Olivier Dubois, a French journalist, was kidnapped by JNIM, a branch of al-Qaida in Africa's Sahel region, while on his way to interview one of the group's leaders in northern Mali.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) withdraws from ECOWAS and continues initiatives for independence, regional integration, and defensive cooperation.

The official departure from the West African body on Tuesday comes after Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali last year formed their own alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States.

A joint force of 5,000 troops from military-led neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon deploy in their troubled central Sahel region, Niger's defence chief said on state television.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso were to officially quit the West African bloc Ecowas Wednesday, severing ties after years of strained relations that have reshaped trade routes in the Sahel.

The four were transporting electrical equipment from Casablanca to Niamey, the capital city of ... recently expanded their activities in the Sahel, which has been upended by military coups in ...

Four Moroccan truck drivers were kidnapped while transporting goods from Morocco to Niger and were later released in Niger. The incident highlights the prevalent insecurity in the Sahel region, exacerbated by militant activities.

Four Moroccan truck drivers were kidnapped over the weekend in West Africa and released in Niger. They were transporting electrical equipment on a dangerous route affected by militant activity in the Sahel.

NIAMEY - A joint force of 5,000 troops from military-led neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon deploy in their troubled central Sahel region, Niger's defence chief said on state ...

an arid swath of land south of the Sahara where militant groups such as the Islamic State Sahel Province have exploited local grievances to expand their ranks and presence. The four were transporting electrical equipment from Casablanca to Niamey ...

Junta-Led Sahel States Ready Joint Force of 5,000 Troops, Says Minister NIAMEY (Reuters) - A joint force of 5,000 troops from military-led neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon deploy ...

Olivier Dubois, a French journalist, was kidnapped by JNIM, a branch of al-Qaida in Africa's Sahel region, while on his way to interview one of the group's leaders in northern Mali