In coup-hit West Africa, regional leaders recognize Niger's junta but seek fast return to democracy

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — West African heads of state on Sunday officially recognized the junta in power in Niger, but said their sanctions to reverse the July coup in the country would remain even as they initiate steps for a “short” period of transition to civilian rule. A team...

Dengue fever is on the rise in Mali with more than 20 deaths, health director says

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Authorities say dengue fever is on the rise in Mali, posing a new threat to the West African nation struggling with extremist attacks and political turbulence. The director general of health and public hygiene, Dr. Cheick Amadou Tidiane Traore, told The...

Burkina Faso's state media says hundreds of rebels have been killed trying to seize vulnerable town

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Hundreds of rebels were killed as they tried to seize a town in northern Burkina Faso on Sunday, the state broadcaster reported, in one of the largest clashes in recent years in the West African nation under threat from fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State. ...

An abducted German priest is freed in Mali, a year after being seized in the country's capital

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A German priest who was abducted by al-Qaida-linked rebels in Mali's capital in November 2022 has been released by his captors, a former colleague told The Associated Press on Monday. Church members in the capital of Bamako learned of the release of Rev....

A newly formed alliance between coup-hit countries in Africa’s Sahel is seen as tool for legitimacy

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Three West African nations led by military juntas met this week to strengthen a newly formed alliance described by some analysts on Friday as an attempt to legitimize their military governments amid coup-related sanctions and strained relations with neighbors. ...

Mali's leader says military has seized control of a rebel stronghold in the country's north

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's military has seized control of the northern town of Kidal, marking the first time the army has held the Tuareg rebel stronghold in nearly a decade, state broadcaster ORTM reported Tuesday. Mohamed Maouloud Ramadan, a rebel spokesman based in neighboring...

Mali's leader says the military has seized control of the rebel stronghold town of Kidal after nearly a decade

Suspected Islamic extremists holding about 30 ethnic Dogon men hostage after bus raid, leader says

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Suspected Islamic extremists are holding about 30 men from the Dogon ethnic group hostage after ambushing several public transport buses in central Mali earlier this week, a community leader said Friday. Bocar Guindo said that armed men initially kidnapped about...

Kidal mayor says 14 people dead in northern Mali after series of drone strikes near rebel stronghold

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A series of drone strikes around the town of Kidal in northern Mali have killed at least 14 people in the rebel stronghold, the town's mayor said Tuesday. Kidal Mayor Arbakane Ag Abzayack told The Associated Press that the town's deputy mayor and a local...

Rights groups report widespread war crimes across Africa’s Sahel region with communities under siege

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Security forces and armed groups are committing war crimes against civilians in Africa's Sahel region, where extremists and rebels are increasingly fighting to exert dominance and control resources in communities, according to new reports from two rights groups. ...