The handover of the last French military base in Chad and the Sahel marks a loss of influence for Paris and European interests in the region. View on euronews

France officially ended its decades-long military presence in Chad, its last stronghold in the West African region. The shift is part of a larger movement to push France out of the area.

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 Sahel Can Revolutionize Renewable Energy Access and Affordability Up to the Last Mile (By Reshmi Theckethil)

"The rise of junta rule in the Sahel represents a complex interplay between decolonization and destabilization."

The Sahel region is a geographical belt in Africa that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, between the Sahara Desert in the north and the Savannah in the south. It is characterised by challenging environmental crises and conflicts.

A source who asked for anonymity said Emptech is not involved in the production of the new passport for the three Sahel states.

Former diplomats on Thursday warned that the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States could undermine regional stability, potentially escalating insurgency and extremism in the Sahel.

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.

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

Governments seeking more revenue from mines operated by Australian, Canadian and French companies Imouraren Mana The Barron's news department was not involved in the creation of the content above. This article was produced by AFP.

The two organizations helped journalists in Africa's Sahel region learn mobile journalism and safety while reporting on conflicts. They also gave out the annual Pax Sahel prize in recognition of journalism excellence.