Republic of Congo has requested a new funding program with the International Monetary Fund as the country continues to grapple with high debt and low growth.
Republic of Congo has requested a new funding program with the International Monetary Fund as the country continues to grapple with high debt and low growth.
Traffic on the Boulevard du Juin 30 highway in central Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. A leak of 3.5 million documents shows how a Chinese-run company moved millions of dollars to former Congo President Joseph Kabila’s family and allies. Photographer: Lisa Murray/Bloomberg
Senegalese lawmakers voted for an electoral code amendment that is widely seen as clearing the way for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to run in the next presidential election.
Senegalese lawmakers voted for an electoral code amendment that is widely seen as clearing the way for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to run in the next presidential election.
A vendor sells merchandise in support of Ousmane Sonko, Senegal's opposition leader, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, presidential candidate, outside the venue of a news conference in Dakar, Senegal, on Friday, March 15, 2024. Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye were released after lawmakers approved amnesty for crimes linked to political protests between 2021 and 2024.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sent back to parliament for reconsideration a set of electoral law amendments that may clear the way for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to run in the 2029 presidential election.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sent back to parliament for reconsideration a set of electoral law amendments that may clear the way for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to run in the 2029 presidential election.
Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Mali’s junta ruled out any negotiations with Islamist-militant groups and reaffirmed a hardline stance on security, as regional leaders warn that escalating violence in the Sahel region risks spreading.
Mali’s junta ruled out any negotiations with Islamist-militant groups and reaffirmed a hardline stance on security, as regional leaders warn that escalating violence in the Sahel region risks spreading.
A soldier stands next to a damaged Mi-24 helicopter at the former Africa Corps barracks at Camp 2 in Kidal on May 6,.
Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye warned that the ruling party he founded with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is at danger of collapse amid growing signs of a rift between the two leaders.
Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye warned that the ruling party he founded with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is at danger of collapse amid growing signs of a rift between the two leaders.
France urged its citizens to leave Mali “as soon as possible” as a separatist group vowed to expand its campaign to oust the nation’s military junta and Islamist militants renewed a threat to blockade the capital.
France urged its citizens to leave Mali “as soon as possible” as a separatist group vowed to expand its campaign to oust the nation’s military junta and Islamist militants renewed a threat to blockade the capital.
A general view shows traffic moving along a main road in Bamako on April 26, 2026. April 25, 2026's shock attacks, synchronised by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeted several areas in the vast arid country. Fighting resumed on April 26 in several areas, including Kita near Bamako, Kidal, Gao and Severe. Tuareg rebels meanwhile announced an agreement allowing Russian forces backing Mali's army to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which they claimed was "totally" under their control. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
Mali’s defense minister was killed in a suicide attack on his home on Saturday, during a coordinated assault by an al-Qaeda affiliate across several locations in the West African country.
Mali’s defense minister was killed in a suicide attack on his home on Saturday, during a coordinated assault by an al-Qaeda affiliate across several locations in the West African country.
Mali Minister of Defence Sadio Camara at the Bamex 25 Defence Expo in Bamako, Mali on Nov. 11, 2025.
Mali’s defense minister was killed in a suicide attack on his home during a coordinated assault by an al-Qaeda affiliate across several locations in the West African country.
Mali’s defense minister was killed in a suicide attack on his home during a coordinated assault by an al-Qaeda affiliate across several locations in the West African country.
Smoke rises above buildings as traffic passes the Africa Tower monument in Bamako on April 26. Source: -/AFP
Mali’s army said on Saturday it was battling coordinated armed attacks on military barracks in Bamako and several locations across the country, indicating a broader, multi-city offensive.
Mali’s army said on Saturday it was battling coordinated armed attacks on military barracks in Bamako and several locations across the country, indicating a broader, multi-city offensive.
An ariel view of Bamako, Mali, Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Francis Kéré’s design for the Goethe-Institut Dakar draws on the Burkinabé architect’s practice of using sustainable and climate-resilient local materials.
Francis Kéré’s design for the Goethe-Institut Dakar draws on the Burkinabé architect’s practice of using sustainable and climate-resilient local materials.
Russia is expanding its military logistics network in West Africa, using the port of Conakry in Guinea as a key transit hub for equipment bound for Mali, an investigation by The Sentry has found.
Russia is expanding its military logistics network in West Africa, using the port of Conakry in Guinea as a key transit hub for equipment bound for Mali, an investigation by The Sentry has found.
South African authorities arrested Kémi Séba, a French-born influencer who’s wanted by Benin in connection with an attempted coup in that country in December.
South African authorities arrested Kémi Séba, a French-born influencer who’s wanted by Benin in connection with an attempted coup in that country in December.
Beninese Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni secured a landslide victory in the West African nation’s presidential election, defeating his sole challenger in a race dominated by the ruling coalition.
Beninese Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni secured a landslide victory in the West African nation’s presidential election, defeating his sole challenger in a race dominated by the ruling coalition.
Presidential candidate Romuald Wadagni gives a speech during a campaign rally in Cotonou on April 10, 2026, ahead of Benin's presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2026. (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP via Getty Images)
Benin’s sole opposition presidential candidate has conceded defeat, acknowledging early results show a clear lead for Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni.
Benin’s sole opposition presidential candidate has conceded defeat, acknowledging early results show a clear lead for Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni.
Benin started tallying ballots on Sunday, with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni widely expected to secure an easy victory in his first bid for the nation’s presidency.
Benin started tallying ballots on Sunday, with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni widely expected to secure an easy victory in his first bid for the nation’s presidency.
Benin started tallying ballots on Sunday, with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni widely expected to secure an easy victory in his first bid for the nation’s presidency.
Benin started tallying ballots on Sunday, with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni widely expected to secure an easy victory in his first bid for the nation’s presidency.
Benin heads to the polls on Sunday with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni the heavy favorite to win his first bid for the West African nation’s highest office.
Benin heads to the polls on Sunday with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni the heavy favorite to win his first bid for the West African nation’s highest office.
With fuel prices surging as much as 81%, African governments are rolling out subsidies and cutting taxes to help cushion households from an increase in energy costs triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
With fuel prices surging as much as 81%, African governments are rolling out subsidies and cutting taxes to help cushion households from an increase in energy costs triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Motorists queue for fuel at a gas station in Pretoria, South Africa, on March 31. Photographer: WALDO SWIEGERS
Senegal raised 721 billion CFA francs ($1.3 billion) using derivatives to secure cheaper foreign-currency loans last year at a time when worries about its debt effectively closed international market access.
Senegal raised 721 billion CFA francs ($1.3 billion) using derivatives to secure cheaper foreign-currency loans last year at a time when worries about its debt effectively closed international market access.