Sahel

Mali’s battle for Anefis is challenging Russia’s influence in the Sahel, as rebels downed a helicopter and surrounded an army base. The conflict highlights tensions over regional control.

Benin's Parakou dry port shipped its first cotton on June 23, marking the completion of a decade-delayed Petrolin project. The project connects northern Benin and the Sahel to the Port of Cotonou.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have begun withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing a break from Western influence. The states notified the United Nations on 18 June (Niger) and 24 June 2026 (Burkina Faso and Mali), with the withdrawal process taking one year to finalize.

Sahel countries Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges governments to pressure these nations to reverse their decision, citing betrayal of victims.

The article discusses security and development threats in the Sahel region of West Africa. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah is mentioned as the president of centre4s.

The U.S. is reducing its leadership role in global counterterrorism, shifting responsibilities to allies while cutting domestic agency resources. The U.N. strategy meeting addresses rising decentralized threats from groups like ISIS-K and Al-Qaeda in the Sahel, as funding gaps shift priorities toward Gulf state priorities.

Burkina Faso severed diplomatic ties with France on June 26, 2026. The article examines the economic and security costs of this defiance in trade, finance, and aid.

Burkina Faso's military junta severed diplomatic ties with France, accusing the former colonial power of acting against its interests and supporting subversive networks and militants in the Sahel. The decision follows the 2022 coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traore and marks a deeper break with Western allies.

Mr. Sanusi urged ECOWAS to reconcile with Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, stating their withdrawal has weakened regional integration, security cooperation, and economic opportunities in West Africa.

Maxwell Maduka, co-founder and chief engineer of Terra Industries, discusses the company's focus on building autonomous drone and counter-drone systems tailored for Africa's operating conditions. The article highlights the prevalence of cheap Turkish and Chinese drones in Africa and questions why Terra Industries is investing in a local defense industrial base.

Former EU leaders urge increased funding for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to address global challenges like supply chain disruptions, health threats, and security. They advocate for a €200 billion Global Europe budget and at least €60 billion in annual own resources to strengthen partnerships and ensure European competitiveness.

The Nigerian Federal Government emphasized the importance of West Africa in Nigeria's foreign policy, urging the country to mobilize resources to combat terrorism in the Sahel, proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, and drug and human trafficking in the sub-region.

Military rulers in Sahel countries Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are suppressing press freedom and freedom of expression, leading to many journalists, bloggers, and activists fleeing the region.

Livestock markets in Abidjan are slowing down as Burkina Faso and Mali suspend sheep exports ahead of the Islamic festival of Tabaski. Insecurity and closed trade corridors in the Sahel region are disrupting supply routes, causing scarcity and rising prices for sheep.

Local rebels in Mali reportedly shot down a Russian Shahed-136 drone, marking the first potential use of this weapon system in the Sahel region of Africa. Ukrainian sanctions official Vladislav Vlasyuk warns that Russia is expanding its drone warfare tactics to Africa by sourcing civilian electronics from Western and Chinese manufacturers.

Mali's military government has launched strikes against rebel-held Kidal as insurgency activities intensify in the region. The article questions the sustainability of junta-led governments in Mali and other Sahel nations amid ongoing security challenges.

US forces killed ISIS leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a joint operation with Nigeria in the Lake Chad Basin. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, head of US Africa Command, testified to Congress about concerns that a 75% force reduction over the past decade has compromised America's ability to counter terrorism threats across Africa's Sahel region.

Mali is experiencing a growing threat from jihadism, with little to stop militants from expanding their influence in the Sahel region. The situation poses significant concerns for regional stability and security. Militant groups are gaining strength, leading to increased instability.

Russia has expanded its influence in the Sahel through defense partnerships, particularly in Mali, and is now under scrutiny for its role in the region's security dynamics.

On April 25, jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and Tuareg separatists launched coordinated attacks on military installations across Mali, targeting locations including Bamako, Gao, Mopti, and Kidal. The attacks represent an escalation in a deteriorating security situation that Western governments have increasingly distanced themselves from.