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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.

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
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
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
A huge crowd of protesters in Mali with one person raises his arms high in the air

Protesters in Mali call for president to step down

Protest

Songhoy Blues: Music in Exile

Arts, Culture & Media

In Northern Mali, Islamic extremists drove musicians from their homes in a movement against art. But a band that formed in exile made amazing music anyway. 

Amadou and Mariam

Live in studio: Amadou & Mariam (& Kurt)

Arts

The Grammy-nominated musical duo Amadou & Mariam performs live in Studio 360.

Songhoy Blues

Mali’s Songhoy Blues are making music in exile

Music

They left northern Mali because music was banned by Islamic extremists. Now Songhoy Blues is bringing their flavor of desert blues to the world.

Anansy Cissé: Mali Overdrive and Free Download of “Aïgouna”

Anansy Cissé is one of Bamako’s hottest young guitar talents. So we’re very happy to be able to give out a free download of “Aïgouna,” one of the highlights of his new record Mali Overdrive.  Cissé started his career behind … Read more »

Mysterious Malian Velvet Underground Cover

One of the more mysterious and exciting tracks that we have come across lately is “Naked Venus,” the new single by a Malian band called Black Mango. Little information exists about the identity of the band members or how exactly … Read more »