Explainer – Why are West and Central Africa’s floods so devastating this year?
Dakar, Senegal Reuters Unusually intense seasonal rains have drenched swathes of West and Central Africa since June, unleashing deadly floods that have affected millions and submerged farmland in 19 countries. Below are factors that are making the floods worse and data on the scale of their impact. An aerial view of the flooded Obagi community […]
Essay: Burkina Faso coup raises questions about growing Russian involvement in west Africa
In an article first published on The Conversation, scholars EMMA HEYWOOD, EMMANUEL KLIMIS, LASSANÉ YAMÉOGO, and MARIE FIERENS examine Russian influence in West Africa and the role media – particularly social media – is playing in that…
Attack on vehicle kills 35 civilians in northern Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoReuters At least 35 civilians were killed and 37 injured in northern Burkina Faso on Monday when a vehicle in a convoy hit an improvised explosive device, the interim government said in a statement. The escorted supply convoy heading to the capital, Ouagadougou, hit the IED between the northern towns of Djibo and […]
Millions at risk: Ukraine war hits Africa’s most vulnerable as aid costs spike
EDWARD MACALLISTER, of Reuters, reports on how the war in Ukraine is threatening lives across sub-Saharan Africa…
UN cutting refugee rations in Africa’s Sahel amid “alarming” food insecurity
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters Food rations for refugees and displaced people are being cut by up to half in parts of the Sahel due to a massive funding shortfall with millions set to go hungry as prices rise and climate shocks hit yields, UN agencies said on Friday. The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) estimates that some […]
Essay: Jihadism and coups in West Africa’s Sahel region – a complex relationship
In an article first published on The Conversation, FOLAHANMI AINA, of King’s College London, looks at the links between West Africa’s recent coups and Islamist insurgencies…
Death toll from Burkina Faso attack rises to 80
Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoReuters The death toll from an attack on civilians and the military in northern Burkina Faso has risen to 80 people, the government said in a statement on Thursday. The attack occurred on Wednesday when Islamist militants raided a civilian convoy that was being escorted by military police near the town of Arbinda, […]
Updated: Dozens die in Burkina Faso as Islamist militants raid convoy
Updated: 10.40am (AEST)Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoReuters Dozens of people were killed in northern Burkina Faso on Wednesday when Islamist militants raided a civilian convoy that was being escorted by military police, the latest in a spate of attacks across West Africa’s Sahel region this month. President Roch Kabore ordered three days of national mourning following the […]
Conflict in Burkina Faso: Islamist extremist groups expand control to new fronts
SAM MEDNICK, of Associated Press, reports on the expanding conflict in the West African nation…
France ends West African Barkhane military operation
Paris, FranceReuters President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday France’s operation battling Islamist militants in the Sahel region of West Africa would come to an end with troops now operating as part of broader international efforts in the region. France, the former colonial power, has hailed some success against Sahel militants in recent months but the […]