The Latest Breaking News from Sahel

Group affiliated with al-Qaida target army base and Timbuktu river boat as violence surges in region

Moscow aiming to increase influence in Africa, winning lucrative contracts and gaining access to key resources

From securing resources to destabilising western influence, the mercenary group’s activities hang in the balance, says writer Dino Mahtani

Niger has been hit by multiple jihadist attacks since its president was overthrown last month, but observers caution against concluding that a long-running insurgency is shifting into higher gear as post-coup uncertainty mounts.

Algeria has engaged in a diplomatic tour of three Ecowas countries in a bid to broker a diplomatic solution to resolve the crises across the Sahel, and avoid military intervention in Niger.

The Niger coup – the fifth in the Sahel and sixth in the broader west Africa region in three years – has pushed the region further into political unrest and insecurity.

The leader of mutinous soldiers who ousted Niger's democratically elected president said Saturday night that they will return the country to civilian rule within three years.

West African army chiefs discuss possible military intervention in Niger if diplomacy fails. ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah says most of bloc's 15 member states ready to participate in standby force. Last resort if diplomacy fails, to further destabilise Sahel region.

As Ecowas chiefs prepare to meet to discuss possible action against junta, civic group says ‘we need to be ready’

Analysts says key figures in new regime were underestimated as elected president remains confined to residence

AS a foreign affairs journalist I’m often asked one particular question whenever some far-off crisis flares up. Usually the refrain goes something…