Latest News & Developments
sahel
Is Mashatile's visit to France at odds with African unity?
Deputy President Paul Mashatile's visit to France has ignited a debate on South Africa's foreign policy, as critics question the timing amidst growing anti-French sentiment in the Sahel region.
Ukraine’s response to drone supply allegations in Mali
Ukraine officially denies allegations of supplying drones to rebels in Mali, but expert Taifour Smaïn argues that the evidence suggests otherwise, highlighting the geopolitical implications for the Sahel region
Concerns grow over Moldova and Ukraine’s support for separatists in the Sahel
Recent revelations indicate a troubling connection between Moldova and Ukraine in supporting separatists in the Sahel, raising questions about regional stability
Sanctions backtracking aimed at de-escalating tensions
OPINION: Perhaps by lifting the sanctions, Ecowas is trying to de-escalate tensions and make room for diplomacy and negotiations, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
At heart of Nigeria’s power crisis is a dearth of leadership
OPINION: According to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerians have an average of six hours of electricity supply from the national grid a day. Blackouts lasting up to 12 hours are frequent. To put things into perspective, electricity consumption per capita in the West African country is a low 144kWh, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
Reforms are needed to build on the success of AU-brokered deal
OPINION: While the Ethiopian peace deal is a shot in the arm for the AU’s conflict prevention and peace-building record, serious reforms are needed to build on this recent success, writes Dr Sizo Nkala.
African Union seeks funding overhaul to tackle terrorism, coups
The AU needs adequate, predictable and sustainable funding to play a more proactive role in maintaining security, and wants access to the obligatory payments countries make to finance the United Nations budget and peacekeeping operations, says Bankole Adeoye, the continental body's peace and security commissioner.
Algeria escalates France dispute with flight ban
The diplomatic discord between Algeria and France deepened on Sunday after Algiers banned French military planes from its airspace.
French forces kill Islamic State Sahel leader who was wanted by US
President Emmanuel Macron tweeted early today that Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the head of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara who was wanted for deadly attacks on US soldiers and foreign aid workers, was ’neutralised’ by French soldiers.
Extremists in Africa emboldened by Taliban’s successes
OPINION: While the withdrawal of foreign forces from African soil will be celebrated on the one hand, the lack of local capacity to stem the rapidly growing insurgencies in the Sahel is a real concern, writes Shannon Ebrahim.