An expert perspective Mali’s Moscow-supported military administration faces an intense struggle for survival in the wake of a coordinated jihadist and Tuareg offensive. This recent assault tragically claimed the life…
Category: Authoritarian Regimes & Africa
Widespread atrocities and civilian massacres in Burkina Faso: a report on crimes against humanity
Since early 2023, the national army of Burkina Faso, supported by allied militias and an Al-Qaeda-affiliated insurgent group, has been responsible for the deaths of over 1,800 civilians and the…
Economic lifelines and rivalries in the Sahel
On the surface, the nations spanning the Sahelian belt—a geographical expanse stretching from Mali to Chad—hardly appear to be a new economic promised land. To put it plainly, this is…
A timeline of military coups in Africa since 2020
Bénin has joined the expanding group of African nations where military personnel have sought to seize control since 2020. A recent attempt to take over the government lasted several hours…
The disastrous legacy of russian mercenaries in Mali
When the infamous Russian mercenary outfit, the Wagner Group, declared its withdrawal from Mali earlier this year, it proclaimed on social media that its “mission was accomplished.” In reality, the…
Mali’s escalating crisis: sexual violence impacts displaced women and girls
Mali’s escalating crisis: sexual violence impacts displaced women and girls As instability and forced displacements persist across central and northern regions of Mali, women face increasingly severe risks of gender-based…
Kémi Séba: pan-africanist influencer and alleged russian propaganda conduit
Russia’s influence operations extend beyond Ukraine, reaching into Africa through a distinct “influence war.” Kémi Séba, a prominent social media figure, is identified as a key facilitator of this campaign.…
Niger’s Coup: An Unprecedented Dynamic Reshaping the Sahel
The military takeover in Niger on July 26, orchestrated by General Abdourahamane Tiani, which deposed
Bénin’s “les démocrates” advocate for dialogue amidst Niger crisis
The escalating political turmoil in Niger, coupled with the looming threat of military intervention from the Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO) against the Nigerien putschists, is…
Sahel armies face growing allegations of human rights abuses
The United Nations has raised serious concerns over a surge in accusations of human rights violations by military forces in the Sahel, including allegations of forced disappearances and summary executions.…