Beverly Ochieng
@beverlyochieng.bsky.social
Books | Sahel coup watcher | Wagner Group stalker | Senior Analyst, Francophone Africa, Control Risks | occasional typos, usual disclaimers
Dakar/Nairobi/Bookshelf
Dakar/Nairobi/Bookshelf
French forces have left Senegal. But in select countries - and newer partners like Kenya, Nigeria - bilateral ventures will continue. Meanwhile, West African gov'ts will maintain strategic defence ties to build the resilience of their militaries in the face of militancy youtu.be/ZlYMzMUILUM?...
July 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
French forces have left Senegal. But in select countries - and newer partners like Kenya, Nigeria - bilateral ventures will continue. Meanwhile, West African gov'ts will maintain strategic defence ties to build the resilience of their militaries in the face of militancy youtu.be/ZlYMzMUILUM?...
As Burkina Faso's Traoré visited Russia and told RT that the army has gained control against militants, JNIM fighters reportedly briefly seized control of several security posts, killed an unknown number of forces in a campaign aimed at intensifying territorial reach to undermine the military gov't.
May 12, 2025 at 6:06 AM
As Burkina Faso's Traoré visited Russia and told RT that the army has gained control against militants, JNIM fighters reportedly briefly seized control of several security posts, killed an unknown number of forces in a campaign aimed at intensifying territorial reach to undermine the military gov't.
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
May 5, 2025 at 6:53 AM
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 looking to dissolve political parties, ban elections calls and keep Gen Goïta for 5 more years; Niger petrol stations under surveillance as militants threaten Niamey and Russia to mediate the Algeria-AES spat; and Chad finalises a peace deal with the Miski self-defence group to access minerals.
April 30, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Mali looking to dissolve political parties, ban elections calls and keep Gen Goïta for 5 more years; Niger petrol stations under surveillance as militants threaten Niamey and Russia to mediate the Algeria-AES spat; and Chad finalises a peace deal with the Miski self-defence group to access minerals.
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.
April 14, 2025 at 7:18 AM
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.
April 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
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.
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 RT on this and the push to eventually stop using the CFA franc
francais.rt.com/magazines/la...
francais.rt.com/magazines/la...
April 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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 RT on this and the push to eventually stop using the CFA franc
francais.rt.com/magazines/la...
francais.rt.com/magazines/la...
Niger withdraws from La Francophonie as it continues to reject any institutional form of what it perceives to be France's political, linguistic, military and economic influence.
March 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Niger withdraws from La Francophonie as it continues to reject any institutional form of what it perceives to be France's political, linguistic, military and economic influence.
Prominent TVs off air as Senegal seeks compliance, Burkina Faso's PM highlights military progress amid alleged human rights abuses by soldiers and VDPs in Solenzo and the latest attacks in the north, while Benin-Niger tensions continue to hamper crude oil exports and joint counterterror operations.
March 17, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Prominent TVs off air as Senegal seeks compliance, Burkina Faso's PM highlights military progress amid alleged human rights abuses by soldiers and VDPs in Solenzo and the latest attacks in the north, while Benin-Niger tensions continue to hamper crude oil exports and joint counterterror operations.
If you see this, quote with flowers from your gallery #bloomscrolling
(Also what we left to begin blooming in Kenya because we are still rooted to home)
(Also what we left to begin blooming in Kenya because we are still rooted to home)
January 26, 2025 at 5:58 AM
If you see this, quote with flowers from your gallery #bloomscrolling
(Also what we left to begin blooming in Kenya because we are still rooted to home)
(Also what we left to begin blooming in Kenya because we are still rooted to home)
Benin's attack underscores the spillover of militant activity from Burkina Faso and Niger, and strained relations are unlikely to enable joint security operations. JNIM will continue being intent on its Gulf of Guinea expansion, even as the Beninise army's competence remains high.
January 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Benin's attack underscores the spillover of militant activity from Burkina Faso and Niger, and strained relations are unlikely to enable joint security operations. JNIM will continue being intent on its Gulf of Guinea expansion, even as the Beninise army's competence remains high.
Chad calls out Macron for saying the quiet part out loud in reaction to the looming departure of French forces from Central and West Africa this year.
January 6, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Chad calls out Macron for saying the quiet part out loud in reaction to the looming departure of French forces from Central and West Africa this year.
West & Central African leaders are reshaping France's presence through nationalist policies that sustain their popular appeal, by reducing dependance on French forces and building resilient armies amid insurgencies and political fragility. I say more on @france24.com
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
January 4, 2025 at 8:35 AM
West & Central African leaders are reshaping France's presence through nationalist policies that sustain their popular appeal, by reducing dependance on French forces and building resilient armies amid insurgencies and political fragility. I say more on @france24.com
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
Côte d'Ivoire's announcement of French troops leaving is likely aimed at deterring perceptions of France influencing internal politics amid elections later this year, and shows confidence in the army's efforts in forestalling the Sahel insurgency as I highlight on Firstpost
youtu.be/p0JIBjGljrQ?...
youtu.be/p0JIBjGljrQ?...
January 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Côte d'Ivoire's announcement of French troops leaving is likely aimed at deterring perceptions of France influencing internal politics amid elections later this year, and shows confidence in the army's efforts in forestalling the Sahel insurgency as I highlight on Firstpost
youtu.be/p0JIBjGljrQ?...
youtu.be/p0JIBjGljrQ?...
As 2025 begins, Côte d'Ivoire becomes the latest to review its military ties with France.
Will Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso - now the Alliance of Sahel States - perceive Abidjan with less mistrust as they prepare to officially leave ECOWAS and legitimise their confederation?
Will Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso - now the Alliance of Sahel States - perceive Abidjan with less mistrust as they prepare to officially leave ECOWAS and legitimise their confederation?
January 1, 2025 at 4:05 AM
As 2025 begins, Côte d'Ivoire becomes the latest to review its military ties with France.
Will Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso - now the Alliance of Sahel States - perceive Abidjan with less mistrust as they prepare to officially leave ECOWAS and legitimise their confederation?
Will Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso - now the Alliance of Sahel States - perceive Abidjan with less mistrust as they prepare to officially leave ECOWAS and legitimise their confederation?
Burkina Faso produced its first gold bars earlier in December as it aims to assert greater economic empowerment through its extractives sector.
I spoke to TRT TV about the symbolism of this for the sovereigntist junta and how the insurgency continues to impair development youtu.be/LBSgTpR65u4?...
I spoke to TRT TV about the symbolism of this for the sovereigntist junta and how the insurgency continues to impair development youtu.be/LBSgTpR65u4?...
December 17, 2024 at 8:47 PM
Burkina Faso produced its first gold bars earlier in December as it aims to assert greater economic empowerment through its extractives sector.
I spoke to TRT TV about the symbolism of this for the sovereigntist junta and how the insurgency continues to impair development youtu.be/LBSgTpR65u4?...
I spoke to TRT TV about the symbolism of this for the sovereigntist junta and how the insurgency continues to impair development youtu.be/LBSgTpR65u4?...
Ecowas has given Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso a six-month grace period to reconsider the Sahel-exit, while the AES has said its region is open to West Africans as it needs to sustain its landlocked economy amid insurgencies and political instability.
Here is some press on that:
Here is some press on that:
December 16, 2024 at 8:00 AM
Ecowas has given Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso a six-month grace period to reconsider the Sahel-exit, while the AES has said its region is open to West Africans as it needs to sustain its landlocked economy amid insurgencies and political instability.
Here is some press on that:
Here is some press on that:
In the past week, at least 110 soldiers and 70 civilians have reportedly been killed in separate attacks linked to Islamic State in Niger's western Tillabéri region, demonstrating intent and capacity for high impact ambushes and sustained pressure on key supply routes leading to Niamey.
December 12, 2024 at 3:59 PM
In the past week, at least 110 soldiers and 70 civilians have reportedly been killed in separate attacks linked to Islamic State in Niger's western Tillabéri region, demonstrating intent and capacity for high impact ambushes and sustained pressure on key supply routes leading to Niamey.
Chad and Senegal are the latest Francophone African countries to re-align their relationship with France, underscoring how injustices by former colonial governments serve as a potent political force. My latest in @thecontinent.org with many thanks to @simonallison.bsky.social and @namlyd.bsky.social
December 7, 2024 at 7:54 AM
Chad and Senegal are the latest Francophone African countries to re-align their relationship with France, underscoring how injustices by former colonial governments serve as a potent political force. My latest in @thecontinent.org with many thanks to @simonallison.bsky.social and @namlyd.bsky.social
Personal favourite from the Dakar Biennale.
November 30, 2024 at 6:58 PM
Personal favourite from the Dakar Biennale.
Niger's junta has been in dialogue with rebels, leading to the surrender of dozens of fighters, which may reduce the political influence of some of the groups' exiled leaders and maintain control on the outcome of wider talks on the transition.
My analysis in this week's @thecontinent.bsky.social
My analysis in this week's @thecontinent.bsky.social
November 23, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Niger's junta has been in dialogue with rebels, leading to the surrender of dozens of fighters, which may reduce the political influence of some of the groups' exiled leaders and maintain control on the outcome of wider talks on the transition.
My analysis in this week's @thecontinent.bsky.social
My analysis in this week's @thecontinent.bsky.social
In Gabon, over 90% of voters support a new constitution that asserts the junta's power in future elections, Mali's interim prime minister questions the timeline of his own gov't transition and in Senegal, Pastef consolidates the assembly from provisional legislative poll results
November 18, 2024 at 9:14 AM
In Gabon, over 90% of voters support a new constitution that asserts the junta's power in future elections, Mali's interim prime minister questions the timeline of his own gov't transition and in Senegal, Pastef consolidates the assembly from provisional legislative poll results
If you look closely, there is a new moon
October 6, 2024 at 11:38 AM
If you look closely, there is a new moon
Gritty. Lyrical. Quiet magic.
January 1, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Gritty. Lyrical. Quiet magic.