Unified force AES: strategies for regional security in west africa

how the unified force of the AES can achieve its security goals The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger gathered in Bamako this week to assess progress in…

Burkina Faso: unlawful detention and conviction of human rights lawyer Ini Benjamine Esther Doli

Unjust conviction and continued detention of a prominent human rights advocate in Burkina Faso In a deeply troubling development, human rights lawyer Ini Benjamine Esther Doli has been convicted and…

Burkina Faso criminalizes same-sex relations: a major setback for lgbtq+ rights

Click to expand Image On September 1st, the Transitional Legislative Assembly of Burkina Faso enacted a new law, criminalizing consensual same-sex relations. This legislative move represents a significant regression for…

Burkina Faso : fin de l’enrôlement forcé pour plusieurs journalistes

Click to expand Image Au début du mois de juillet 2025, les autorités du Burkina Faso ont procédé à la libération de cinq journalistes ainsi qu’un militant des droits humains.…

Enforced disappearances of human rights defenders in Burkina Faso

Enforced disappearances of human rights defenders in Burkina Faso ©Balai citoyen Share URGENT APPEAL – OBSERVATORY BFA 002 / 0525 / OBS 022Enforced disappearanceBurkina FasoMay 2, 2025 The Observatory for…

Future of democracy in the alliance of Sahel states

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—has become a focal point of debate surrounding the future of democracy in West Africa. Since military takeovers between 2020…

Mali: l’inquiétante menace de dissolution des partis politiques

En réponse aux récentes discussions sur la réforme de la Charte des partis politiques au Mali, Ousmane Diallo, expert du Sahel pour Amnesty International en Afrique de l’Ouest et centrale,…

Crackdown on dissent in Burkina Faso escalates

Burkina Faso’s escalating crackdown on dissent and free speech The government of Burkina Faso has intensified its efforts to silence critics by adding the names of several prominent journalists and…

Political turmoil in Benin after thwarted coup attempt

The recent arrests of three prominent figures in Benin, suspected of plotting a coup d’état, have thrust the country into a heated debate about the post-Talon era. President Patrice Talon,…

CEDEAO withdrawal threatens human rights in Burkina Faso Niger Mali

The recent announcement of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) raises critical concerns about the protection of human rights in these…

Benin’s constitutional amendments ignite political debate

A significant constitutional reform was swiftly enacted in Benin on November 1st, introducing a novel “presidential ticket” system. This new framework mandates that the President of the Republic and a…

Burkina Faso transition: political shifts and challenges ahead

The definition of a coup d’état often hinges on international interests and the stance of neighboring states, making its legitimacy a contentious issue. In Burkina Faso, the appointment of Michel…