Latest Burkina Faso News
Burkina Faso’s junta says its intelligence and security services have foiled a coup attempt
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Burkina Faso’s military government said Wednesday its intelligence and security services had thwarted a coup attempt and were actively pursuing others believed involved in what it called a bid to “throw our country into chaos.” A junta statement said the...
More than 50 security forces killed by jihadis in Burkina Faso, as violence inches closer to capital
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — More than 50 security forces were killed and dozens wounded during intense fighting with jihadis in northern Burkina Faso, the army said Tuesday. Seventeen soldiers and three dozen volunteer fighters, who assist the military, were killed in Koumbri commune in...
Norway will close its embassy in Mali, citing the security situation
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway announced Thursday that it will close its embassy in Mali, saying the withdrawal of a U.N. peacekeeping force from the West African nation “will have consequences for the security of Norwegian and other diplomatic missions and international organizations.” ...
Niger’s junta seeks to strengthen its grip on power and prepare for possible regional intervention
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The mutinous soldiers who overthrew democratically elected Niger President Mohamed Bazoum announced a raft of measures over the weekend that analysts say are aimed at strengthening their grip on power while preparing to defend against any military attempt by regional leaders...
US warns military takeovers in Africa's Sahel hamper fight against terrorism in the volatile region
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States warned Friday that the string of military takeovers in Africa’s Sahel region will hamper the fight against terrorism and demanded that Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers deny safe haven to terrorist groups including al-Qaida and the Islamic State. ...
Romanian hostage freed from Burkina Faso after 8 years in captivity, Romania's foreign ministry says
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A Romanian citizen who was abducted in northeast Burkina Faso in 2015 where he was working at a mine, was released Wednesday, Romania's foreign ministry said. Iulian Ghergut, who was 39 years old when a militant group linked to al-Qaida captured him at a mine...
West Africa defense chiefs finalize Niger intervention plan as junta negotiations deadlock
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Defense chiefs from West African nations finalized an intervention plan Friday and urged militaries to ready resources after negotiations deadlocked with Niger’s military junta, which says it is severing military agreements with France, its former colonial ruler. ...
Some of Niger's neighbors defend the coup there, even hinting at war. It's a warning for Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Not everyone is hostile to the coups in Niger and other African nations in the past few years that have worried the West. In the “family photo” for last week’s Russia-Africa Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin stood next to Ibrahim Traore, the young military...
The coup in Niger will only embolden extremists, says a former jihadi fighter
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — The coup in Niger could boost the ability of Islamic extremists to recruit in the country, potentially increasing violence and further threatening the stability of Africa's Sahel region, a former jihadi fighter said in an interview with The Associated Press. ...
Niger adds to growing list of countries in the Sahel run by the military
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Mutinous soldiers in Niger this week overthrew the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum, adding to a growing list of military regimes in West Africa’s Sahel region and raising fears of regional destabilization. The Sahel, the vast...
