Burkina Faso releases four French nationals after detaining them for a year

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso's junta-led government said Thursday that it had released four French nationals it called spies, following Morocco-mediated negotiations with France. The West African nation's information agency said in a statement that Capt. Ibrahim...

Niger junta suspends BBC accusing it of 'spreading false news' in coverage of attack

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Niger's ruling junta suspended the BBC for three months over the broadcaster's coverage of an extremist attack that allegedly killed dozens of Nigerien soldiers and civilians, authorities said Thursday. “BBC broadcasts false information aimed at...

Burkina Faso junta appoints new prime minister

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta appointed a new prime minister, a day after dissolving the government without providing any reason. Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, until now communications minister and spokesperson of the government, will...

Burkina Faso's military junta sacks the prime minister and dissolves the government

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta issued a decree Friday dismissing Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and announcing the dissolution of the national government. The military's leader, Ibrahim Traore, said officials in the...

Burkina Faso's ruling military junta has issued a decree sacking the prime minister and dissolving the government

Panic among spectators at soccer game kills at least 56 in the West African nation of Guinea

CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Chaos erupted at a soccer game in Guinea after fans protested a referee’s call and thousands of panicked spectators tried to flee the stadium, leaving at least 56 people dead in the West African nation, officials and witnesses said Monday. Amid the...

Mali arrests top politician for criticizing Burkina Faso's ruling junta

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's ruling junta arrested one of the country's top politicians Wednesday for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso, according to his son and a judiciary source. Issa Kaou N’Djim, who previously supported Mali's current military leader...

Mali cuts TV news station's signal over broadcast criticizing Burkina Faso's ruling junta

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali’s ruling junta cut the signal of the popular news broadcaster Joliba TV News after a prominent politician criticized the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso during a televised debate, a journalist for the channel said Tuesday. “This morning, the...

Theater festival offers solace in Burkina Faso, a nation torn by violence

OUGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — The last three years have been tough for Fanta Charlotte Dabone, a mother of three from the conflict-battered West African country of Burkina Faso. She fled her village after it was attacked by extremists, leaving her husband and her farm behind....

Burkina Faso put civilians at 'unnecessary risk' during militant attack, rights group says

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Burkina Faso's government unnecessarily exposed civilians to danger during a militant attack earlier this year, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday. In August, at least 100 villagers were killed by fighters from a militant group linked to...