MALI, Niger, and Burkina Faso have signed a major deal with Russia to acquire telecoms and surveillance satellites, in an effort to enhance security and communications across their borders. The three West African nations, governed by military juntas, have long been grappling with Islamist insurgencies and have increasingly relied on Russia for military and … Read more
Burkina Faso’s military junta has claimed it uncovered an international conspiracy to overthrow its regime, implicating neighbouring countries and foreign mercenaries in a plot that includes the massacre of hundreds of civilians by Islamist insurgents in August. The junta’s statement, made on Monday, has been met with scepticism from critics who accuse the government … Read more
BURKINA Faso is set to nationalise the Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines, purchasing them for approximately $80 million—a fraction of their previous sale price. The mines, which were sold by London-listed Endeavour Mining to Lilium Mining last year for $300 million, were acquired by the Burkinabe government on August 27. ‘This strategic decision aims … Read more
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the killing of around 200 people in the Burkinabe town of Barsalogho at the weekend, which left a further 140 injured. According to news reports, it was the latest terror attack by the Al Qaeda-linked militant group known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in the north … Read more
I was away on vacation for just two weeks, only to return to meet fuel queues still on the streets of Nigeria with the fuel stations rationing fuel in Lagos and other parts of the country. It is a big shame and an embarrassment that the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil cannot … Read more
COTE d’Ivoire has firmly rejected allegations made by Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, of attempting to destabilise its neighbour. These accusations emerged amidst heightened diplomatic tensions in West Africa, where military leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger recently formed the Alliance of Sahel States and severed ties with the regional bloc ECOWAS. In a recent speech, … Read more
BURKINA Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has accused France, with support from Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, of attempting to destabilise his country. In an interview from the capital, Ouagadougou, Traore claimed that there are French bases in Benin aimed at Burkina Faso, and that he possesses audio evidence of French agents coordinating with terrorists. … Read more
Burkina Faso’s junta has announced a ban on homosexual acts, making it the latest African state to crack down on same-sex relations despite strong opposition from Western powers. Homosexuality was frowned upon in the socially conservative West African state, but it was never outlawed. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala said the junta’s cabinet had now … Read more
BURKINA Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traore, appeared on national television on Thursday to refute claims of a mutiny within the army. This follows a recent al Qaeda-linked insurgent attack that resulted in the deaths of over 100 soldiers near the Niger border. Response to the attack Traore, commenting for the first time since the assault, … Read more
IN response to Burkina Faso’s escalating humanitarian crisis, US aid chief Samantha Power announced a significant aid package of nearly $55 million on Thursday. This allocation aims to address emergency food and nutrition needs, among other forms of assistance, reflecting the United States’ commitment to alleviating the dire situation. ‘Growing conflict and a dire humanitarian … Read more