Sahel Region

The regional economy is fragmented by sanctions, fuel crises, and new external partnerships. Mali is introducing fuel rationing, while Niger revokes licenses of firms refusing to transport fuel there. Concurrently, new economic ties are forming, such as China receiving its first Simandou ore shipment from Guinea and Egypt signing a trade MoU with Burkina Faso.

• 1Mali to introduce fuel rationing
• 1China-Guinea ties bear fruit as 1st Simandou ore shipment arrives
• 1Senegal faces harsh sanctions after withdrawal from Morocco match
• 1Rome-funded development cooperation project launched in Dakar
• 1Egypt, Burkina Faso sign MoU on trade, investment cooperation

Military juntas are intensifying political repression and managing diplomatic realignments. Burkina Faso's junta dissolved all political parties, while Guinea's Doumbouya was sworn in as president, cementing a transition from junta chief. Diplomatic activity is high, with France-Chad relations warming and a meeting planned between Deby and Macron.

• 4Burkina Faso’s junta dissolves all of country’s political parties, saying they cause divisions
• 2Trump nominates financial expert Kevin Warsh for Fed chair
• 2Guinea's Doumbouya is sworn in as president, cementing transition from junta chief to elected leader
• 1France-Chad relations warm amid Chad's regional difficulties
• 1CAF faces criticism over lenient sanctions for Morocco and Senegal

Security is deteriorating sharply due to major Islamist attacks and internal plots. Islamic State claimed a deadly attack on Niger's Niamey airport, which Niger's junta leader blamed on France and neighbors. In parallel, Burkina Faso foiled an assassination plot against Capt Ibrahim Traoré and jihadists destroyed fuel tankers in Mali.

• 13Gunfire and explosions heard near airport in Niger's capital
• 3Burkina Faso's Sandaogo Damiba: Ex-president accused of murder plot expelled from Togo
• 2Islamic State claims attack on Niger's Niamey airport
• 2'They bark, we roar': Niger’s junta leader accuses France and neighbours of airport siege
• 2Terrorists kill four, set shops ablaze in Niger

Society is dominated by the fallout from major sports sanctions against Senegal, overshadowing other developments. The Confederation of African Football imposed heavy sanctions on Senegal and Morocco after the AFCON final, following earlier FIFA condemnation. This issue has generated sustained public and official attention, marginalizing other events like a plastic waste initiative in Mali.

• 3CAF imposes heavy sanctions on Senegal and Morocco after AFCON final
• 2Senegal team faces harsh sanctions after FIFA condemns unacceptable scenes
• 1World creeps closer to eradicating human Guinea worm cases, with just 10 last year: Carter Center
• 1Senegal coach explains walk-off before possible sanction
• 1Senegal's Prime Minister asks Diouf: Where is the towel?