Rachel Chason
@rchason.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com West Africa bureau chief, based in 🇸🇳
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rchasonwp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rchasonwp
As talks were underway and the hostages were released, everyone was “hopeful,” said Guy Poran, a retired air force pilot who led the effort to organize the first letter. “We believed Israel was really negotiating toward making a deal.”
April 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
As talks were underway and the hostages were released, everyone was “hopeful,” said Guy Poran, a retired air force pilot who led the effort to organize the first letter. “We believed Israel was really negotiating toward making a deal.”
Among the letter-writers: Veterans, reservists, ex-spies and military officers, academics and former diplomats, and physicians who’ve spent months serving in Gaza.
April 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Among the letter-writers: Veterans, reservists, ex-spies and military officers, academics and former diplomats, and physicians who’ve spent months serving in Gaza.
But they hadn’t expected the public outcry.
For many, the suspension was seen
as a bridge too far. Facing massive public pressure, the media authority relented, shortening the suspension.
For many, the suspension was seen
as a bridge too far. Facing massive public pressure, the media authority relented, shortening the suspension.
March 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
But they hadn’t expected the public outcry.
For many, the suspension was seen
as a bridge too far. Facing massive public pressure, the media authority relented, shortening the suspension.
For many, the suspension was seen
as a bridge too far. Facing massive public pressure, the media authority relented, shortening the suspension.
As Mohamed doubled down, defending his right to free speech in a sharply worded editorial, so did the media authority.
Joliba TV, it announced, would be taken off the air for two months
Inside the station, there was turmoil:
Joliba TV, it announced, would be taken off the air for two months
Inside the station, there was turmoil:
March 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
As Mohamed doubled down, defending his right to free speech in a sharply worded editorial, so did the media authority.
Joliba TV, it announced, would be taken off the air for two months
Inside the station, there was turmoil:
Joliba TV, it announced, would be taken off the air for two months
Inside the station, there was turmoil:
Mohamed grew up during a time when Mali was a democratic model in the region, with a vibrant free press. When military officers took power in 2020, he was skeptical.
But it wasn’t until the government started shutting down French stations in 2022 that he had a premonition.
But it wasn’t until the government started shutting down French stations in 2022 that he had a premonition.
March 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Mohamed grew up during a time when Mali was a democratic model in the region, with a vibrant free press. When military officers took power in 2020, he was skeptical.
But it wasn’t until the government started shutting down French stations in 2022 that he had a premonition.
But it wasn’t until the government started shutting down French stations in 2022 that he had a premonition.
Across the Sahel, juntas are limiting freedom of speech. Journalists, activists & politicians have been arrested, disappeared and even sent to fight
Finding examples wasn’t hard but finding people who still dared speak was
Mohamed Attaher was clear—he wanted his story told…
Finding examples wasn’t hard but finding people who still dared speak was
Mohamed Attaher was clear—he wanted his story told…
March 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Across the Sahel, juntas are limiting freedom of speech. Journalists, activists & politicians have been arrested, disappeared and even sent to fight
Finding examples wasn’t hard but finding people who still dared speak was
Mohamed Attaher was clear—he wanted his story told…
Finding examples wasn’t hard but finding people who still dared speak was
Mohamed Attaher was clear—he wanted his story told…
And there’s Mohamed Attaher, one of a few fully independent journalists in Mali.
Mohamed said he’s been questioned by almost everyone — the media authority, his students, even his wife — about whether he can soften his stances
But he won’t back down: wapo.st/3X6wb48
Mohamed said he’s been questioned by almost everyone — the media authority, his students, even his wife — about whether he can soften his stances
But he won’t back down: wapo.st/3X6wb48
February 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
And there’s Mohamed Attaher, one of a few fully independent journalists in Mali.
Mohamed said he’s been questioned by almost everyone — the media authority, his students, even his wife — about whether he can soften his stances
But he won’t back down: wapo.st/3X6wb48
Mohamed said he’s been questioned by almost everyone — the media authority, his students, even his wife — about whether he can soften his stances
But he won’t back down: wapo.st/3X6wb48
And for our profile of President Ibrahim Traoré, we talked to multiple people close to the captain turned coup leader.
Our piece looks at the early battle experiences that formed him — and the stubbornness that some say plagues him.
His story: wapo.st/433orDL
Our piece looks at the early battle experiences that formed him — and the stubbornness that some say plagues him.
His story: wapo.st/433orDL
February 28, 2025 at 1:54 PM
And for our profile of President Ibrahim Traoré, we talked to multiple people close to the captain turned coup leader.
Our piece looks at the early battle experiences that formed him — and the stubbornness that some say plagues him.
His story: wapo.st/433orDL
Our piece looks at the early battle experiences that formed him — and the stubbornness that some say plagues him.
His story: wapo.st/433orDL
Jackie Li, who was in Niger when a coup rocked the West, revealed how much she and others were pushing to stay involved in Niger even after the coup, speaking to a bigger — stil unresolved — tension in the USG on balancing security & democracy
Her story: wapo.st/3CWcN33
Her story: wapo.st/3CWcN33
February 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Jackie Li, who was in Niger when a coup rocked the West, revealed how much she and others were pushing to stay involved in Niger even after the coup, speaking to a bigger — stil unresolved — tension in the USG on balancing security & democracy
Her story: wapo.st/3CWcN33
Her story: wapo.st/3CWcN33
Nazar, a Wagner mercenary in Mali, shed light on the notoriously insular group’s operations, telling me and @johnalechner.bsky.social how Wagner made Mali’s military stronger as they took back bases — but also how fleeting those gains felt:
wapo.st/3Qqd0hY
wapo.st/3Qqd0hY
February 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Nazar, a Wagner mercenary in Mali, shed light on the notoriously insular group’s operations, telling me and @johnalechner.bsky.social how Wagner made Mali’s military stronger as they took back bases — but also how fleeting those gains felt:
wapo.st/3Qqd0hY
wapo.st/3Qqd0hY
Tidjie told me and Carmen that he’d felt inspired by President Ibrahim Traoré to fight with the militia.
But then they just kept losing ground, and he knew he had a choice to make.
His story: wapo.st/41mejVw
But then they just kept losing ground, and he knew he had a choice to make.
His story: wapo.st/41mejVw
February 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Tidjie told me and Carmen that he’d felt inspired by President Ibrahim Traoré to fight with the militia.
But then they just kept losing ground, and he knew he had a choice to make.
His story: wapo.st/41mejVw
But then they just kept losing ground, and he knew he had a choice to make.
His story: wapo.st/41mejVw
Next we went to Burkina Faso, where militia members — who are fighting jihadists like Ibrahim— had been implicated in widespread human rights abuses.
When we met Tidjie, a farmer turned fighter, it became clear how dire/complicated/hopeless things had become
When we met Tidjie, a farmer turned fighter, it became clear how dire/complicated/hopeless things had become
February 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Next we went to Burkina Faso, where militia members — who are fighting jihadists like Ibrahim— had been implicated in widespread human rights abuses.
When we met Tidjie, a farmer turned fighter, it became clear how dire/complicated/hopeless things had become
When we met Tidjie, a farmer turned fighter, it became clear how dire/complicated/hopeless things had become
His reasons for joining — and maybe returning — to JNIM shed light into why it has gained so much power throughout the Sahel.
It’s about their control of the economy; religion & lack of other options. But also brotherhood & adventure.
Ibrahim’s story: wapo.st/4b4Y3vc
It’s about their control of the economy; religion & lack of other options. But also brotherhood & adventure.
Ibrahim’s story: wapo.st/4b4Y3vc
February 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
His reasons for joining — and maybe returning — to JNIM shed light into why it has gained so much power throughout the Sahel.
It’s about their control of the economy; religion & lack of other options. But also brotherhood & adventure.
Ibrahim’s story: wapo.st/4b4Y3vc
It’s about their control of the economy; religion & lack of other options. But also brotherhood & adventure.
Ibrahim’s story: wapo.st/4b4Y3vc
By the time Carmen and I arrived in the fall of 2023 and met Ibrahim, who’d spent 2 years in the al Qaeda affiliate, he was living in a rundown house in Niamey with no electricity or running water.
He said twice already, he’d tried to escape.
He said twice already, he’d tried to escape.
February 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
By the time Carmen and I arrived in the fall of 2023 and met Ibrahim, who’d spent 2 years in the al Qaeda affiliate, he was living in a rundown house in Niamey with no electricity or running water.
He said twice already, he’d tried to escape.
He said twice already, he’d tried to escape.
Violence doesn’t define the region, but it has fundamentally changed it.
In Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in 2014, there were 400-some deaths linked to political violence, according to @acleddata.bsky.social By 2024, that was more than 17k.
Map by @alvarovalino.bsky.social
In Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in 2014, there were 400-some deaths linked to political violence, according to @acleddata.bsky.social By 2024, that was more than 17k.
Map by @alvarovalino.bsky.social
February 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Violence doesn’t define the region, but it has fundamentally changed it.
In Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in 2014, there were 400-some deaths linked to political violence, according to @acleddata.bsky.social By 2024, that was more than 17k.
Map by @alvarovalino.bsky.social
In Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in 2014, there were 400-some deaths linked to political violence, according to @acleddata.bsky.social By 2024, that was more than 17k.
Map by @alvarovalino.bsky.social
This past weekend, @washingtonpost.com published our 16-page special section on the Sahel — a region of the world that over the past decade has been transformed by conflict.
A thread below of reporting highlights from 12+ trips to the region & each of the stories in 📰
A thread below of reporting highlights from 12+ trips to the region & each of the stories in 📰
February 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
This past weekend, @washingtonpost.com published our 16-page special section on the Sahel — a region of the world that over the past decade has been transformed by conflict.
A thread below of reporting highlights from 12+ trips to the region & each of the stories in 📰
A thread below of reporting highlights from 12+ trips to the region & each of the stories in 📰
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union had far less than the West to offer in development aid. So one of the ways it gained influence was through grants for students, said @ulflaessing.bsky.social
Our @washingtonpost.com story in print today on the role of those students now: wapo.st/42aGp6Q
Our @washingtonpost.com story in print today on the role of those students now: wapo.st/42aGp6Q
January 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union had far less than the West to offer in development aid. So one of the ways it gained influence was through grants for students, said @ulflaessing.bsky.social
Our @washingtonpost.com story in print today on the role of those students now: wapo.st/42aGp6Q
Our @washingtonpost.com story in print today on the role of those students now: wapo.st/42aGp6Q
He said that he never imagined that Russian flags would be flying and graffiti depicting Putin common. He said Russia doesn’t have the same development budget as France or the U.S.
“It’s not free, but the advantage is they are ready to give. And we understand each other right away.”
~end~
“It’s not free, but the advantage is they are ready to give. And we understand each other right away.”
~end~
January 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
He said that he never imagined that Russian flags would be flying and graffiti depicting Putin common. He said Russia doesn’t have the same development budget as France or the U.S.
“It’s not free, but the advantage is they are ready to give. And we understand each other right away.”
~end~
“It’s not free, but the advantage is they are ready to give. And we understand each other right away.”
~end~
He and the other students said that there was lots of ignorance — people who touched their skin, wondering why they were so dark — or followed them. But most said they ended up feeling welcomed
“One the ice was broken, they treated us like family,” said Clarisse Poda, who studied medicine
“One the ice was broken, they treated us like family,” said Clarisse Poda, who studied medicine
January 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
He and the other students said that there was lots of ignorance — people who touched their skin, wondering why they were so dark — or followed them. But most said they ended up feeling welcomed
“One the ice was broken, they treated us like family,” said Clarisse Poda, who studied medicine
“One the ice was broken, they treated us like family,” said Clarisse Poda, who studied medicine
Lots of the former students had fascinating stories about showing up in Russia — knowing virtually knowing no Russian and often not having ever left Burkina before.
Boureima Sangaré said he slept for four days when he arrived in 1974 because it was so cold and dark. He stayed for nine years…
Boureima Sangaré said he slept for four days when he arrived in 1974 because it was so cold and dark. He stayed for nine years…
January 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Lots of the former students had fascinating stories about showing up in Russia — knowing virtually knowing no Russian and often not having ever left Burkina before.
Boureima Sangaré said he slept for four days when he arrived in 1974 because it was so cold and dark. He stayed for nine years…
Boureima Sangaré said he slept for four days when he arrived in 1974 because it was so cold and dark. He stayed for nine years…
Tatiana Gontran, a Russian woman who has lived in Burkina Faso for decades with her husband, who studied in then-Leningrad, said that she was excited to share more about her language and culture when asked by people connected with the Russian embassy. Now, she helps run La Maison Russe
January 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Tatiana Gontran, a Russian woman who has lived in Burkina Faso for decades with her husband, who studied in then-Leningrad, said that she was excited to share more about her language and culture when asked by people connected with the Russian embassy. Now, she helps run La Maison Russe
Christian Ouédraogo was the one who connected former Prigozhin operative Viktor Lukovenko with Soumaïla Ayo, because he knew Ayo loved Russia and Lukovenko needed help covering the 2023 Tour du Faso.
Together, they then started African Initiative (story on that here: wapo.st/3Ps3JWp)
Together, they then started African Initiative (story on that here: wapo.st/3Ps3JWp)
January 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Christian Ouédraogo was the one who connected former Prigozhin operative Viktor Lukovenko with Soumaïla Ayo, because he knew Ayo loved Russia and Lukovenko needed help covering the 2023 Tour du Faso.
Together, they then started African Initiative (story on that here: wapo.st/3Ps3JWp)
Together, they then started African Initiative (story on that here: wapo.st/3Ps3JWp)
Many Gambian women don’t think about sex as being for enjoyment, said Seray Sidibeh, a 26-year-old studying computer science.
Only recently, she said, are women “starting to come out and say, ‘I don’t have pleasure.’”
Only recently, she said, are women “starting to come out and say, ‘I don’t have pleasure.’”
December 30, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Many Gambian women don’t think about sex as being for enjoyment, said Seray Sidibeh, a 26-year-old studying computer science.
Only recently, she said, are women “starting to come out and say, ‘I don’t have pleasure.’”
Only recently, she said, are women “starting to come out and say, ‘I don’t have pleasure.’”
Usually such discussions are taboo in Gambia, but women and men said that things are — slowly — starting to change.
December 30, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Usually such discussions are taboo in Gambia, but women and men said that things are — slowly — starting to change.
In the paper today, our @washingtonpost.com story about efforts by Africa Initiative to boost Russia’s popularity in Burkina Faso, where many say they’re desperately looking for allies as they confront soaring violence.
Free link: wapo.st/3OBH4Xf
Free link: wapo.st/3OBH4Xf
December 4, 2024 at 11:50 AM
In the paper today, our @washingtonpost.com story about efforts by Africa Initiative to boost Russia’s popularity in Burkina Faso, where many say they’re desperately looking for allies as they confront soaring violence.
Free link: wapo.st/3OBH4Xf
Free link: wapo.st/3OBH4Xf