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.

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

Wagner Group blamed for civilian slaughter in Mali

Wagner Group blamed for civilian slaughter in Mali
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

Trust the process: Part II
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

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

Musician Weedie Braimah lets the djembe speak for itself
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

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.

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

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.

Aukus security pact sparks Chinese and French ire
Moroccan UN peacekeepers wearing blue helmets patrol a rich soil road Bangassou, Central African Republic, Feb. 14, 2021. 

Externalities of intervention: Part I

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.

Externalities of intervention: Part I
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

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.

Mali's coup leader wrests back control of the government
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

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.

After military coup, uncertainty hangs over Mali’s future
A large crowd of people are shown with their hands in the air cheering a group of armed soldiers in a car.

Soldiers who led Mali coup promise new elections; EU steps up pressure on Lukashenko; Autobahn crashes possible terrorist attack

The Malian soldiers who led a coup ousting President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on Tuesday have promised to hold new elections and a transition to civil political rule. And, the European Union stepped up pressure on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday by announcing support for the ongoing protests in the country. Also, prosecutors in Germany are investigating a series of crashes on the Berlin autobahn as a possible terrorist attack.

Soldiers who led Mali coup promise new elections; EU steps up pressure on Lukashenko; Autobahn crashes possible terrorist attack
A group of demonstrators are shown with one man carrying a placard and flag.

Mali soldiers promise election as region seeks way out of coup crisis

Soldiers who ousted Mali's president and government in a military coup promised on Wednesday to oversee elections within a "reasonable" time, as calls from abroad grew for a peaceful resolution to an acute political crisis.

Mali soldiers promise election as region seeks way out of coup crisis
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

In recent years, Mali has experienced a combination of security challenges, including growing violence from armed militias and terrorist groups that has displaced more than a million people in the Sahel region, and killed thousands, including Malian and foreign troops.

Protesters in Mali call for president to step down
a man wearing glasses and a hat sits behind a microphone

Teju Cole on Malian Music: 'It is ancient, majestic, but it is also utterly contemporary'

Author and photographer Teju Cole speaks to host Marco Werman about Malian musical tradition.

Teju Cole on Malian Music: 'It is ancient, majestic, but it is also utterly contemporary'
Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara is shown in a bright blue and white dress standing in the desert.

Fatoumata Diawara’s latest single ‘Bonya’ will inspire you to jump around the room

Malian musician Fatoumata Diawara has a new video out for her latest single, “Bonya.” The lively track, from her recently released second solo album, asks listeners to show respect to others.

Fatoumata Diawara’s latest single ‘Bonya’ will inspire you to jump around the room