By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on France 24
The Azawad Liberation Front has released videos showing Malian soldiers as prisoners in Mali. The publication comes after accusations by human rights organisations that an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels executed regular army soldiers in the north of the country.
Malian businessman Chérif Ould Taher played a key role in the release on 21 October of a Swiss woman and an Austrian woman abducted in 2025 by Islamic State in the Sahel. Described as one of the main drug traffickers in northern Mali, he had also helped secure the release of an American hostage in August, according to Le Monde.
🇲🇱 Mali · Source: Le Monde ·
A Punch editorial examines Nigeria’s inclusion on the 2026 US blacklist concerning child soldier recruitment and distinguishes the state’s responsibilities from those of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa. It calls for an evidence-based assessment, as videos reported to show children associated with armed groups have renewed concern.
🇳🇬 Nigeria · Source: Punch ·
Mamoutou Kané has left his post as coach of Mali’s under-20 team after their elimination in the group stage of the WAFU-A tournament held in Bamako. Beaten 1-0 by Guinea and then Gambia, Mali finished without scoring and will not qualify for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations by this route, the Malian Football Federation announced.
🇲🇱 Mali · Source: Mali Actu ·
A rumour portrayed former Senegalese president Macky Sall as a candidate to lead the International Organisation of La Francophonie, four days after he withdrew from the race for UN secretary-general. The candidacy was quickly denied, Senenews reports.
🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: Senenews ·
Mines paid Mali 888.5 billion CFA francs in 2025Mining companies paid 888.5 billion CFA francs to the Malian state in 2025, up 6.4% year on year, Mines Minister Amadou Keïta announced. The contribution rose despite a 22.9% drop in industrial gold production; the figures were presented at a press briefing in Bamako, according to L’Indicateur du Renouveau.
Groups challenge Senegalese mediation in Guinea-BissauThe Front uni and the International Solidarity Network with Guinea-Bissau accuse Senegalese mediation of passivity and call for measures to restore constitutional order. Their manifesto also implicates ECOWAS in the political crisis, according to Senenews.The week in Africa
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