France seeks strategy change to reduce troops in West Africa

PARIS (AP) — As it pays tribute Thursday to French soldiers killed in Mali and faces questions over a deadly airstrike, France is considering changing its military strategy against Islamic extremists in Africa’s Sahel region — and a possible partial troop pullout. President Emmanuel Macron is...

Jihadists in Niger kill at least 100 in mounting violence

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — More than 100 civilians were killed in Niger over the weekend by extremists who attacked two villages, as insurgent violence mounts in the West African nation. The attacks on the western villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye took place on the same day that Niger announced that...

Students in Burkina Faso fear extremists more than COVID-19

DORI, Burkina Faso (AP) — Balkissa Barro’s been waiting for months to go back to school, but now that she has, the 10-year-old fears classes might once again stop. Children returning to school in Burkina Faso’s volatile Sahel region have to practice safety drills to prepare for potential...

Burkina Faso president Roch Marc Christian Kabore re-elected

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Roch Marc Christian Kabore will serve another five years as Burkina Faso’s president, according to provisional results announced by the National Independent Electoral Commission on Thursday. Kabore won with nearly 58% of the vote, beating 12 opponents and claiming...