The latest news from West Africa, summarised in English country by country — Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger… — from the local press. 1,127 articles published.
✓Updated around the clock from 450+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
The Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists is calling on voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards before the 2027 general elections. It is asking the media, political parties and civil society organisations to intensify awareness campaigns and encourage peaceful participation, according to Businessday.
An explosion on a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation gas pipeline injured people and damaged several homes and businesses in Aleto, Rivers State, Nigeria. The company isolated the affected pipeline and is coordinating the response with petroleum authorities, security services and local emergency responders, according to the NNPC.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned attacks against Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi rebels and offered his condolences to the Saudi authorities. The message called for violence to be avoided and regional peace to be prioritised, according to Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry.
The Sierra Leone Police denied publishing a statement announcing promotions for long-serving police officers and called it fake. In a warning issued on 17 October 2026, it urged officers and the public not to send money or personal data to alleged intermediaries, according to the Sierra Leone Police.
Guinea has postponed the opening of the registration platform for recruiting new health workers. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and the Civil Service announced the change in a statement, according to Guinéenews.
Municipal councillors in Adjamé, Ivory Coast, have defended the management of MP and mayor Farikou Soumahoro in response to allegations circulated on social media. They discussed project implementation, the use of municipal resources and the social climate at a meeting held on 16 October, according to L’Infodrome.
Adnan Aziz, a 24-year-old Beninese striker born in Djougou, wants to continue his career abroad and is particularly targeting Chacarita Juniors, an Argentine club he admires. After spells in Benin, Italy, France and the Czech Republic, he is seeking a comeback after a serious injury, Jornal Tropical reports.
The Cape Verdean government will increase the University of Cape Verde’s budget from 1.1 million to 1.5 million contos for the 2026–2027 academic year. Education Minister Arnaldo Brito wants the increase to improve learning and bring the university closer to businesses and communities, according to his opening speech.
The new president of Cape Verde’s Movement for Democracy, Paulo Veiga, acknowledges that parties have lost voters’ trust and promises to bring the MpD closer to its grassroots. He partly attributes the party’s decline to losing 39,000 members in 10 years and political disenchantment, in an interview with Expresso das Ilhas.
Mauritania presented its first periodic report on implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The document was submitted to the African Committee of Experts at its 48th ordinary session, according to the Mauritanian Information Agency.
More than 200 people marched in Dakar to demand justice after the death of Astou Pierre, 40, who died on 1 October after being doused with acid by her former partner. The suspect remains at large, while demonstrators marched to the Grand Dakar prefecture, according to Dakaractu.
Guinea-Bissau’s Council of Ministers confirms its rejection of a study on hepatitis B vaccination in newborns, under the protocol for the Bandim Health project. The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting in Bissau after rumours circulating on social media were examined, according to the official statement.
Famatou Diallo, 18 and eight months pregnant, died after falling into a well in the village of Canapé, in the commune of Ndoga Babacar, Tambacounda; her baby did not survive. She had gone to fetch water when she reportedly lost her balance while pulling up a basin, Senenews reports.
Golfe 2 municipality in Togo established a consultation framework on 15 October bringing together producers, processors, distributors, consumers and institutions to address local food issues. The initiative, launched with the Organisation for Food and Local Development, is to produce a Territorial Food Plan to guide municipal action, reports Icilomé.
The Senegalese Takku Wallu parliamentary group has announced its definitive withdrawal from six National Assembly inquiry commissions. It denounced excessively publicised hearings and fears they could serve as a “public trial by intent”, according to a statement reported by 24heureinfo.
Mauritanian Coumba Bâ, a candidate for secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, makes the return of Sahel countries to the organisation a priority and advocates a unifying approach. She says she has presented her vision in more than 40 of the 53 voting countries, according to France 24.
Senegalese commentator Mamadou Cissé, known as Momo Cissé, admitted relaying unverified accusations concerning Nourah Ba and her detention. According to details of the hearing reported by Senenews, he explained that he had relied on indirect testimony without having evidence or witnessing the police intervention.
Senegal defender Malang Sarr says he was disappointed to miss the 2026 World Cup but has moved on from that frustration. For his first call-up to the Lions, he wants to honour the coaching staff’s trust and take responsibility in a team in transition, according to Senenews.