Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Leave ECOWAS
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions stemming from military coups in each nation. This decision comes despite ECOWAS offering to keep its doors open.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Leave ECOWAS
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions stemming from military coups in each nation. This decision comes despite ECOWAS offering to keep its doors open.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Sahel Countries Officially Withdraw from ECOWAS
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally withdrew from ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, a year after announcing their intention following accusations of unfair sanctions and the formation of the Sahel States Alliance.
Sahel Countries Officially Withdraw from ECOWAS
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally withdrew from ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, a year after announcing their intention following accusations of unfair sanctions and the formation of the Sahel States Alliance.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Chicago Residents Sentenced in \$3.5 Million Romance Scam
Three Chicago-area residents were sentenced for their roles in a romance scam network that defrauded victims of over \$3.5 million; sentences ranged from probation to 20 years in prison, highlighting the use of money mules and the devastating impact on victims.
Chicago Residents Sentenced in \$3.5 Million Romance Scam
Three Chicago-area residents were sentenced for their roles in a romance scam network that defrauded victims of over \$3.5 million; sentences ranged from probation to 20 years in prison, highlighting the use of money mules and the devastating impact on victims.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Ghana and Mali Strengthen Ties to Counter Jihadist Threat
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga met in Accra on January 16th to discuss strengthening bilateral ties to counter the growing jihadist threat and instability in West Africa, with discussions including increased security cooperation and support for Mali'...
Ghana and Mali Strengthen Ties to Counter Jihadist Threat
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga met in Accra on January 16th to discuss strengthening bilateral ties to counter the growing jihadist threat and instability in West Africa, with discussions including increased security cooperation and support for Mali'...
Progress
32% Bias Score
Mali Gold Seizure Halts Barrick Operations Amid Tax Dispute
Mali's military junta seized US$245 million worth of gold from Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mine, prompting Barrick to temporarily suspend operations due to an escalating tax dispute and the arrests of its employees; this reflects broader resource nationalism and political instability in the region...
Mali Gold Seizure Halts Barrick Operations Amid Tax Dispute
Mali's military junta seized US$245 million worth of gold from Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mine, prompting Barrick to temporarily suspend operations due to an escalating tax dispute and the arrests of its employees; this reflects broader resource nationalism and political instability in the region...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Mahama Sworn In as Ghana's President Amidst Economic Crisis
John Mahama was sworn in as Ghana's president on Tuesday for a third term, promising to tackle the country's worst economic crisis in a generation, corruption and unemployment, following a largely peaceful election.
Mahama Sworn In as Ghana's President Amidst Economic Crisis
John Mahama was sworn in as Ghana's president on Tuesday for a third term, promising to tackle the country's worst economic crisis in a generation, corruption and unemployment, following a largely peaceful election.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Sahel States Leave ECOWAS Amidst Tensions
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday, reducing the bloc's size and population significantly; the move follows coups in these nations and sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, amidst accusations of insufficient representatio...
Sahel States Leave ECOWAS Amidst Tensions
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday, reducing the bloc's size and population significantly; the move follows coups in these nations and sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, amidst accusations of insufficient representatio...
Progress
36% Bias Score
Sharp Drop in Cocaine Seizures in European Ports Amidst Record Production
Cocaine seizures in Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Vlissingen dropped by over 50% in 2024 to 82,500 kilos, due to smugglers shifting routes to West Africa and employing new methods to hide smaller amounts of drugs, while cocaine production reached a record high of four million kilos in 2023.
Sharp Drop in Cocaine Seizures in European Ports Amidst Record Production
Cocaine seizures in Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Vlissingen dropped by over 50% in 2024 to 82,500 kilos, due to smugglers shifting routes to West Africa and employing new methods to hide smaller amounts of drugs, while cocaine production reached a record high of four million kilos in 2023.
Progress
36% Bias Score
40+ Pakistanis Feared Dead in West Africa Migrant Boat Capsizing
A boat carrying approximately 80 migrants, including at least 44 Pakistanis, capsized near Dakhla, Morocco, resulting in at least 40 presumed deaths, highlighting the dangers of human trafficking and irregular migration.
40+ Pakistanis Feared Dead in West Africa Migrant Boat Capsizing
A boat carrying approximately 80 migrants, including at least 44 Pakistanis, capsized near Dakhla, Morocco, resulting in at least 40 presumed deaths, highlighting the dangers of human trafficking and irregular migration.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Guinea Opposition Withdraws from Parliament Amid Junta's Delayed Transition
Guinea's main opposition coalition withdrew from the National Transitional Council after the ruling junta missed a December 31, 2024 deadline for a return to democratic rule, prompting protests and escalating tensions.
Guinea Opposition Withdraws from Parliament Amid Junta's Delayed Transition
Guinea's main opposition coalition withdrew from the National Transitional Council after the ruling junta missed a December 31, 2024 deadline for a return to democratic rule, prompting protests and escalating tensions.
Progress
44% Bias Score
28 Beninese Soldiers Killed in Jihadist Attack
A jihadist attack in northern Benin on January 8th, 2024, killed 28 soldiers near the border with Niger and Burkina Faso, bringing the total number of Beninese soldiers killed since 2021 to 121, highlighting the escalating threat from terrorist groups in the region.
28 Beninese Soldiers Killed in Jihadist Attack
A jihadist attack in northern Benin on January 8th, 2024, killed 28 soldiers near the border with Niger and Burkina Faso, bringing the total number of Beninese soldiers killed since 2021 to 121, highlighting the escalating threat from terrorist groups in the region.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Burkina Faso's Displacement Crisis: A Contradiction of Government Claims
Over 2.5 million people are displaced in Burkina Faso due to extremist violence, contradicting the government's claims of improved security; many in Ouagadougou face discrimination and lack support, while the government restricts international aid and suppresses dissent.
Burkina Faso's Displacement Crisis: A Contradiction of Government Claims
Over 2.5 million people are displaced in Burkina Faso due to extremist violence, contradicting the government's claims of improved security; many in Ouagadougou face discrimination and lack support, while the government restricts international aid and suppresses dissent.
Progress
48% Bias Score