A combined force of 5,000 troops from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon be deployed to address security challenges in the central Sahel region. ・5,000 troops from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will be deployed to address security challenges in central Sahel region.

The junta-led governments of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have established a joint military force aimed at addressing the escalating extremist violence in the Sahel region, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Niger’s defense minister.

Niger has freed an editor-in-chief arrested after his TV news channel aired a programme critical of the ruling junta, the broadcaster told AFP on Monday.

NIAMEY NIGER - A major journalist in Niger was in custody Saturday an association said a day after the private TV channel he runs was suspended follo

The railway will connect Kano to Jigawa State, on the northern border of Nigeria, and extend to Maradi, Niger. In addition, a new branch line will be constructed from Kano to Dutse in Jigawa State, Nigeria. The new railway line, with 13 stations, will span three states: Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, and extend to Niger.

CASABLANCA, Morocco -- Four Moroccan truck drivers who were kidnapped in West Africa over the weekend were released in Niger, officials said.

Niger’s defense minister says the junta-led West African countries of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have created a joint force that will soon be deployed in the restive Sahel region against rising extremist violence.

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.

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has appointed a former national security chief as envoy to the alliance formed by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, signalling his administration's intention to mend ties with the three military-led nations .

The juntas in the three countries left the Economic Community of West African States, the nearly 50-year-old regional bloc known as Ecowas, citing its domination by imperialist powers led by France, and created their own security partnership, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September last year.

Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have formed a joint 5,000-strong military force to combat extremist violence in the Sahel region. After expelling French forces, the countries now rely on Russia's mercenaries and aim to enhance coordination across air,