
The General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces announced that the Malian Armed Forces FAMa, in coordination with their partners, have taken full control of Anéfis. This action is part of ongoing sweep operations against armed terrorist groups affiliated with JNIM and FLA. The operations, conducted on July 10 and 11, 2026, aim to secure the area and neutralize these groups. The General Staff reaffirmed FAMa's commitment to continue military operations against armed terrorist groups across Mali with discipline, rigor, and dedication.
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Must ReadThe International Monetary Fund IMF is continuing discussions with Senegal amid significant budgetary constraints. While the IMF recognizes the new authorities' transparency efforts, particularly regarding "hidden debt," it notes that the country still faces substantial debt challenges. Consequently, a new financial support program is contingent on the outcome of ongoing technical negotiations. Julie Kozack, IMF Director of Communications, stated on July 9, 2026, that a recent mission to Dakar, led by Zeine Zeidane, the new Director of the IMF's African Department, facilitated deeper dialogue with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Prime Minister, and other government members. These meetings focused on understanding Senegal's financing needs and reform priorities that could underpin an IMF-supported program. Despite constructive discussions, the economic outlook remains concerning, with Senegal still facing significant debt challenges. The IMF emphasized that restoring macroeconomic balance will require deep reforms and rigorous public finance management. The IMF praised the new authorities' commitment to shedding light on hidden debt and strengthening budgetary governance, viewing this as crucial for rebuilding trust with technical and financial partners. However, the IMF has not set a timeline for a new financial assistance program, with Julie Kozack stating it would be "premature" to speculate on a date. The signing of a new agreement will depend on Senegal's

In Burkina Faso, where women are central to the economy in sectors like trade, agriculture, processing, and services, their financial inclusion remains a significant challenge. Noellie Tiendrebeogo, Managing Director of Ecobank Burkina Faso, participated in a World Bank panel on June 30, discussing women's economic participation. The discussion highlighted that less than one in five women in Burkina Faso holds a financial account, and many female entrepreneurs, even in urban areas, face obstacles in accessing financing and developing their businesses. With real GDP growth estimated at 5.3% in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024, the goal is to ensure this economic momentum benefits women, youth, and other under-integrated actors in formal circuits. Tiendrebeogo emphasized that financial inclusion for women extends beyond opening accounts or providing occasional credit. It requires understanding the realities of female entrepreneurs, many of whom have viable businesses but are hindered by a lack of traditional guarantees, insufficient formalization, or limited access to financial information. She stated that the main barrier is not solely access to financing, but also trust, business structuring, financial education, and the ability to offer solutions tailored to women entrepreneurs' needs. The panel concluded that access to the formal financial system depends on institutions offering solutions that align with women's actual experiences. For entrepreneurs, the challenge is not just obt

Burkina Faso's Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo, presented the country's 3rd Voluntary National Report at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The minister reviewed ten years of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. Despite challenges such as insecurity, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduced external funding, Burkina Faso achieved an average economic growth of 4.8% between 2016 and 2025. The report also noted cereal production covering 126% of national needs, increased domestic resource mobilization for development, the reopening of 1,473 schools, the integration of 1.84 million vulnerable people into the Unique Social Register, and advancements in access to drinking water, industrialization, and digital connectivity. At this international platform, the head of the Burkinabe delegation introduced the RELANCE 2026-2030 Plan as the new national framework for SDG implementation. He also advocated for reforming development financing mechanisms, improving access to technology, and fostering partnerships based on mutual respect, while reaffirming Burkina Faso's commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and sovereign development.