Sierra Leone’s Bio Takes Over as ECOWAS Chair Amid Rising Instability
New ECOWAS chair Julius Maada Bio inherits a bloc grappling with jihadist violence, military coups and a shrinking circle of allies. West African leaders gathered in Nigeria’s capital on Sunday for a summit dominated by warnings of deepening insecurity and political instability, as Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio took over the rotating leadership of the […]
What is Behind the Wave of Killings in Central Nigeria?
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to bring an end to a wave of killings in the central Benue state. It is believed that more than 200 people have died in a series of attacks across various communities in the last few days alone. Tinubu described the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress”. He […]
Tuaregs in Mali and Burkina File ICC Complaint Against Armies, Russian Allies
Tuareg associations in Mali and Burkina Faso have filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court against their nations’ armies and the Russian paramilitary group, Africa Corps. Several Tuareg community organisations filed a complaint with the office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Sunday, according to RFI’s correspondent. The […]
Côte D’Ivoire’s Ouattara Poised for Fourth Term Bid as Opposition Pushes Back
Côte d’Ivoire is preparing for a contentious presidential election in October as President Alassane Ouattara’s supporters rally for his likely re-election bid. Meanwhile, opposition groups are demanding a fairer contest and the reinstatement of barred candidates. The political temperature is rising in Côte d’Ivoire as President Ouattara’s ruling party prepares to confirm his likely bid […]
Niger Targets Jihadist Financing, Kills 13 in Illegal Gold Mine Raids
Niger’s army has raided jihadist-controlled informal mining sites in the country’s west, killing more than a dozen insurgents and seizing material linked to the manufacture of improvised explosive devices, it said. An army statement said the raids took place last week in the Tagueye locality, near Niger’s western border with Burkina Faso. It said 13 […]
Togo Suspends RFI and France 24 for Three Months, Communications Authority Says
Togo has suspended broadcasts of French state-funded international news outlets RFI and France 24 for three months, its communications authority said on Monday, accusing them of a lack of impartiality and rigour. The suspension comes as tensions are rising between the West African country’s leader Faure Gnassingbe and the opposition. Gnassingbe received in May a powerful new […]
WADEMOS Bulletin: Special Edition of the Newsletter – May 2025
Our first newsletter for 2025 is out, and we are super excited to share it with you. This year is proving to be a great one, and we at WADEMOS are filled with enthusiasm, considering the impact and value we bring to democratic consolidation in the subregion. This special edition captures our collaboration with the […]
At Least 23 People Killed in Attacks in Central Nigeria, says Red Cross
A Red Cross official announced that gunmen killed at least 23 people on Saturday in four villages in Benue State, located in central Nigeria. Fighting regularly breaks out there between nomadic herders and farmers. At least 23 people have been killed by gunmen in four separate attacks in Benue State, central Nigeria , local Red Cross official Anthony Abah told […]
In Mali, the Military Junta Suspends Political Parties and Associations
A decree signed by Malian junta leader General Assimi Goïta suspended political parties and associations “until further notice” on Wednesday, May 7, citing “public order reasons .” The move is a further crackdown on dissent and a shrinking of civic space in the West African country, which has been ruled by the military since two coups in 2020 and […]
Burkina Faso Forces Killed 100 Civilians in March – HRW
At least 100 civilians were killed by Burkina Faso government forces in March near the western town of Solenzo, Human Rights Watch said Monday. According to victim testimony and videos shared on social media gathered by the rights group, the attackers were Burkina Faso special forces and members of a pro-government militia, the Volunteers for […]