Benin

Cameroon

Chad

Niger

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Military & Security

Politics

Chad's interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby threatened to withdraw from the Multinational Joint Task Force, or MNJTF, due to what he described as a failure to combat insurgent groups in the Lake Chad region effectively, Reuters reported on Nov. 4.

Chad: President Threatens To Withdraw From Multinational Security Force

Burkina Faso

Cote d'Ivoire

Mali

Togo

Amadou Koufa, the leader of the Katiba Macina group within al Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), said that the group intends to expand its attacks and territorial control beyond its current focus on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger towards the littoral states along the Gulf of Guinea, according to email correspondence with a France24 journalist published Oct. 23.

Sahel: Top JNIM Leader Pledges to Expand into Littoral West African States

Businessman Olivier Boko, a close ally of Beninese President Patrice Talon, and former Sports Minister Oswald Homeky were arrested for allegedly planning a coup attempt for Sept. 27 by offering bribes to Republican Guard commander Col. Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre, Radio France Internationale reported on Sept. 29.

Benin: Government Reportedly Thwarts Coup Attempt Planned for Sept. 27

Economics

Energy

Niger resumed crude oil exports to Benin through the newly constructed, Chinese-funded 2,000 kilometer (1,243 mile) pipeline to the West African coast, following a months-long dispute that had paused operations, Reuters reported on Aug. 21.

Niger, Benin: Niger Resumes Oil Exports via Benin After Suspension 

France

Burkinabe junta leader Ibrahim Traore accused Cote d'Ivoire and Benin of attempting to destabilize Burkina Faso in coordination with France, Le Monde reported on July 11.

West Africa: Burkina Faso Accuses Cote d’Ivoire and Benin of Destabilization Attempts

An armed group opposed to the Niger junta, the Patriotic Liberation Front (FPL), has claimed responsibility for a June 16 attack on the nearly 2,000 km crude oil pipeline linking Niger's Agadem oil field to Benin's coast, Radio France Internationale reported June 18.

Niger: Armed Group Destroys Section of Oil Pipeline, Threatens More Attacks

Senegal

China

Niger issued an ultimatum to Benin to release five individuals detained by Beninese authorities after they entered the oil terminal of Seme, where the Niger-Benin pipeline terminates, Radio France Internationale reported on June 7.

Niger, Benin: Benin Arrests Five Nigeriens Attempting To Infiltrate Oil Terminal

Benin announced that it would "punctually and provisionally" authorize the loading of Nigerien crude oil at the terminal of Seme following a demand from Nigerien customs to participate in loading operations, Radio France Internationale reported on May 15.

Benin, Niger: Benin Temporarily Authorizes Nigerien Oil Exports Amid Chinese Mediation

Assessments

French soldiers of the Barkhane force patrol the streets of Timbuktu, Mali, on Dec. 5, 2021.

In the wake of Niger's coup, France will be compelled to revamp its security strategy in the Sahel and West Africa at large.

What the Niger Crisis Means for France's Counterterrorism Strategy in Africa

United States

Protesters hold placards denouncing ECOWAS on Aug. 3, 2023, in Niamey, Niger. While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

How Might an ECOWAS Military Intervention Take Shape in Niger?

Guinea Bissau

Tunisia

Indonesia

French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 17, 2022, in Brussels.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Jokowi Visits Beijing, Macron Visits Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Guinea

Sierra Leone

The Niger River Basin

Nigeria: Obstacles to Prosperity

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

The region's natural geographic advantages have sustained several empires throughout history. But they can't overcome its longstanding problems. 

The Niger River Basin: Supporting West Africa's Empires 

Media

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Graphics

Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

Delegates attend a plenary session at the U.N. climate change summit in Paris on Dec. 9.

The agreement signed Dec. 12 in Paris is just a small part of a broader energy transition driven by technological change.

Climate Agreement Will Only Hasten Transition Beyond Oil

Security

_Energy

Environmental Issues

Environment, Science & Technology

Burundi's Attempted Coup Offers Lessons

African leaders seeking controversial extra terms in office will need the full backing of their countries' militaries.

Burundi: What to Expect After the Coup Attempt

Political Misdirection in Nigeria

A presidential election has been delayed, but not for the reasons the government has given.

Nigeria Is at the Center of West Africa's Future Energy Plans

Abuja has access to the region's largest oil and natural gas reserves, but political obstacles have made it difficult to maximize its use of these resources.

Powering Africa's Economies: Prospects for Growth in Electricity Markets

Several significant power production projects are underway in Africa. In West Africa, however, national grids are poorly interconnected, limiting opportunities to optimize electricity distribution and trade.

Electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa

France, Africa: Paris Struggles to Retain Colonial Ties

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite strong efforts to maintain its historic bonds with its former colonies in Africa, France's position is far from guaranteed.

France Struggles to Retain Colonial Ties in Africa

Latest French Operations in Mali

French air assaults come as the jihadists break under the pressure of military operations.

SITUATION REPORTS

Chad: President Threatens To Withdraw From Multinational Security Force

Sahel: Top JNIM Leader Pledges to Expand into Littoral West African States

Benin: Government Reportedly Thwarts Coup Attempt Planned for Sept. 27

Niger, Benin: Niger Resumes Oil Exports via Benin After Suspension

West Africa: Burkina Faso Accuses Cote d’Ivoire and Benin of Destabilization Attempts

Niger: Armed Group Destroys Section of Oil Pipeline, Threatens More Attacks

Niger, Benin: Benin Arrests Five Nigeriens Attempting To Infiltrate Oil Terminal

Benin, Niger: Benin Temporarily Authorizes Nigerien Oil Exports Amid Chinese Mediation

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