Sahel Region in January 2026: the most important developments in politics
In the Sahel region in January 2026, the government of Burkina Faso dissolved all political parties, saying they cause divisions; the decision was announced on 29 January. Earlier in the month the president formed a new government with fewer ministries, and on 20 January Togo arrested and deported a former Burkina Faso president.
In Guinea, Mamady Doumbouya was declared winner of the presidential election, the first vote since the 2021 coup, and the Supreme Court confirmed the result in early January. He was sworn in as president on 17 January, and on 22 January the African Union said it was lifting sanctions against Guinea. In Guinea-Bissau, the military government scheduled an election.
Senegal filed a complaint over its treatment in Morocco during the Africa Cup of Nations; on 22 January the two countries sought reconciliation, and Senegal's prime minister visited Morocco on 24 January. The Confederation of African Football faced criticism over lenient sanctions for Morocco and Senegal. Deby and Macron were to meet in Paris to mend relations between Chad and France. The United States expanded a visa policy with a financial guarantee to 13 mostly African nations.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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