[IFJ] The military junta in Mali arrested prominent journalist Youssouf Sissoko under the country's cybercrime law, following the publication of an article in L'Alternance on 2 February. The article challenged remarks made by Niger's junta leader, President Abdourahamane Tiani, who alleged that the presidents of France, Benin and the Ivory Coast supported the extremist groups that attacked Niamey's airport on 29 January.
[RFI] French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed suggestions of any planned intervention in Niger, firmly rejecting claims from the country's ruling junta that Paris is orchestrating destabilisation efforts.
[HRW] Nairobi -- Strengthen Civilian Protection, Accountability for Atrocities
[Premium Times] "We are happy that our trucks, which were trapped for months, can now move freely through Nigeria to their destinations," a Niger official said.
[Centre 4s] Following the disruption of their relations with the French and American militaries, Sahel countries have forged new partnerships to obtain satellite imagery. These tools--precious in the fight against terrorism and trafficking in drugs, weapons, gold, migrants, human beings, cigarettes, and fuel--are proliferating.
[Crisis Group] Nairobi/Brussels -- Africa is beset by trouble at home while grasping for options in dealing with today's jumbled global order. The challenges to peace and security are many. This briefing identifies seven that should top the agenda as African heads of state convene for an annual summit.
[HRW] Nairobi -- Investigate Indiscriminate Attack in Tillabéri Region; Compensate Victims, Families
[Daily Trust] The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service's commitment to strengthening border infrastructure operations and other trade
[CFR] Washington, DC -- Washington's latest diplomatic overtures to the three junta-led Sahelian states send the wrong message about U.S. tolerance of bad behavior in the region.
[allAfrica]
[Daily Trust] Heavy security was deployed around Niger's main airport on Thursday after overnight gunfire and explosions raised suspicions of a jihadist attack, but the ruling junta remained tight-lipped.
[RFI] Niger's military ruler, Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused the presidents of France, Benin and Cote d'Ivoire of sponsoring an attack on Niamey international airport.
[Agenzia Fides] Niamey -- On the night of January 28-29, Diori Hamani Airport in Niamey was attacked. According to local sources, heavy gunfire erupted around midnight at the airport after an unidentified armed group attacked the guard post. The fighting continued until 2:00 a.m. Anti-aircraft tracers were seen in the sky, presumably used to shoot down drones deployed by the attackers. Calm has now returned to the airport in Niger's capital. Located 10 km from the center of Niamey, the airport complex houses both the civilian
[IFJ] On 15 January the DW website published a report written by Tawasa about Nigerian refugees and migrants. The story published in the local Hausa dialect showed dozens of Nigerian migrants and refugees, including women and children, taking refuge in cemeteries and abandoned buildings in Niger. On 23 January, the journalist was arrested. The charges against him have not been disclosed.
[MFWA] Nigerien judicial authorities arrested and detained Gazali Abdou Tasawa, a correspondent for the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), on January 23, 2026, following a brief interrogation at a police station in Niamey.
[CPJ] Dakar -- The Committee to Protect Journalists urges authorities in Niger to release Gazali Abdou Tasawa, a correspondent for the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), who was arrested over a report on Nigerian refugees living by a cemetery.
[HRW] Junta's Sanctions on Fuel Transport Operators Raise Rights Concerns