Ecowas warns of ‘disintegration’ as juntas split from west African bloc
Breakaway union by military rulers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger exposes growing fissures within the region
June 2024
Explosion at weapons depot in Chad's capital causes multiple deaths – video
A deadly explosion at a weapons depot in N'Djamena killed at least nine people and injured 40 as people living nearby were forced to flee
April 2024
The Guardian view on the Sahel and its crises: the west can still make a difference
Lethal heatwave in Sahel worsened by fossil fuel burning, study finds
January 2024
Rights and freedom
The forgotten human rights stories of 2023 – in pictures
From the thousands of people still missing in Syria to the world’s largest displacement of people in Sudan, here are eight ongoing crises that demand global attention
October 2023
France to begin pulling out troops from Niger this week
Paris says it is unable to work with putschists, leaving efforts to counter Islamists in Sahel in disarray
September 2023
Mali jihadists kill dozens in twin attacks amid growing Islamist threat
Group affiliated with al-Qaida target army base and Timbuktu river boat as violence surges in region
August 2023
Before Prigozhin’s death, Wagner was fighting on Russia’s behalf in Africa. What happens now?
Dino Mahtani
From securing resources to destabilising western influence, the mercenary group’s activities hang in the balance, says writer Dino Mahtani
Niger military junta says it will prosecute ousted president for high treason – video
Niger's ruling junta has doubled down in on its decision to remove Mohamed Bazoum from power
Niger coup: why do so many want France out and Russia in? – video explainer
The Niger crisis shows France’s quasi-empire in Africa is finally crumbling
Nabila Ramdani
Niger: hundreds of junta supporters gather in Niamey amid threat of military intervention – video
July 2023
Niger coup leaders warn against military intervention as west African leaders set to meet
Heads of state will meet in Nigeria on Sunday where they will decide on further actions to pressure army leaders to restore constitutional order
May 2023
Niger’s cycle of deadly violence raises questions over US counter-terror role
The western security assistance was regarded as a success but now some analysts suggest it is making matters worse
March 2023
US aid worker and French journalist freed after years held hostage in Africa
Jeffery Woodke and Olivier Dubois, who had been kidnapped by jihadists in the Sahel, were released in Niger
February 2023
Macron pledges to reduce French military presence in Africa
President’s comments come ahead trip to continent as Paris seeks to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence
January 2023
How mushrooms could mean economic independence for Benin’s women
Some rural women could find a way through the challenges brought by climate crisis, inequality and conflict by cultivating fungi in the former Marxist state
August 2022
‘Grandmothers are our weather app’: new maps and local knowledge power Chad’s climate fightback
The Guardian picture essay
‘There are snakes – but we attack the fires’: refugees fight flames in the Sahara
July 2022
‘We have travelled for a month to find grass’: climate crisis piles pressure on Senegal’s herders
Young pastoralists are proud of the tradition they have inherited. But drought, farming and conflict all endanger their lifestyle – and their lives
