Ulf Laessing
@ulflaessing.bsky.social
Head of Sahel Programme at Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in Bamako; previously 13 years for Reuters in Mideast/Africa; Author of Understanding Libya Since Gaddafi; personal account
Honoured to get quoted by the @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/36fa...
Jihadis encircle Maliβs capital as they close in on power
Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists tighten blockade around Bamako as military regime reels
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Honoured to get quoted by the @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/36fa...
Reposted by Ulf Laessing
As reported by Levent Kemal, πΉπ· Turkey now warns its citizens against all non-essential travel to π²π± Mali, due to "recent developments" and a worsening of the security situation.
October 24, 2025 at 1:39 PM
As reported by Levent Kemal, πΉπ· Turkey now warns its citizens against all non-essential travel to π²π± Mali, due to "recent developments" and a worsening of the security situation.
Yet another kidnapping of a foreigner in Niger where I was two weeks ago. Kidnappings will force NGOs leading to more poverty and more volunteers to join the fighters, I tell @AP apnews.com/article/nige...
American missionary abducted in Niger as security worsens, sources say
An American missionary has been kidnapped in Niger's capital, Niamey, according to security sources and local media.
apnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Yet another kidnapping of a foreigner in Niger where I was two weeks ago. Kidnappings will force NGOs leading to more poverty and more volunteers to join the fighters, I tell @AP apnews.com/article/nige...
Mauritania has done more than other Sahel countries to win over jihadists willing to lay down arms, I tell @guardian www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Sahel-based jihadists are extending their reach. Can a fractured region push back?
Counterinsurgency approaches have splintered in west Africa at the same time as terror threats have shifted southward
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Mauritania has done more than other Sahel countries to win over jihadists willing to lay down arms, I tell @guardian www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
The US has offered Mali to target leaders of jihadists I tell AFP. Some officials seem to believe that Maliβs gold might be interesting to US firms.
lnkd.in/dCdFET3H
lnkd.in/dCdFET3H
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page thatβs not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
August 28, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The US has offered Mali to target leaders of jihadists I tell AFP. Some officials seem to believe that Maliβs gold might be interesting to US firms.
lnkd.in/dCdFET3H
lnkd.in/dCdFET3H
I talk to U.S.-based The World radio about why Mali decided to return ancient manuscripts to Timbuktu, a major ancient seat of learning.
lnkd.in/d2FM3Y5B
lnkd.in/d2FM3Y5B
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page thatβs not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
August 22, 2025 at 10:14 AM
I talk to U.S.-based The World radio about why Mali decided to return ancient manuscripts to Timbuktu, a major ancient seat of learning.
lnkd.in/d2FM3Y5B
lnkd.in/d2FM3Y5B
Russiaβs Africa Corps is focused rather on training not fighting like Wagner which could be a contentious issue as Moscow pressures the Central African Republic to make the switch, I tell AP
apnews.com/article/cent....
apnews.com/article/cent....
Russia asks Central African Republic to replace Wagner with state-run Africa Corps and pay for it
Officials in the Central African Republic have said that Russia has called on the country to replace the private Wagner mercenary group with Moscowβs state-run Africa Corps and requested payment for f...
apnews.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Russiaβs Africa Corps is focused rather on training not fighting like Wagner which could be a contentious issue as Moscow pressures the Central African Republic to make the switch, I tell AP
apnews.com/article/cent....
apnews.com/article/cent....
www.dw.com/en/how-the-s... includes quotes from me
How the Sahel became a smuggling hotspot β DW β 07/28/2025
International criminal gangs have exploited instability in Sahel countries to build flourishing drug and human trafficking networks, while Russian promises of bringing order have so far failed.
www.dw.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
www.dw.com/en/how-the-s... includes quotes from me
12. Niger has its own dynamics hard to understand for Europeans who had hoped for Western style democracy. But with the main migration route passing through the Sahel country Europe will be affected wherever happens in Niger.
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
12. Niger has its own dynamics hard to understand for Europeans who had hoped for Western style democracy. But with the main migration route passing through the Sahel country Europe will be affected wherever happens in Niger.
11. flew to Maradi from Niamey with on yet another UN flight. The UN gets criticized for being inefficient but Sahel countries would struggle without. Not only the aid but services such as the UN being the only reliable domestic airline service for anyone, not just the UN
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
11. flew to Maradi from Niamey with on yet another UN flight. The UN gets criticized for being inefficient but Sahel countries would struggle without. Not only the aid but services such as the UN being the only reliable domestic airline service for anyone, not just the UN
10. The ousted President Bazoum ( who is unfor still held by the military government as prisoner) had started a debate on the risks of strong population growth - a subject where he let stiff resistance from the conservative society, especially outside the capital
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
10. The ousted President Bazoum ( who is unfor still held by the military government as prisoner) had started a debate on the risks of strong population growth - a subject where he let stiff resistance from the conservative society, especially outside the capital
9. I asked seminar participants (experts, civil society and womenβs rep, local officials) whether they see the population growth as burden or opportunity - everyday sees economic opportunities though this is hard to understand as Nigeria is at bottom of poverty indices
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
9. I asked seminar participants (experts, civil society and womenβs rep, local officials) whether they see the population growth as burden or opportunity - everyday sees economic opportunities though this is hard to understand as Nigeria is at bottom of poverty indices
8. Another rather population growth detail. While on 1990 some 35 people lived on one kilometer in Maradi in 2050 it will be more than 200. By 2050 the Maradi population will have tripled compared to 2012. Keep in mind that Niger is one of the worldβs poorest countries.
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
8. Another rather population growth detail. While on 1990 some 35 people lived on one kilometer in Maradi in 2050 it will be more than 200. By 2050 the Maradi population will have tripled compared to 2012. Keep in mind that Niger is one of the worldβs poorest countries.
7.We did a small seminar in Maradi on population growth in Niger, where woman per around seven children. Maradi is even more population. The fertility rate here is 7.6. Almost 50 percent of the population in Mardi is 15 years or younger ..
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
7.We did a small seminar in Maradi on population growth in Niger, where woman per around seven children. Maradi is even more population. The fertility rate here is 7.6. Almost 50 percent of the population in Mardi is 15 years or younger ..
6. Supermarkets in Niamey are full of Nigerian stuff I remember from my time in Lagos for Reuters such as my favorite milk shake. Everything goes through Maradi at the border, which really feels like a Nigerian city like Kano or Maiduguri. Very packed and mosques not Sahel style
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
6. Supermarkets in Niamey are full of Nigerian stuff I remember from my time in Lagos for Reuters such as my favorite milk shake. Everything goes through Maradi at the border, which really feels like a Nigerian city like Kano or Maiduguri. Very packed and mosques not Sahel style
5. Inflation is biting. With the BΓ©nin border is still closed and insecurity hampering the Burkina route most imports come from Nigeria. I was surprised to drink this time Lagos-brewed Heineken rather Castel or Beaufort coming from Togo
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
5. Inflation is biting. With the BΓ©nin border is still closed and insecurity hampering the Burkina route most imports come from Nigeria. I was surprised to drink this time Lagos-brewed Heineken rather Castel or Beaufort coming from Togo
4. Oil output running and Malian trucks come to Zinder to buy fuel from the Chinese-made refinery. But there is a row between Niger and China over export levels. Itβs an old conflict in Africa where China is often the only investor but gets accused of benefiting from resources
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
4. Oil output running and Malian trucks come to Zinder to buy fuel from the Chinese-made refinery. But there is a row between Niger and China over export levels. Itβs an old conflict in Africa where China is often the only investor but gets accused of benefiting from resources
3. There have been reports of salary delays of public servants. Hotels are rather empty. Some European development agencies have resumed work but much less than before. Only Italy worried about migration has fully restored ties and even resumed military training.
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
3. There have been reports of salary delays of public servants. Hotels are rather empty. Some European development agencies have resumed work but much less than before. Only Italy worried about migration has fully restored ties and even resumed military training.
2. One reason deterring travelers is that Niger has some of the toughest immigration rules. Upon arriving all foreigners except Mali and Burkina Faso have their passports taken, to be collected at security HQ. I got mine back the next day since they know me, others wait 2-3 days
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
2. One reason deterring travelers is that Niger has some of the toughest immigration rules. Upon arriving all foreigners except Mali and Burkina Faso have their passports taken, to be collected at security HQ. I got mine back the next day since they know me, others wait 2-3 days
1. The Asky flight to and from Niamey was half empty. It was always full before. The security situation has worsened recently in some parts of Niger, with kidnappings of foreigners. I spoke about it yesterday on Indiaβs FirstPost www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmCz...
Niger: Two Indians Killed, One Abducted in a Terrorist Attack | Firstpost Africa | N18G
YouTube video by Firstpost
www.youtube.com
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
1. The Asky flight to and from Niamey was half empty. It was always full before. The security situation has worsened recently in some parts of Niger, with kidnappings of foreigners. I spoke about it yesterday on Indiaβs FirstPost www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmCz...
Sharing some observations from my latest trip to Niger, the capital Niamey and the economic center Maradi. Two years ago I was about to open an office there for a huge EU project to train political parties. Well now
July 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Sharing some observations from my latest trip to Niger, the capital Niamey and the economic center Maradi. Two years ago I was about to open an office there for a huge EU project to train political parties. Well now
JNIM Is staging attacks in western Mali to force the government elevate forces from the north and center, I tell the @telegraphnews.bsky.social www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
The deadly al-Qaeda affiliate terrorising western Africa
Nearly 1,000 people were killed by Jamaβat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in May
www.telegraph.co.uk
July 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
JNIM Is staging attacks in western Mali to force the government elevate forces from the north and center, I tell the @telegraphnews.bsky.social www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Many thanks Tobias
As always, excellent vignettes & analysis from Ulf from places that usually donβt make the news!
Sharing some observations from a recent second trip to Chad. The challenges are multiplying. More Sudanese refugees arrive, the UN will cut funding for them. At Lake Chad you have more sophisticated jihadist attacks
July 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Many thanks Tobias
12. The Turkish drones are meant to replace the French jets to counter any rebel movement - though it will be hard to make up for live surveillance data provided by the French to monitor the vast country.
July 12, 2025 at 6:13 AM
12. The Turkish drones are meant to replace the French jets to counter any rebel movement - though it will be hard to make up for live surveillance data provided by the French to monitor the vast country.