Audio By Vocalize Suspected jihadists have killed at least 25 people in coordinated attacks on five villages in central Mali, local and administrative sources told AFP Friday. …
Iran to play Mali in second pre-World Cup friendly in Turkey By AFP May 21, 2026 07:00 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter ADEM ALTAN / AFP Photo by ADEM ALTAN / AFP Three Iranian national football team players …
… in April -- the first such visit in 24 years -- one of the main aims was to counter Russia's rapprochement with the west African coastal country.France's position is not helped by the fact that Togo continues to cultivate good relations with regional neighbours Burkina Faso, Mali …
… The development comes at a time when several Sahel nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, have expelled French military forces over sovereignty concerns and opposition to foreign military influence. …
… istance, an area in which they have experienced mixed results.Most notably, France’s counterterrorism efforts across five countries in the Sahel, Operation Barkhane, ended somewhat ignominiously in 2022, when it was finally asked to leave by the junta who were by then ruling Mali …
… French troops withdrew from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in 2022 and 2023 after military juntas in these countries severed defence agreements with the former colonial power. …
… The military leaders who have seized power in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – all former French colonies – have expelled French troops who were helping in the fight against an Islamist insurgency in the region and instead turned towards Russia for assistance. …
… It is also the first to be held since the dramatic collapse of relations between France and several West African countries, notably Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. …
… Central to transforming Africa's fortunes should be an overhaul of international finance, to set up a system of financial guarantees to bring in private investment, he added.France withdrew its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger after the military in each country seized pow …
A Timbuktu Institute study found that generative AI is increasingly being used to "amplify and accelerate" existing faultlines in Mali's security crisis, with conflict factions mastering the technology to varying degrees and the country serving as an "open-air laboratory" for AI's use in warfare.
A Timbuktu Institute study found that generative AI is increasingly being used to "amplify and accelerate" existing faultlines in Mali's security crisis, with conflict factions mastering the technology to varying degrees and the country serving as an "open-air laboratory" for AI's use in warfare.
Kenya's Malkia Strikers were defeated 3-0 by Egypt in the final of the 2026 CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship at Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, ending Kenya's bid for an 11th African title and denying them the automatic qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Ministers from eight African countries have committed to scaling proven livestock innovations and strengthening value chains to reduce the continent's $70–$100 billion annual food import bill, despite Africa holding about a fifth of the world's cattle and producing only about five per cent of global milk.
Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps played a decisive role in helping Niger's military government suppress a mutiny over the weekend in the capital Niamey, exposing the junta's dependence on Moscow at odds with its stated goal of reclaiming national sovereignty from foreign powers.
Russia's African Corps assisted Niger in repelling an attempted coup on Saturday that involved explosions and gunfire at military and presidential sites in Niamey; authorities said the rebellion was contained and the situation is under control of President Gen Abdourahmane Tiani.
Defending champions Malkia Strikers defeated Nigeria 3-0 in straight sets (25-21, 25-17, 25-15) in the Round of 16 of the 2026 CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship at Kasarani Indoor Arena, advancing to the quarter-finals.
Kenya's Malkia Strikers, unbeaten in group play, face Nigeria in a Round of 16 match at the 2026 CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship; victory advances them to the quarter-finals, while defeat ends their campaign.
Kenya's defending champion Malkia Strikers swept Nigeria 3-0 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship, maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament.
Malkia Strikers, holders and unbeaten through Pool A, face Nigeria in a Round of 16 knockout match at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Saturday at 7pm. Kenya is pursuing a record-extending 11th continental title and direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Renowned Malian musician Salif Keïta has withdrawn from his scheduled performance at South Africa's Mangaung African Cultural Festival, citing protest against rising xenophobic intimidation and violence targeting African migrants in the country. The 77-year-old artist, who performed during the anti-apartheid struggle, said the treatment of migrants conflicts with Nelson Mandela's legacy.
Kenya's defending champion Malkia Strikers defeated Mali 25-17, 25-10 and 25-18 at the CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship, maintaining their perfect record in Group A as the tournament moves into the knockout phase.
Defending champions Kenya's Malkia Strikers swept Mali 3-0 at the CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship at Kasarani Indoor Arena to maintain an unbeaten record in Group A.
Egypt defeated Senegal 25-12, 25-10, 25-8 in Nairobi to maintain their unbeaten start at the Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship, while Uganda also secured a second straight-sets victory over Burkina Faso 25-14, 25-13, 25-18.
Kenya's women's volleyball team opened the 2026 CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship with a 3-0 victory over Zambia and is calling on fans to fill Kasarani Indoor Arena as they defend their continental crown and pursue 2028 Olympic qualification.
Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2028, which would be its first since 1976. The bid faces obstacles including ongoing insurgencies in Amhara and Oromia states and threats of renewed civil war with the Tigray region.
Jihadists killed and kidnapped scores of people during Friday prayers in central Nigeria's Niger state, according to survivors and lawmakers. The attack occurred near the western border with Benin, an area experiencing increased activity by local armed groups and militants from the Sahel.
Malawi, the lowest-ranked of 16 tournament qualifiers, advanced to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after losing 2-1 to Zambia in Rabat on Wednesday, finishing first in Group C alongside Nigeria and Zambia on six points. Nigeria also qualified by defeating Egypt 6-2, and the two will face Ghana or Mali and Cameroon respectively in the quarter-finals.
Cameroon became the first qualifiers for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after defeating Ghana 1-0 on Sunday, securing six points in Group D. Mali's 3-2 victory over Cape Verde means Cameroon is guaranteed a top-two finish regardless of their final group match.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—three countries led by military governments—are bidding jointly to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, following a meeting between officials and CAF president Patrice Motsepe in New York.
Kenya is renovating the Kasarani Indoor Arena and Ulinzi Sports Complex to host the 2026 Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship from August 23 to September 5 in Nairobi, the first time since 2015. The tournament will feature 16 teams and serve as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIVB Women's World Championship and 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigerian women are being trafficked along West African migrant routes to Europe through deception—promised legitimate jobs abroad but forced into prostitution and trapped by debt and superstitious "juju" curses. Many face family rejection upon return because they stop sending remittances home.
Three West African countries led by military governments met with the Confederation of African Football president to advance their joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a pivotal stage in the bidding process under CAF regulations.
Kenya's women's football team left Wednesday for a week-long training camp in Miramas, France, to prepare for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Head coach Beldine Odemba said the squad is in good form and the French camp will help them acclimatize to conditions similar to those in Morocco.
Mali's army and Russian paramilitary Africa Corps forces regained control of the northern town of Anefis after fighting against Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists and Tuareg separatists for nearly a week. Reinforcements arrived Thursday evening and retook the town, located about 100 kilometres from the rebel-controlled city of Kidal.
Harambee Starlets forward Mwanahalima Adam, who missed the 2016 WAFCON while sitting her KCSE exams, is looking forward to the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco (25 July – 16 August 2026). Kenya qualified for the tournament after Dogo scored in a 1-0 win against Gambia in October 2025.
Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM jihadists and Tuareg FLA separatists launched coordinated assaults across Mali on Saturday, targeting key northern and central towns as well as a major prison south of the capital, demonstrating the junta's difficulty in controlling the vast Sahel nation.
Following a major offensive two months prior, Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM jihadists and Tuareg FLA separatists carried out coordinated assaults across Mali on Saturday, attacking key towns in the north and centre and one of the country's largest prisons south of the capital. The attacks demonstrate the junta's difficulty in controlling the vast Sahel nation and suggest it is increasingly threatened and isolated in Bamako and the garrison stronghold of Kati.
A former African Union civil society leader has challenged the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions across Africa, arguing that MINUSCA's failure to prevent a planned attack on Am-Dafok in the Central African Republic undermines the rationale for these operations despite their mandates, resources, and years of deployment.
Jihadists and separatist Tuareg rebels launched coordinated attacks across Mali on Saturday, striking multiple northern and central towns and a prison near the capital. The attacks came two months after a similar operation in which the country's defence minister was killed.
Nigeria's defence minister said the country is expanding military cooperation with Benin and Niger to counter jihadist groups from the Sahel region encroaching on Nigeria's northwest, including groups like JNIM attempting to infiltrate through Benin into Nigeria.