Western Africa
Africa’s one million coronavirus cases “the tip of the iceberg”
By Stephan McCoy, 8 August 2020
Between June and July, the number of cases grew by 500 percent indicating that COVID-19 is more widespread than the official figures suggest.
Germany and EU expand military deployment in Africa
By Gregor Link, 2 June 2020
German imperialism sees the crisis as an opportunity to assert its global geopolitical interests by force of arms.
African economies in free fall as coronavirus pandemic worsens
By Stephan McCoy, 11 April 2020
An African Union study predicts that some 20 million jobs are at risk in Africa due to the impact of the pandemic.
Africa’s elite build VIP hospitals for themselves, leaving workers to die
By Stephan McCoy, 8 April 2020
The response of the African ruling elite has been to cocoon itself in luxury, distancing from the impoverished masses it views with hostility and fear.
German defence minister supports combat operations in Africa
By Gregor Link and Peter Schwarz, 4 January 2020
Over the holidays, Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer reiterated her call for a massive expansion of the Franco-German campaign in the Sahel region.
Apple, Microsoft and Google among five companies sued over deaths of Congolese child miners
By Sam Dalton, 4 January 2020
Apple, Alphabet, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla are all accused in a lawsuit filed last month of knowingly using cobalt mined by children as young as six.
At least 95 killed in massacre at Sobane Kou village in Mali
By Will Morrow, 12 June 2019
This is the latest in a series of massacres amid growing ethnic conflicts in Mali provoked by the French and German occupation of the country.
Nigeria election commission abruptly postpones presidential poll
By Eddie Haywood, 18 February 2019
The contest between incumbent Muhammadu Buhari and chief rival Atiku Abubakar is in a virtual dead heat, with each candidate expected to take an even number of votes.
After attempted coup in Gabon, government imposes internet and media broadcast blackout
By Eddie Haywood, 11 January 2019
The imposition of a complete blackout of internet and broadcast services has long been utilized as a tool of repression by the Bongo government.
Canadian troops deploy to Mali to prop up pro-Western puppet government
By Felix Gauthier, 30 August 2018
Presented as an act of humanitarian charity, Canada’s intervention in Mali is aimed at laying claim to huge swathes of Africa’s mineral riches.
Two migrants die as Morocco unleashes crackdown on behalf of Spain and the European Union
By Alejandro López, 24 August 2018
The catastrophe unfolding in Morocco is a direct result of the EU’s “Fortress Europe” policy and shutdown of other entry routes into Europe.
Protests erupt in Ghana over US military agreement
By Eddie Haywood, 31 March 2018
Thousands turned out in the capital Accra to oppose a deal that would allow for a significant expansion of the US military’s presence in the West African nation.
Pentagon concealed role of US special forces in deadly Niger offensive
By Eddie Haywood, 17 March 2018
On December 6 last year, Green Berets coordinating a military operation with Nigerien forces, killed 11 militants near the town of Diffa, close to the Nigerian border.
France intensifies intervention in West Africa with launch of Sahel G5 force
By Kumaran Ira, 18 November 2017
The spreading war in the Sahel, which flows from the 2011 NATO war in Libya, threatens to plunge the entire region into a broader war and humanitarian crisis.
“They are waging war when necessary”
Niger defense minister exposes US military role in West Africa
By Eddie Haywood, 2 November 2017
Washington has claimed that the 800 US special forces personnel stationed in Niger are restricted to providing training and surveillance assistance.
General lets slip US escalation in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 2 November 2017
The general’s “slip of the tongue” served only to further expose the military escalation being carried out behind the backs of the American people.
US and European military operations in West Africa set the stage for broader war
By Eddie Haywood, 20 October 2017
Underpinning the operations of American, French and German forces in West Africa is the desire to control the region's deposits of uranium, minerals and oil.
Why is the US at war in West Africa?
By Eddie Haywood, 14 October 2017
The October 4 killings of four US Green Berets in Niger has provided a rare glimpse into far-reaching American military operations which have been conducted almost entirely in secret.
The Gambia president refuses to accept election result
By Eddie Haywood, 13 December 2016
After conceding defeat following the December 1 presidential election, incumbent President Yahya Jammeh reversed course, announcing that he now rejects the results.
France, US back purge of leaders of failed Burkina Faso coup
By Stéphane Hugues, 8 October 2015
US officials who view Burkina Faso as strategically central to their military operations in Africa demand that the country be “calm.”
Burkina Faso: 18 dead in terror attack at Ouagadougou
By Anthony Torres, 15 August 2015
This attack is a consequence of the war for regime change carried out by NATO and its Islamist allies in Libya six years ago, which has since spread across the Sahel.
Persistence of Ebola epidemic exposes global health failure
By David Brown, 4 July 2015
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed a record number of people because of the region’s desperate poverty and the miserly international response.
US preparing direct military intervention in Nigeria
By Thomas Gaist, 30 May 2015
The US Defense Department may soon deploy military teams, including advisers and intelligence and logistics personnel, to Africa’s leading economy and largest oil producer.
US-backed Chadian forces invade Nigeria as Pentagon prepares broader war in West Africa
By Thomas Gaist, 11 March 2015
Thousands of Chadian troops, including elite units trained and equipped by the US military, occupied portions of northern Nigeria this week.
US-NATO war games prepare massive military escalation in West Africa
By Thomas Gaist, 17 February 2015
Operation Flintlock 2015, encompassing Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Tunisia, is being used by the US and European powers to escalate their military presence in the oil-rich region.
US AFRICOM commander calls for “huge” military campaign in West Africa
By Thomas Gaist, 2 February 2015
The US to moving to massively expand its military operations in the resource-rich region, as it combats the influence of China and other powers.
Boko Haram escalates offensive in Nigeria’s Borno State
By Thomas Gaist, 12 January 2015
Boko Haram now controls 11 local governmental units, including some 20,000 square miles in the northern states of Yobe and Borno.
Ebola epidemic: West African governments prohibit public Christmas celebrations
By Bernd Sackow, 27 December 2014
The measures taken are more akin to those used by a police state to control the population and they symbolise the inadequacy of the medical measures to fight the Ebola epidemic.
French-backed army junta sets up figurehead regime in Burkina Faso
By Antoine Lerougetel and Alex Lantier, 20 November 2014
A few days after his nomination by the army, transitional president Michel Kafando named junta leader Colonel Isaac Zida as prime minister yesterday.
Military launches coup amid mass protests in Burkina Faso
By Antoine Lerougetel, 3 November 2014
The army took power in Burkina Faso after protests erupted against President Blaise Campaoré’s attempt to modify the constitution so he could again run for the presidency.
Government indifference compounds Ebola disaster
By Kate Randall, 18 October 2014
A UN trust fund for Ebola has only $100,000 on hand, a fraction of the nearly $1 billion the world body says is needed to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
US exploiting West Africa Ebola outbreak to establish military foothold
By Niles Williamson, 4 October 2014
More than 7,000 have fallen ill and more than 3,300 have died in the current epidemic, the most widespread outbreak since the disease was first identified 28 years ago.
Ebola outbreak grows exponentially
By David Brown, 25 September 2014
International health agencies predict the Ebola outbreak in West Africa could affect hundreds of thousands.
Ebola outbreak grows
By David Brown, 13 September 2014
The ebola outbreak in West Africa continues to overwhelm health care workers.
Ebola epidemic highlights poverty in Africa
By David Brown, 1 August 2014
Sierra Leone has mobilized its military and Liberia has closed its schools in response to the uncontained Ebola outbreak.
Ebola outbreak kills hundreds in West Africa
By David Brown, 29 July 2014
Liberia has closed most of its borders in response to an Ebola outbreak that has killed one doctor and infected two others.
Ebola outbreak spreads in West Africa
By John Rowe, 9 July 2014
International agencies say that the deadly Ebola virus is spreading out of control in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Washington sends military personnel to Nigeria
By Bill Van Auken, 8 May 2014
The Obama administration has seized upon the vicious kidnapping of Nigerian school girls to provide the cover of a “moral crusade” for an escalating US and European military intervention in Africa.
The role of Germany in the war in Mali
By Wolfgang Weber, 12 February 2013
Germany is expanding its participation in the French colonial war in Mali from week to week.
Britain, US escalate war aid as France advances into northern Mali
By Alex Lantier, 29 January 2013
Britain has pledged to deploy troops to Mali and the US is planning a base for drones as the imperialist intervention in the Sahara escalates.
Reports of atrocities emerge as France escalates Mali war
By Ernst Wolff, 24 January 2013
Thirteen days after starting a war in Mali, France is boosting its military presence amid reports of civilian and ethnic-based killings by French and allied forces.
Imperialist powers escalate war in Mali
By Ernst Wolff, 22 January 2013
Amid the French offensive in Mali, the imperialist powers are laying out plans for a lasting neo-colonial intervention in all of Western Africa.
French Left Front promotes war in Mali
By Kumaran Ira, 22 January 2013
France’s Left Front is supporting President François Hollande’s decision to launch a war in Mali, while issuing tactical criticisms of his policies.
Standoff continues in Algerian hostage crisis
By Alex Lantier, 19 January 2013
The standoff at the Tinguentourine natural gas site in Algeria has continued amid mounting international tensions over France’s war in Mali.
France escalates Mali war amid Algerian hostage crisis
By Kumaran Ira, 18 January 2013
France has increased its troop deployment in Mali to 1,400, amid a hostage crisis after Islamist militants seized an Algerian natural gas complex to protest the war.
France launches ground offensive in Mali
By Ernst Wolff, 17 January 2013
French ground troops have attacked rebel forces holding the small town of Diabaly, near the border with rebel-held northern Mali.
France continues to bomb Mali as Islamist opposition forces advance
By Alex Lantier, 16 January 2013
French warplanes continued to bomb Mali yesterday as French ground forces entered the country to protect the military junta of Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo.
Junta forces Malian prime minister to resign
By Ernst Wolff, 15 December 2012
Mali’s Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra was arrested and forced to resign by the country’s military junta on Monday night.
West African states prepare intervention in Mali
By Ernst Wolff, 17 November 2012
The Economic Community of West African States has reiterated its readiness to deploy 3,300 soldiers to the north of Mali before the start of the rainy season.
Clinton visit to Algeria prepares war in Mali
By Kumaran Ira, 3 November 2012
Hillary Clinton visited Algiers Monday to secure Algerian support for an imperialist intervention in Mali, as a conference to plan for war opened in Bamako.
EU and the US prepare military intervention in Mali
By Ernst Wolff, 26 October 2012
European and US diplomats and military experts are preparing for a military intervention in Mali.
France, US step up pressure for military intervention in Mali
By Kumaran Ira, 2 October 2012
France and the United States are urging UN Security Council to approve a West African-manned military intervention in Northern Mali.
UN prepares French-backed intervention in Mali
By Ernst Wolff, 25 September 2012
The West African Economic Community and the government of Mali have agreed on the conditions of a military operation in northern Mali.
Western powers preparing intervention in Mali
By Ernst Wolff, 17 July 2012
Just as the international intervention in Libya was aimed in part at denying China access to North African oil, a military intervention in Mali either led by the US or in cooperation with Washington would target Chinese influence in the country.
Safety concerns after Lagos plane crash kills 170
By Trevor Johnson, 8 June 2012
Just before 4 p.m. on June 3, a passenger plane crashed into a built-up area of Lagos, Nigeria, killing all 153 people on board.
France threatens to back intervention in Mali
By Johannes Stern, 10 April 2012
Amid ongoing fighting in Mali, France and the US are threatening to organize a military intervention in the country.
France pledges to back action to crush Mali army revolt
By Antoine Lerougetel, 5 April 2012
France is signaling it will back military action to crush an army revolt that deposed Malian President Amadou Toumani Touré.
Military launches coup in Mali
By Olivier Laurent, 28 March 2012
Mutinous soldiers led by Captain Amadou Sanagou seized power last Thursday in Bamako, the capital of Mali.
Mounting attacks on Nigerian workers
By Robert Stevens, 23 February 2012
Workers in Nigeria face escalating attacks on their livelihoods following the betrayal of last month’s national general strike against the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nigerian government uses terror bombing to justify clampdown
By Robert Stevens, 25 January 2012
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is using a spate of terrorist bombings to justify measures aimed at growing working class opposition to his rule.
The betrayal of Nigeria’s general strike
By Robert Stevens, 21 January 2012
The betrayal of the nationwide general strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) provides crucial lessons for workers and young people the world over.
Nigerian unions suspend general strike as army deploys in cities
By Robert Stevens, 17 January 2012
Nigeria’s two main trade union federations have called off the general strike against President Goodluck Jonathan as army units moved into cities around the country.
Strikes resume in Nigeria after collapse of talks between unions and government
By Robert Stevens, 16 January 2012
Action against the Nigerian government of President Goodluck Jonathan continues as the Nigeria’s main trade union federations failed in their attempt to halt the general strike.
Nigerian unions suspend general strike
By Robert Stevens, 14 January 2012
Nigeria’s two main trade union federations suspended strike action, on the fifth day of a general strike against the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nigerian general strike escalates as government steps up repression
By Robert Stevens, 12 January 2012
Hundreds of thousands have demonstrated throughout Nigeria over the past three days in an escalating general strike against the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
General strike over fuel hike paralyzes Nigeria
By Bill Van Auken, 10 January 2012
Tens of thousands of Nigerians took to the streets Monday at the start of a nationwide general strike against the government’s lifting of subsidies, resulting in the doubling of fuel costs overnight.
General strike called as protests spread in Nigeria against gas price hike
By Niles Williamson, 6 January 2012
As protests spread against cuts to state oil subsidies, Nigerian labour unions have called a general strike starting Monday if the cuts are not rescinded.
Bomb blast in Nigerian capital kills at least 18
By David Walsh, 27 August 2011
A massive explosion ripped through the United Nations complex in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, Friday morning.
Death squads reportedly assassinating Libyan regime figures in Benghazi
By Patrick O’Connor, 12 May 2011
The New York Times yesterday reported on a wave of execution-style murders of former Libyan government internal security personnel in Benghazi.
Burkina Faso shaken by widespread protests
By William Whitlow, 26 April 2011
The West African country of Burkina Faso has been hit by growing popular protests as well as dissent in the army.
Nigerian vote leaves country deeply divided
By Susan Garth, 20 April 2011
President Goodluck Jonathan’s electoral victory has left Nigeria divided along regional, political and class lines.
WikiLeaks documents show Shell Oil domination of Nigeria
By Patrick Martin, 10 December 2010
A Shell executive told the US embassy that the oil company had infiltrated agents into all the main ministries of the Nigerian government.
State of emergency declared in Guinea after elections
By Trevor Johnson, 20 November 2010
Three days after the announcement of the presidential election results, a state of emergency was declared in Guinea when clashes between angry demonstrators and security forces led to several deaths and scores of wounded.
Lead poisoning kills hundreds of children in Nigeria
By Barry Mason, 19 October 2010
More than 400 children have died from the effects of lead poisoning in the northern Nigerian state of Zamfara.
Paris seizes on Niger kidnapping to sow “war on terror” panic
By Kumaran Ira, 28 September 2010
In recent weeks, French authorities have warned of a major risk of terrorist attack in France being prepared by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which recently claimed responsibility for kidnapping seven workers at French mining companies in Niger.
France steps up military intervention in Sahel
By Kumaran Ira, 2 September 2010
France has seized upon reports of the execution of a French aid worker by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in July to escalate its military intervention in its former colonies in the strategic Sahel region of Western Africa.
Worst famine and flooding in Niger’s history
By Trevor Johnson, 1 September 2010
Niger in Western Africa has been hit by double disaster. According to the United Nations, more than 110,000 people have been affected by the severe rains in the second week of August and the flooding that followed.
Trafigura found guilty in Ivory Coast waste-dumping case
By Barry Mason, 5 August 2010
Last month the Amsterdam Central Criminal Court found the Trafigura oil trading corporation guilty of offloading waste from the ship Probo Koala, despite knowing it to be toxic.
Global corporations compete for West African minerals
By Trevor Johnson, 1 July 2010
West Africa has become the scene of intense competition between international mining companies as the price of minerals has risen after the recession of 2009. At the centre of this development is a region that covers parts of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, recognised as the biggest of the world’s remaining undeveloped minerals deposits.
Claims of African economic growth hide stark divisions of rich and poor
By Barry Mason, 25 June 2010
Recent reports show growth of a stark divide between rich and poor in Africa.
China signs $23 billion oil deal with Nigeria
By Trevor Johnson, 28 May 2010
China has signed a $23 billion deal with the new government of Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria to build three oil refineries and a petrochemical plant.
Liberian students protest increase in university fees
By our correspondent, 19 April 2010
On March 31 and April 1 thousands of students at the University of Liberia—the nation’s highest institution of learning—protested against the hiking of tuition fees by 148 percent.
Tensions over Togo election
By Barry Mason, 17 March 2010
Demonstrators took to the streets of Togo’s capital, Lomé, in West Africa last weekend to protest the recent election results.
Hundreds die as factions struggle for power in Nigeria
By Ann Talbot, 16 March 2010
As many as 500 people may have died in the latest round of communal violence in Nigeria’s Plateau State.
Military coup in Niger
By Barry Mason, 24 February 2010
The military have carried out a coup in the West African state of Niger, ousting incumbent President Mamadou Tandja in this former French colony.
Political and social crisis grows as Clinton condemns Nigeria
By Trevor Johnson and Ann Talbot, 3 February 2010
Hundreds of people have been killed as communal violence broke out in the Nigerian city of Jos and surrounding areas last month. The official death toll stands at 326 but it is thought to be higher.
France accused of attempted assassination in Guinea
By John Newham, 11 January 2010
Following an attempt on the life of the president of Guinea, Captain Moussa “Dadis” Camara, on December 3, the Guinean communications minister, Idrissa Cherif, has accused the French government of being complicit in the attack.
British High Court rules that Liberia must pay debt
By John Newham, 14 December 2009
The British High Court has ruled that Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world, must pay a 30-year-old debt now amounting to £12 million ($20 million) to two “vulture funds”. Liberia had claimed that repayment of the debt would be a violation of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.
Pregnancy ends in death for one in eight mothers in Sierra Leone
By Barry Mason, 7 October 2009
An Amnesty International report shows that women in Sierra Leone have a one-in-eight chance of dying from the complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
Military regime massacres protestors in Guinea
By Ann Talbot, 1 October 2009
Repression continues in the aftermath of the massacre of an estimated 157 people attending an opposition rally outside a football stadium in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, on Monday.
London hearing in Ivory Coast toxic dumping lawsuit
By Barry Mason, 22 May 2009
After thousands of people became ill in the West African country of Ivory Coast following the dumping of toxic waste, one of the companies alleged to be involved is indicted in a British court.
Hijacking of US ship raises threat of intervention in Somalia
By Bill Van Auken, 10 April 2009
As the hostage drama off the coast of Somalia continued into its second day Thursday, there were indications that the Obama administration may be preparing yet another military intervention, this time in the Horn of Africa.
Guinea Bissau: President assassinated in impoverished West African country
By Patrick O’Keefe, 17 March 2009
On March 2 President João Bernardo Vieira of Guinea Bissau was assassinated by soldiers loyal to army chief of staff.
Italy: Berlusconi decree legalises anti-immigrant vigilantes
By Marianne Arens, 27 February 2009
The Italian government has passed a decree permitting vigilante squads to patrol Italian cities, legalising the activities of the groups of racist and fascist thugs who have intensified their attacks on immigrants in recent weeks and months.
Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa
7 November 2008
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Instability threatens Guinea after presidential election
By Trevor Johnson, 6 February 2004
There are growing concerns that Guinea in West Africa could fall prey to the same instability as Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire).
Liberia: US puts a bounty on Charles Taylor’s head
By Chris Talbot, 13 November 2003
In a provocative move the Bush administration has made available a $2 million reward for the capture of ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor and for bringing him before the Special Court on war crimes that is being set up in Sierra Leone.
Police murder French journalist in Ivory Coast
By John Farmer, 29 October 2003
The West African country Ivory Coast was taken nearer to the resumption of civil war when on October 21 Radio France International’s (RFI’s) veteran African correspondent, Jean Helene, was shot dead. A police sergeant shot Helene while he was waiting outside police headquarters to interview opposition politicians being released after four days of incarceration. The policeman was disarmed by his fellow officers, arrested and charged with murder.
Liberia faced with continuing instability as UN agrees 15,000 troops
By Chris Talbot, 1 October 2003
Aid workers in Liberia are reporting continued fighting, as well as attacks on civilians including looting, rape and summary executions throughout the north and central regions of Liberia. The attacks on civilians were carried out by both government troops and rebels from the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) group.
US and UN give tacit backing to Guinea Bissau coup
By Brian Smith, 27 September 2003
A successful coup d’état in Guinea Bissau in West Africa has ousted President Kumba Yala and his Prime Minister Mario Pires. Yala later resigned to give the process a gloss of legality.
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