World Dec 15 West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 member nations hit by coups In a first in the 15-nation bloc’s nearly 50 years of existence, the military juntas of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced in January that they decided to leave ECOWAS, accusing it of “inhumane and irresponsible” coup-related sanctions and of… By Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press
World Nov 20 Spain to allow for thousands of migrants in country illegally to earn residency and work permits Spain will grant residency and work permits each year for the next three years to about 300,000 migrants who are in the country illegally. By Suman Naishadham, Associated Press
World Jan 28 Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso withdraw from West Africa bloc over sanctions to reverse coups West African nations Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have withdrawn from the regional economic bloc known as ECOWAS, their respective juntas announced Sunday. They accused the bloc of “inhumane” sanctions to reverse the coups in their nations. By Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press
World Dec 11 The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali ends after 10 years, following the junta’s pressure to go The U.N. effort in Mali has been the deadliest peacekeeping mission in the world, with more than 300 personnel killed. By Baba Ahmed, Associated Press
Oct 17 U.N. peacekeepers in Mali withdraw from two bases in the north as fighting intensifies By Baba Ahmed, Associated Press The United Nations says its peacekeepers have started departing from two bases in northern Mali as part of a forced withdrawal from the country and amid increasing insecurity. Continue reading
Sep 08 Mali military camp attacked a day after al-Qaida-linked assault kills 49 civilians and 15 soldiers By Baba Ahmed, Associated Press A military camp in Mali's restive north has been attacked a day after two separate assaults by al-Qaida-linked insurgents killed 49 civilians and 15 government soldiers. Continue reading
Aug 26 Watch 6:51 Why West African nations are seeing a spate of military coups By Ali Rogin, Harry Zahn In recent years, several West African nations have seen the military seize control of the government. While there are unifying factors running through these coups, looking at each case individually helps explain what’s going on. Ali Rogin speaks with Kamissa… Continue watching
Jun 10 Attack in northern Mali kills UN peacekeeper, seriously injures 8 By Associated Press The peacekeepers, all from Burkina Faso, were part of a security patrol that was targeted first by an improvised explosive device and then by direct small arms fire seven kilometers from their base in the town of Ber, U.N. spokesman… Continue reading
Jul 15 Egypt will withdraw peacekeeping troops from Mali, U.N. says By Baba Ahmed, Associated Press The United Nations mission in Mali says that Egypt will withdraw its troops from the West African county by mid-August, citing deadly attacks against its peacekeepers. Continue reading