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Mali

The defense chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Niger, gather for their extraordinary meeting in Accra, Ghana, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, to discuss the situation in Nig

3 coup-hit West African nations exit ECOWAS citing sanctions, no support against terrorism 

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have all experienced military coups in the past few years. They say the regional trade organization is not helping them fight terrorism but rather imposing severe sanctions on them. Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman reports from Ghana on the implications of their withdrawals.

The World

Wagner Group blamed for civilian slaughter in Mali

Wagner Group
French Barkhane force soldiers who wrapped up a four-month tour of duty in the Sahel board a US Air Force C130 transport plane, leave their base in Gao, Mali, Wednesday June 9, 2021.

Trust the process: Part II

Critical State
A family arrive at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, after fleeing from the Ukraine. 

There’s a double-standard when it comes to media coverage on refugees, analyst says

Weedie Braimah's "The Hands of Time" features the power and range of the djembe.

Musician Weedie Braimah lets the djembe speak for itself

Music
Swedish musician José González is known for stretching musical boundaries over his 18-year career. 

José González’s ‘Local Valley’ mixes sounds from West Africa, from the Sahel to Ghanaian highlife

Music

Over his 18-year music career, José González has tapped into sounds from three continents: Brazilian bossa nova, Swedish hardcore punk, and now, West African styles.

In this photo provided by US Navy, the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) returns home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam from a deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility

Aukus security pact sparks Chinese and French ire

Top of The World

China and France have condemned the new Aukus security pact between Australia, the UK and the US to build nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific region. Also, French forces say they’ve killed the leader of ISIS in the Greater Sahara in Mali. And thousands of people protested the introduction of Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador on the nation’s bicentennial.

Moroccan UN peacekeepers wearing blue helmets patrol a rich soil road Bangassou, Central African Republic, Feb. 14, 2021. 

Externalities of intervention: Part I

Critical State

In the 21st century, many UN peacekeeping mandates have included so-called “green goals,” benchmarks meant to prevent conflict by reducing resource competition and environmental degradation.

A crowd of people are shown next to a pickup truck with "Police" printed on the tail and several police officials standing in the bed of the truck.

Mali’s coup leader wrests back control of the government

Global Politics

Mali’s former coup leader Assimi Goita took control of the country again Tuesday after firing the president and prime minister of the transitional government following their announcement of a cabinet reshuffle without his permission.

A man wearing military uniform holds gun up in air in open truck with other men cheering

After military coup, uncertainty hangs over Mali’s future

Leaders

From the onset, the military junta has promised to pave the way to new elections. But some are concerned it might be trying to hold onto power in this transition.