exit from a major drone base near the desert city of Agadez in the coming weeks.
Burkina Faso suspends foreign news media over massacre reports
Burkina Faso has suspended a swathe of international news organisations in recent days for airing accusations of an army massacre of civilians, a move sparking concern on Monday (29 April).
Thousands of former Wagner fighters are now answering to Moscow
In Africa and beyond, Russia is using the same fighters who once turned on Moscow to undermine U.S. efforts to promote democracy and fight terrorism.
Ouagadougou vs. the BBC
Burkina Faso’s Russian-allied military junta targets Western media outlets.
Mali extends crackdown to ban media coverage of political parties
Mali’s ruling military junta on Thursday (11 April) banned media coverage of political parties a day after suspending their activities, marking the latest crackdown on dissent in the West African nation.
Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso quit ECOWAS bloc as West African tensions deepen
The three countries have had tense ties with the regional economic group after coups in recent years.
Burkina Faso thanks Russia for ‘priceless gift’ of wheat
It is the latest overture from an isolated European power seeking to deepen ties with West Africa.
France closes embassy in Niger
Months after the coup, Paris says conditions on the ground are ‘making it impossible’ for the embassy to carry out its missions.
Russia reopens embassy in Burkina Faso
The move is the latest sign that the former French colony is pivoting towards Russia.
Last French troops bow out of Africa’s Sahel
The last French troops are to withdraw from Niger on Friday (22 December), marking an end to more than a decade of French anti-jihadist operations in west Africa’s Sahel region.
Niger ends security and defence partnerships with the EU
Niger’s military leaders said Monday (4 December) that they were ending two European Union security and defence missions in the country, after earlier in the day agreeing to strengthen military cooperation with Russia.
Niger coup leader repeals law against migrant traffickers
The head of Niger’s military regime has repealed a law which criminalised the trafficking of migrants through the nation, a hub for those seeking to reach Europe via neighbouring Libya and Algeria, the government announced late Monday (27 November).
Russia to build nuclear plant to meet Burkina Faso’s energy needs
The deal comes after junta leader Capt Traore asked President Putin to help set up a nuclear plant.
France starts pulling soldiers out of Niger
Emmanuel Macron’s military drawdown in Africa’s Sahel region continues.
France withdraws troops from Niger
Troops involved in anti-terror operations are coming home, Macron announced.
The Brief – Coup epidemic in Africa
The recent military coup in Gabon comes in a line of similar events in former French colonies in Africa: Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger.
EU weighs sanctions on Niger as Gabon hit by latest coup
Measures on Niger have become the focal point of an EU meeting in Spain.
Niger observers link coup to president’s support for EU migration policies
Experts say army received bribes from people smuggling until 2015 law associated with Mohamed BazoumObservers have linked Mohamed Bazoum’s support for European Union policies aimed at stifling migration routes through north Africa to his ousting as pre…
‘Daddy is in the building’ — Prigozhin resurfaces in Africa video
Signaling it’s business as usual for the Wagner paramilitary group and its boss, the warlord claims his mercenaries are ‘conducting reconnaissance and search activities’ in an unnamed country.
Time’s up for France in Africa
While pulling out of the continent would, to some degree, diminish France’s global stature, the reality is that the country has other priorities that better reflect its vital interests.
France, US relations grow tense over Niger coup
Officials in Paris are frustrated that their American counterparts have been willing to engage with the junta that overthrew Niger’s president.
Niger coup supporters protest West African military force
Thousands of Niger coup supporters took to the streets on Friday (11 August) to protest against plans by West African nations to deploy a military force to the country, as a key regional meeting on a possible intervention was scrapped.