The military-led government in Niger has ordered the immediate closure of the Red Cross office in the capital, Niamey, accusing the humanitarian organisation of “interfering in internal affairs” and failing to maintain neutrality in the country’s fragile political climate. The announcement came through a statement issued late Saturday by authorities loyal to General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), which seized power in a coup in July 2023. “You cannot be pretending to save lives in Niger while interfering in our politics,” said General Tchiani, in a pointed rebuke to the…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The recent suggestion by Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Christopher Musa, that the country should fence its land border to curb insurgency and criminal infiltration has sparked widespread reactions. While the security intent may be noble, the economic and logistical implications of such a project make it neither realistic nor sustainable. Nigeria’s total land border spans 4,047 kilometers, shared with four countries: Cameroon (1,690 km), Niger (1,497 km), Benin (773 km), and Chad (87 km). This does not include Nigeria’s water border length of 853 kilometers along the Gulf of Guinea. To attempt to fence such an expansive and…
Burkina Faso has taken a major step toward industrial self-sufficiency with the launch of its first-ever large-scale detergent manufacturing plant—the Fassi Detergent Industrial Complex (CIDF). The facility, located in Napamboum in the Pabré commune near Ouagadougou, was inaugurated by President Ibrahim Traoré in a ceremony that marked a turning point in the nation’s industrial ambitions. The factory, a 4.5 billion FCFA investment (approximately $7.5 million), has the capacity to produce up to 300 tonnes of cleaning products daily, including powder detergents, liquid soaps, and solid soaps. It is the first of its kind in Burkina Faso and a key part…
Gabon has officially withdrawn from its long-standing fisheries agreement with the European Union, ending an 18-year partnership that allowed EU fleets, primarily from Spain and France, to access Gabonese waters in exchange for annual payments and technical support. The decision, announced on June 6, 2025, marks a significant policy shift aimed at reclaiming national control over marine resources and stimulating local economic development. In a televised address, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema declared the deal no longer aligned with Gabon’s national interests. “For nearly two decades, our waters were harvested by foreign vessels while our local communities saw little return.…
Burkina Faso is experiencing a notable shift in consumer behavior, as more citizens turn to natural and healthy drinks in place of alcohol. Leading this transformation is Dafani, the country’s largest natural juice producer, which has become a symbol of both health-conscious living and economic empowerment. In a major boost to local industry, Dafani recently renovated its production facility, upgrading its operations and creating thousands of new jobs for Burkinabé workers. The company’s expansion is not only helping reduce unemployment but also revitalizing the local economy through direct investment and value addition. One of the most impactful outcomes of Dafani’s…
Fossil fuel (energy corporations) giants are not just destroying the planet — they are also complicit in violence, occupation, and colonialism. Our new activist toolkit exposes the hidden ties between powerful energy corporations and the oppression of Palestine. Focusing on Eni and Dana Petroleum, this resource dives into their colonial legacies, environmental abuses, and the resistance movements rising up to confront them. From fossil fuel extraction in North Africa to infrastructure deals that strengthen Israel’s apartheid regime, these corporations profit from global systems of exploitation. And as long as they do, justice in Palestine — and climate justice everywhere —…
In the wake of a devastating flash flood that has displaced hundreds and left over 2,000 people missing in Mokwa, Niger State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has deployed a robust humanitarian response across two emergency camps established for survivors. According to local sources and emergency response teams, 54% of the missing are children under the age of 12, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable in the affected communities. UNICEF, working alongside state and local authorities, has been providing life-saving services, including emergency nutrition for malnourished children, basic healthcare, water purification kits to…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to introduce ‘sin taxes’ on tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful products to offset major aid cuts proposed by the United States under President Donald Trump. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the call Thursday at a tuberculosis forum, warning that abrupt reductions in official development assistance (ODA) are disrupting health services across low-income countries. “We are seeing treatment interruptions, clinics closed, health workers losing jobs, and setbacks across key health areas including TB, HIV, malaria, child health, and vaccinations,” he said. The appeal comes as Trump formally submitted a rescission proposal…
In adisplay of national unity and determination, Nigeria has officially launched the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (pECCiN), a landmark initiative aimed at eradicating cervical cancer by 2030. The high-profile launch event, held in Abuja, brought together government leaders, international health experts, civil society organizations, and development partners under the leadership of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a passionate advocate for women’s health. “This is a defining moment for the health of Nigerian women and girls,” declared the First Lady, calling on state governors, business leaders, and international partners to invest in the campaign. “We must break…
In a step toward addressing its chronic electricity challenges, Burkina Faso has entered into a strategic partnership with Russia to develop nuclear energy capabilities, signaling both an ambitious energy transition and a shift in its global alliances. The agreement, formalized between the Burkinabé government and Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, includes plans to build the country’s first nuclear power plant. Beyond infrastructure, the deal emphasizes training Burkinabé personnel, developing local capacity, and raising public awareness about nuclear energy. With less than a quarter of its population currently having access to electricity, Burkina Faso sees nuclear energy as a long-term…