The West does not have a moral claim over African security. African states retain the right to choose partners according to their own historical interests. A multipolar world means nothing if African states must still ask Western permission before selecting allies, building armies, nationalising resources, regulating NGOs or rejecting political models that serve foreign capital more than African people
Each unaddressed attack undermines the UN’s legitimacy and reinforces perceptions of impotence
New and emerging technologies should serve peace, not conflict
Blending Malian heritage with high-energy pop, Fatoumata Diawara used the CTIJF stage to honour her roots and confront FGM, proving that heritage and modern activism are inseparable
The Malian legend celebrates Montreux’s arrival in Africa, urging artists to honour their roots while embracing music as a universal language
These prosecutions mark a rising pattern: as elections approach across Africa, the distance between digital civic space and state power grows
In addition, some of the continent’s wars show little sign of resolution
Governments on the continent are using enforced disappearances to silence political opposition but, as cases rise, only 21 of 55 states have ratified a key convention
This is despite protests by opposition parties
The grouping, made up of Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa, is a challenge to the West on Israel’s war in Gaza
About 50% of the continent’s children have experienced violence – emotional, sexual, physical and the added dangers of war
Many African countries are anxious not to be sucked into a new Cold War and want to maintain cordial relations with both Russia and the West
How musical icon Aicha Kone has turned her back and microphone on the old political class in West Africa
Mali’s “king of kora” Toumani Diabaté died last Friday, 19 July, at the age of 58
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have left the Economic Community of West African States, which could adversely affect trade and the end of military rule
Why foreign powers France, Russia, China and the United States are interested in the region
Burkina Faso and Mali may pay Rosatom to build nuclear plants. But why indenture yourself when energy emancipation is staring you in the face?
Violence has risen since August as the military, rebels and jihadists battle for control
Rigging elections has been a national sport in too many of the region’s territories – will Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville be next?
Far too many African assets are still under the control of Western powers
At the core of the Sahel coups is the removal of governments and leaders either historically not in support of the US/France or moving away from external domination
Activist-turned-banker Lincoln Mali’s memoir Blazing a Trail is well intentioned but sadly it misses the mark in many ways
A Malian court last month sentenced the troops to 20 years in prison
Mansa Musa ruled Mali when it was the world’s gold hub, travelled and invested in religion and education, but remains a mystery
The expanding use of private military and security companies in recent years suggests that they may take a leading role as the Ukraine conflict develops
To celebrate International Museum Day, we look at10 culturally-relevant museums in African
French troops have now begun to leave Mali, but they are not returning to France. They will be sent to neighbouring Niger
The world’s poorest country is nevertheless host to 61 000 Malians who fled jihadist attacks
This time, the civilian government managed to hang on to power
Many among the deposed African heads of state held major positions in the AU at the peak of their atrocities back home
Africa is again becoming the stage for the proxy wars of foreign powers
France’s role as international security guarantor in Francophone Africa is being contested, especially in the Central African Republic and Mali