Mali's army said it repelled seven simultaneous attacks on military posts in Ségou and the mining region of Kayes where JNIM's increasing presence is aimed at undermining the military-led government's security and economic interests.

Spoke to BBC's FoA pod about militant pressure on the borders with Senegal and Mauritania that are maintaining joint security cooperation with Mali to try limit the threat terrorism poses for commercial operators and local communities: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0lmy71q

Mali's Goïta laid the foundation stone for a Russian-built gold refinery projected to produce 200 tonnes/year. This comes as a provisional admin takes over Barrick Gold's Loulo complex for 6 months amid a dispute on regulations aimed at increasing Mali's mining sector revenues.

US visa restrictions affecting 10 African countries have come into effect, eliciting a sharp reaction from Chad, which has stopped issuing visas to American nationals to uphold - as its president said - its dignity.

Spoke to Firstpost Africa on continued strain relations between N'Djamena and Washington and increased transactionalism by African countries in response to unpredictable US policies: https://www.firstpost.com/web-show/firstpost-africa/chad-retaliates-with-us-visas-ban-after-donald-trumps-travel-curbs-firstpost-africa-n18g-vd1187979/

#BBCNews - Why Burkina Faso's junta leader has captured hearts and minds
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1egely9v3go
"His messages reflect the age we are living in, when many Africans are questioning the relationship with the West, and why there is still so much poverty in such a resource-rich continent" says @beverly_ochieng

As Burkina Faso's Traoré visited Russia and told RT the army has gained control against militants, JNIM fighters reportedly briefly seized controm of several security posts in various parts of the country and killed an unknown number of forces in a campaign aimed at intensifying territorial reach, in order to undermine the military-led government.

Niger TV on a security cooperation deal between the transitional authorities and Iran, whose head of police is visiting as part of efforts to diversify partnerships. On that theme, Burkina Faso's Traoré has met Venezuela's president while visiting the Sahel's key ally, Russia.

Press in Senegal as Jeune Afrique is accused of manipulating a Tumbuktu Institute report on Sahel's militant threat to the east, Gabon as Oligui ends Bongo's dynasty (while Togo's Gnassingbe extends 58 years of family rule), Mali after anti-junta demos, and Benin after its deadliest militant raid

Mali's opposition parties plan to mobilise against a cabinet resolution to dissolve political parties and elevate Gen Goïta - in power since 2020 - to president for a five-year renewable term. I analyse the risks for political stability, decision-making and regional alignments for BBC Swahili:

https://www.bbc.com/swahili/bbc_swahili_radio/w173057hyc291yp

Mali looks likely to dissolve political parties, ban elections calls and keep Gen Goïta for 5 more years; Niger petrol stations placed under surveillance as militants threaten Niamey and Russia to mediate the Algeria-AES spat; & Chad's peace deal with the Miski self-defence group

Benin's deadliest militant attack underscores the growing instability in the Sahel, confirms JNIM's intent to exert influence in the north and puts pressure on the gov't to be forthcoming and transparent about the insurgency to maintain public trust and reduce political stability risks. Some thoughts from me to @AFP https://www.barrons.com/news/benin-tensions-with-burkina-niger-open-door-for-jihadists-8ca0648e?refsec=topics_afp-news

Burkina Faso has made fresh allegations that Côte d'Ivoire is linked to the latest attempt to remove Traoré from power. I spoke to BBC Swahili about strained relations between the two countries, Traoré's popularity cast against military setbacks and how his gov't is dealing with a fragile political and security environment:
https://www.bbc.com/swahili/bbc_swahili_radio/programmes/p03411mj

The press in Gabon as Oligui moves from junta head to president, Mali where nationwide anti-Algeria demos morph into calls for Goïta to remain in power for 5 more years, while Russia "chooses silence" on the drone incident, and Burkina Faso on geopolitics at the Anatalya forum.

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema wins 90% of votes in Gabon's presidential election, according to provisional results from the interior ministry, a decisive victory that (symbolically) ends the Bongo family reign and military rule.

For the first time in over five decades, the name "Bongo" will not be on the ballot in Gabon where elections to end military rule will be taking place.

Some thoughts from me on stability and economic prospects amid projections that Oligui is headed for a decisive victory, having consolidated power in the transition and against a weak opposition:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/gabon-election-what-s-at-stake-in-first-presidential-poll-since-2023-coup/3535688

The Alliance of Sahel States - whose members will continue to display united actions in the coming months with Mali as the apparent hegemon - has recalled ambassadors in Algeria, which it accuses of shooting down a Mali army drone in Malian territory. Algeria had said on 1 April that it destroyed a drone that had entered within 2km of its airspace.

Foreign ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States have been in Russia, which intends to remain a strategic partner in the coalition's quest for recognition and sovereignty. Niger's FM spoke to @RTenfrancais on this and the push to stop using the CFA franc
https://francais.rt.com/magazines/la-grande-interview/118926-grande-interview-vincent-nkong-njock

Guinea will hold a constitutional referendum on 21 September, four years after Doumbouya seized power and pledged political, economic and social reforms. Political activities remain restricted as key parties have been dissolved, opponents are exiled/jailed and protests are banned

Multiparty democracy has been dismantled in Niger where the military ruler Abdourahmane Tchiani was sworn in as president for five years. I spoke to @BBCNews about the prospects of civic freedoms reducing with the dissolution of political parties and how ECOWAS is recalibrating its relations with the Sahel where military rule is now entrenched.

Angola wants to withdraw from its role as mediator between DR Congo and Rwanda and parallel peace, diplomatic and military initiatives unravel under M23's advance. I spoke to @firstpost.com.world about the fragility of M23's announced withdrawal and regional tensions as many parties are involved.

https://youtu.be/XWCTD6Y85DE?si=9_KorzZ_GDaJv4uA

For the first time since 2022, the leaders and Rwanda and DR Congo held face-to-face talks, mediated by the latest actor: Qatar. I spoke to @bloomberg TV about gains by M23 and how each side is leveraging mineral concessions for political control https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2025-03-21/ochieng-m23-rebels-will-continue-advancing-in-congo-video