West Africa faces security crossroads, prioritizing regional cooperation over Western alliances
via Lefaso.net6 min read
West African nations are increasingly advocating for internal solutions and regional cooperation to combat armed groups, moving away from alliances with Western powers. This shift was highlighted at the 10th International Forum on Peace and Security on April 21, 2026, and in recent Nigerian official statements. Nigerian Minister of Defense, Christopher Musa, expressed solidarity with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, emphasizing that security solutions lie in strengthened regional integration. Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, at the same forum, praised the effectiveness of cooperation models among West African countries and the Alliance of Sahel States AES, which has shown progress against armed groups in two years, contrasting with over a decade of perceived ineffective French military presence. Senegal is actively engaged in joint operations with Mali, recognizing terrorism as a common regional threat. Benin and Nigeria are also enhancing bilateral cooperation against terrorist groups along their shared borders. The consensus is that terrorism is a collective challenge requiring collective efforts, with growing skepticism in West African capitals regarding the effectiveness of foreign military assistance. The AES and Senegal exemplify this new approach, focusing on regional cooperation and local ownership of solutions.
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Burkinabe students trained in China have officially launched the Association of Burkinabe Alumni of China, aiming to unite members and actively contribute to national development and strengthen cooperation between Burkina Faso and China. The launch ceremony took place at Aube Nouvelle University on April 24, 2026, coinciding with the celebration of International Chinese Language Day. The event gathered diplomats, academics, and many former Burkinabe students who studied in China. Through this association, the alumni intend to pool their skills, share experiences, and act as a force for proposals in various key sectors. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Burkina Faso, Deyong Zhao, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the joint celebration as a strong symbol of cultural rapprochement. He emphasized that promoting the Chinese language is a strategic lever for cooperation, encouraging more alumni to integrate into the language and improve their understanding of Chinese culture. Ambassador Zhao also noted the opportunities learning Chinese opens for Burkinabe youth, calling it a tool for global openness and a language of the future. The Chinese embassy plans to play an active role, supporting young Burkinabe interested in learning Chinese and strengthening bilateral relations through initiatives like the "Sino-African year for human and cultural exchanges." Oumar Dicko, president of the association, expressed gratitude to the Chi
The spokesperson for the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Burkina Faso has reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Principle. A statement from the embassy, shared with Lefaso.net, outlined the foundations of this position and highlighted the support from several African countries for China's territorial integrity. The document noted that all African countries, except Eswatini, have established diplomatic relations with China. These 53 nations, along with the African Union, adopted the Beijing Declaration at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation FOCAC summit. They have consistently affirmed their firm defense of the One-China Principle, recognizing that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China. They also strongly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The embassy emphasized that the adherence to the One-China Principle aligns with international law and the fundamental norms governing international relations, stating that any attempts at "Taiwan independence" are futile and doomed to fail.
Must ReadThe General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces announced on April 25, 2026, that terrorist armed groups attempted attacks in several cities across the country. The Malian armed forces successfully repelled these attempts due to their professionalism and commitment, neutralizing several terrorists and destroying equipment. Mopping-up operations are ongoing. The General Staff of the Armed Forces assures the public that the situation is under control and urges citizens to remain calm, exercise discernment, and avoid sharing propaganda videos or messages that could fuel anxiety. They recommend relying solely on official channels for reliable information.
During a Council of Ministers meeting on April 24, 2026, Minister of Economy Aboubacar Nacanabo presented an oral report on the reconciliation of the payroll file with ministerial and institutional personnel registers. The reconciliation, based on the November 2025 payroll of 207,903 remunerated agents, identified three categories of situations. The first category included 34,901 agents in administrative registers but not on the payroll, potentially due to retirement, availability, secondment, or pending assignments. The second category comprised 193,423 agents found consistently in both databases. The third category identified 14,480 agents paid through the Integrated System for Administrative and Salary Management of State Personnel SIGASPE who did not appear in the transmitted registers. A detailed analysis of these 14,480 agents and the administrative status of the 193,423 agents revealed irregularities in the pay status of 1,488 agents. Consequently, 1,488 salaries were suspended due to reasons such as cessation of activity, death, retirement, abandonment of post, or non-compliant administrative situations. Additionally, 2,346 agents in internships were found to be unduly receiving field allowances instead of the prescribed on-call internship allowance. Financially, these measures are expected to generate substantial savings. The suspensions alone are estimated to save 2.43 billion CFA francs annually. Including the adjustment of unduly paid allowances to interns, the to