These developments have led some analysts to believe Russia’s influence and ability to project power in the Sahel is waning, or that the Kremlin no longer considers the Sahel and other friendly states ...

The BBC has seen contracts that show that these hired soldiers were being paid around $5,000 (£4,000) a month.

The departure of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from West Africa's most influential bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), raises concerns, especially in the areas of security and ...