Explained | Does the coup in Niger point to a wider pattern in the Sahel?

Explained | Does the coup in Niger point to a wider pattern in the Sahel?

The story so far: Amping up pressure on Niger’s mutinous military junta on Saturday, July 29, the African Union demanded the country’s military “return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority” within 15 days. The European Union also announced the suspension of security and funding cooperation with Niger, declaring that the 27-country bloc would not … Read more

African nation Mali comes to India. Shares indigenous music and dance traditions in Raipur!

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They are able to create a mesmerizing and elevating symphony through their captivating and powerful music. (Image Credit: Indian Embassy in Mali) Cheickne Sissoko 5Tamans, a cultural troupe of Mali specializing in Mali’s centuries-old traditional music and dance, participated in the 2nd National Tribal Dance Festival 2021. This festival was held at Raipur, capital of … Read more

Turkey joins Pakistan in FATF Grey list in a double blow for Islamabad

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The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has retained kept Pakistan on its grey list and added its ally Turkey to the list, in a double blow for Islamabad which depended on Ankara’s support to avoid entry into the blacklist earlier. Jordan and Mali were also added to the grey list. FATF denied that it acted … Read more

As France plans to shrink Sahel force, jihadi threat grows

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During a gruelling, weeks-long mission in northern Mali, French soldiers were confronted by a familiar threat: Extremists trying to impose the same strict Islamic rule that preceded France‘s military intervention here more than eight years ago. Traumatized residents showed scars on their shoulders and backs from whippings they endured after failing to submit to the … Read more

France threatens to pull troops out of Mali

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President Emmanuel Macron warned in comments published Sunday that France will pull its troops out of Mali if it lurches towards radical Islamism following the second coup in nine months. France has around 5,100 troops in the region under its so-called Barkhane operation which spans five countries in the Sahel — Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, … Read more

Elite European anti-jihadist force takes first steps in Sahel

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GAO, MALI: Inside a military base in northern Mali, a concrete bollard emblazoned with French, Estonian and Swedish flags marks a zone reserved for a new anti-jihadist unit of elite European troops. Dubbed Task Force Takuba, the new joint deployment marks a coup for France, which has sought partners in its long fight against Islamist … Read more