Sahel region
What’s happening in Niger: inside the struggle for independence from French and Western neocolonialism

After expelling the French military, the people of Niger are fighting to overthrow the remaining colonial structures

People of Sahel inspire global movement against imperialism

From November 19-21, hundreds gathered in Niamey for the Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel and heard first hand from people who have been on the frontlines of the struggle against French colonialism.

Niger hosts historic conference on the fight against neocolonialism in the Sahel

Ahead of the “Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel” in Niamey, Peoples Dispatch brings forth stories of resilience and resistance of the people of Niger whose success in forcing their former colonizer France on the retreat has inspired Pan-African movements across the continent.

The Sahel seeks sovereignty

The last year has seen tremendous transformations in the Sahel region with popularly-backed military coups calling for an end to French colonialism as well as progressive electoral victories

La inadvertida muerte de los emigrantes en el desierto del Sáhara

Vijay Prashad informa sobre el último informe de la OIM sobre muertes de migrantes y las muertes no reportadas de migrantes que cruzan el Sahara

Niger and the Sahel are pushing back against insecurity, exploitation, and France

We take a look at the developments in Niger and the Sahel region a month after the coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The developments in Niger are reflective of a larger trend which has mounted a resistance to insecurity, exploitation, and French presence

Russia vetoes sanctions on Mali Russia vetoes resolution seeking extension of sanctions against Mali

Russia and the government of Mali had objected to the indefinite extension of sanctions as harmful for the political process to establish peace in the country. They had sought a provision whereby the sanctions regime would be wound up in August 2024

The people do not want war: mass protests continue in Niger against ECOWAS threats

The CNSP has proposed a three-year transition period for Niger as ECOWAS threatens increasingly-unpopular military action. Nigeriens have continued to take to the streets to demand the removal of foreign troops from their soil and for the lifting of “inhumane” sanctions

African Union will not back ECOWAS intervention in Niger

Niger’s popular military government has been consolidating domestic and regional support. Meanwhile, ECOWAS is beset by disunity and domestic opposition after threatening military intervention to restore the ousted Mohamed Bazoum with the backing of France and US 

What’s happening in Niger is far from a typical coup

The recent wave of coups in West Africa must be understood in the context of widespread discontent with the ruling elites and their collaboration with imperialism

West African people’s movements call for greater unity as France announces military ‘reorganization’

The West Africa Peoples Organisation has welcomed the proposal for greater collaboration between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, and has called for coordinating and planning production, trade, infrastructure, economic development, and defense

Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali agreement Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali propose strategic axis amid French military ouster

The three West African countries, all of whom have recently undergone military takeovers amid rising public anger against France, have agreed to a Bamako-Conakry -Ouagadougou axis, with enhanced cooperation on matters ranging from trade to the fight against insecurity