Mali

In a report presented to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Mali's ruling junta to "accelerate" the pace of the handover, in order to return power to elected civilians by early 2024 as promised.

Militants affiliated to Islamic State group have taken Tidermene in Mali, further isolating the regional capital, Menaka, in a region that has fallen almost entirely under their control, officials and witnesses told AFP on Wednesday.

The UN mission in Mali has been hampered politically and operationally by the ruling junta. The UN secretary-general is now drawing up a list of conditions the junta must meet if the mission is to stay on in the country. 

Reporters Without Borders published on Monday an investigation into the colossal dangers journalists face while working in the Sahel, the vast, semi-arid region beset by jihadism, armed groups and instability. The NGO fears this part of West Africa is becoming a no-go area for journalists. 

In order to promote Mali's new draft constitution, Colonel Assimi Goita, head of the country's junta, meets with religious leaders, politicians and civil society. … This Constitution is the starting point of the vast reform project initiated by the transitional authorities in Mali for the return to civilian power. 

Mali's military rulers have moved to postpone a constitutional referendum, which they themselves had scheduled for March 19. However, authorities say they'll maintain the previously agreed timeline to return to civilian rule.

Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga speaks to Al Jazeera about the security situation in the West African country after the departure of troops from France.

Mali’s ruling junta has strongly warned Algeria and other partners about threats to a major peace deal with northern armed groups, in a letter obtained by AFP Wednesday.

Weeks ahead of a referendum meant to move Mali closer to constitutional order, the senior United Nations official in the country — emphasizing that the situation stands at a critical juncture, amid sustained security and humanitarian crises — welcomed a new strategic review of the Organization’s peacekeeping mission as a fresh opportunity to chart the best way forward.

Three Senegalese peacekeepers serving in Mali were killed, and five others seriously injured, when their vehicle hit an explosive device, the UN Mission in the country, MINUSMA, reported on Tuesday.