The decision took effect immediately on June 26, according to a government statement broadcast on national television on Friday. The ruling junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, said France continued to pursue “neo-colonial ambitions” and accused Paris of supporting subversive networks and terrorist groups operating in Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel region.

France had not immediately responded publicly to the allegations.

The government said the move applied solely to diplomatic relations between the two states and would not affect the longstanding historical, cultural, social and people-to-people ties linking the Burkinabe and French populations.

Traore seized power in a military coup in September 2022 and has since adopted policies that have distanced Burkina Faso from Western partners, particularly France, while tightening control over domestic political opposition and critical voices.

Burkina Faso has faced a worsening security crisis for more than a decade, with insurgent groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Daesh carrying out frequent attacks across the country and neighboring states in the Sahel, contributing to one of the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crises.

The diplomatic rupture reflects a broader geopolitical realignment across parts of West and Central Africa, where military governments have increasingly reduced cooperation with France while strengthening political, security and economic ties with Russia and other non-Western partners.

France, which maintained extensive political and military influence across francophone Africa after independence, has in recent years pledged to move away from its long-criticized “Françafrique” policy as anti-French sentiment has grown across several former colonies.

The statement came after Iran said it had carried out strikes against targets linked to U.S. forces in the region, though Tehran did not identify the locations or specify the targets involved.

Bahrain said the reported drone attacks constituted a violation of its sovereignty but did not immediately provide details on the number of drones, the locations targeted or whether there were casualties or damage.

The incident marks a further escalation in regional tensions as military exchanges involving Iran and the United States continue despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a broader agreement to end the conflict.

There was no immediate independent verification of the reported attacks, and Iranian authorities did not directly comment on Bahrain’s accusations beyond their earlier statement that strikes had been carried out against U.S.-linked targets in the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the United States was increasingly acting as a party to the conflict rather than an impartial broker, following recent commitments by Group of Seven leaders to intensify economic pressure on Russia and expand support for Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

“As for the United States, judging by their actions, they appear to be abandoning any claim to the role of an objective mediator and are instead pursuing a course of escalating sanctions pressure on Russia,” Lavrov told foreign diplomats in Moscow.

The remarks come as U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to secure a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine remain largely at a standstill. President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025 after pledging to swiftly end the conflict, has sought to encourage direct engagement between the two sides. However, negotiations have produced little tangible progress amid deep disagreements over territorial and security issues.

During a summit in France earlier this month, G7 leaders endorsed a joint statement reaffirming support for Ukraine and calling for stronger measures against Russia’s wartime economy. The communiqué included commitments to increase deliveries of air-defense equipment to Kyiv and tighten sanctions targeting Russian revenue streams, particularly in the energy sector.

Lavrov also criticized European governments for expanding military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that the continent was contributing to instability rather than promoting a diplomatic resolution.

“Europe is once again becoming a major threat to international peace and security,” Lavrov said, referring to ongoing military support provided by European allies to Kyiv.

The conflict, now in its fifth year, began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and remains Europe’s deadliest war since World War Two.

A central obstacle to negotiations remains Moscow’s demand that Ukraine withdraw its forces from parts of the eastern Donbas region still under Kyiv’s control as a prerequisite for broader peace talks. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected the proposal, arguing that territorial concessions would encourage further Russian demands and undermine the country’s sovereignty.

With both sides maintaining positions that remain far apart, prospects for a breakthrough in negotiations appear limited despite continued diplomatic contacts and international mediation efforts.

Kim made the remarks during a three-day plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea that concluded on Monday, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In a closing speech, Kim reaffirmed what KCNA described as the government’s commitment to rapidly strengthening national defense capabilities amid what North Korea views as a deteriorating regional security environment.

“The steadfast policy stand of our Party and state is to beef up the national defense capabilities faster,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

North Korea remains subject to multiple international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The Korean Peninsula technically remains in a state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty.

According to KCNA, Kim accused Washington and Seoul of intensifying military preparations, citing efforts to modernize armed forces and developments related to South Korea’s pursuit of advanced naval capabilities, including plans involving nuclear-powered submarines.

Kim said such actions were pushing the Korean Peninsula “to the brink of a nuclear war” and argued that North Korea must continue expanding what he described as a reliable self-defense deterrent.

The party meeting concluded that strengthening the country’s nuclear forces remained the most effective way to respond to evolving international military and political challenges, KCNA reported. It added that efforts to develop a strategic deterrent based on nuclear technology would proceed at an accelerated pace.

The statements reinforce Pyongyang’s long-standing position that its nuclear arsenal is central to national security and non-negotiable. North Korea has repeatedly characterized itself as an irreversible nuclear weapons state since the collapse of denuclearization talks between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi in 2019.

Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s influential sister, reiterated that position earlier this month, describing the country’s nuclear doctrine as a “line of no retreat” and signaling continued resistance to future disarmament demands.

The latest comments come amid renewed discussion of North Korea policy following talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump during the Group of Seven summit in France earlier this month.

Lee said Trump agreed that new approaches may be required to address North Korea’s nuclear program. The South Korean leader also argued that existing sanctions have not produced the intended results and that Pyongyang cannot be approached in the same manner as other nuclear-related challenges.

North Korea’s latest pledge to accelerate military development underscores the continued stalemate in denuclearization diplomacy and highlights the widening gap between Pyongyang’s strategic objectives and international efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Tshisekedi, 63, is scheduled to complete his second five-year mandate in December 2028. Under the current constitution, presidents are limited to two terms. However, a recently approved bill establishing procedures for national referendums could provide a legal mechanism for constitutional amendments, including potential changes to presidential term limits.

The legislation has cleared both chambers of parliament, where Tshisekedi’s ruling coalition holds a strong majority, and now awaits presidential approval.

Speaking at a recent news conference in Kinshasa, Tshisekedi said he was not actively seeking a third term but indicated he would be open to continuing in office if supported by voters.

“I didn’t seek a third term, but if the people want me to have a third term, I will accept,” Tshisekedi said, adding that any constitutional revision would require consultation with the Congolese public through a referendum.

The prospect of constitutional reform has generated growing political tensions in the vast Central African nation, where previous attempts by leaders to extend their rule have sparked unrest and international criticism.

Political analyst Ithiel Batumike of the Ebuteli research institute said the referendum legislation represented a significant step toward constitutional change and warned that opponents would need sustained pressure to block the initiative.

“Without sufficient pressure, those in power have no intention of stopping their plan to change the constitution,” Batumike said.

Opposition leaders argue that altering presidential term limits would weaken democratic institutions and reverse constitutional protections designed to ensure peaceful transfers of power.

Earlier this month, security forces and supporters of the ruling coalition clashed with demonstrators protesting the referendum bill in Kinshasa. Human rights organizations reported fatalities and injuries during the unrest, while authorities provided lower casualty figures and denied allegations of excessive force.

Martin Fayulu, a prominent opposition figure and former presidential candidate, accused Tshisekedi of violating the principles he pledged to uphold when taking office.

Another opposition leader, Delly Sesanga, warned that reopening debate on the constitution could threaten political stability at a time when the country faces significant security challenges.

The controversy is unfolding as government forces continue to confront the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement in eastern Congo. The insurgency has captured strategic urban centers and displaced large numbers of civilians, creating one of the country’s most serious security crises in years.

Government officials have repeatedly argued that ongoing conflict in the east could complicate preparations for future national elections. Political observers note that delaying elections because of security concerns has historically been used by some African leaders as an alternative means of extending time in office when constitutional reforms encounter resistance.

The issue carries particular historical significance in Congo, where former President Joseph Kabila abandoned efforts to prolong his rule after widespread protests and international pressure erupted over proposed electoral changes in 2015.

At the time, Tshisekedi, then an opposition leader, publicly criticized attempts to extend presidential tenure and called for respect for democratic processes.

With the referendum bill awaiting presidential approval and opposition groups planning further demonstrations, the debate over constitutional reform is likely to become a defining issue in Congolese politics ahead of the 2028 election cycle.

The growing strategic importance of remote forested areas has prompted governments in the region to designate large swaths of land as military zones, reflecting concerns that insurgent groups are using dense vegetation to plan attacks, move personnel and sustain logistical networks beyond the reach of state forces.

In Mali, authorities this month declared the 80,000-hectare Faya forest and 38 other forests and parks off-limits to civilians, describing them as potential sanctuaries for armed groups. The measure followed a series of major attacks carried out by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in the Sahel, and allied Tuareg separatist fighters.

The forests covered by the decree form a broad corridor stretching across southern Mali from the borders with Senegal and Mauritania to Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire.

Analysts say such areas provide militants with significant operational advantages. Sparse state presence, limited infrastructure and the absence of permanent settlements make surveillance and enforcement difficult, allowing insurgent groups to establish enduring footholds.

“These are large natural areas that are sometimes not very well controlled by the state,” said Franklin Nossiter, a Sahel analyst at the International Crisis Group. He said the lack of military installations and administrative infrastructure in many forest zones has made them attractive locations for militant activity.

Similar security measures have been implemented in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, where authorities have increasingly restricted civilian access to forested regions associated with militant operations.

In Niger’s Torodi region, a heavily wooded area near the Burkina Faso border, officials have designated sections of territory as restricted military zones due to persistent attacks by armed groups.

Local industry representatives say militants regard logging and transport activities as threats to their shelter networks. A timber sector official told AFP that dozens of trucks had been destroyed and more than 20 transport workers killed in attacks linked to insurgent groups operating in the area.

Security researchers argue that militant organizations now view forests as more than defensive hideouts. Samir Bhattacharya of the Observer Research Foundation said sustained military pressure in urban centers and improved aerial surveillance have encouraged insurgents to establish permanent bases in remote woodland areas.

The terrain also offers economic opportunities. Militants have increasingly exploited informal economies linked to mining, livestock grazing, smuggling routes and poaching to finance their operations and strengthen local influence.

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), the continued use of forests and nature reserves by militant groups demonstrates a deliberate long-term strategy rather than temporary adaptation.

JNIM initially expanded through the W-Arly-Pendjari complex of parks and reserves spanning parts of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. The region’s proximity to several international borders has enabled insurgents to move across jurisdictions while avoiding concentrated military pressure.

Meanwhile, the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) has developed networks in forested and hilly areas along the Niger-Nigeria frontier, conflict monitors say.

Military efforts to dislodge militants have faced significant challenges. Analysts note that dense vegetation reduces the effectiveness of drone surveillance and air strikes, while difficult terrain limits the mobility of armored vehicles and conventional ground forces.

Experts also caution that aggressive counterinsurgency operations in forest areas could carry risks if civilians are harmed or displaced. Such outcomes, they argue, could fuel local grievances and potentially aid recruitment efforts by militant organizations.

The growing contest for control of the Sahel’s forests underscores the evolving nature of the region’s insurgencies, where geography, local economies and weak state presence have become increasingly central to the conflict.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that Sudan’s conflict had expanded and intensified, with armed groups increasingly using drones in attacks.

The UN rights office documented more than 1,000 civilian deaths linked to drone strikes between January and May 2026, Turk said.Sudan has been gripped by a prolonged conflict that has caused widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.

The escalation of drone attacks has added another layer of danger for civilians caught between rival forces, as fighting continues across several parts of the country.

The UN has repeatedly raised concerns over the impact of the conflict on civilians and called for greater protection of non-combatants.

The 416 captives, all taken from Ngoshe village in Borno State, regained their freedom on Saturday, according to community representatives involved in efforts to secure their release.

Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), said the organization helped facilitate communication between the abductors and affected families and confirmed that all those kidnapped from Ngoshe had been released.

“We have secured the release of all the 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe,” Kaigama told journalists.

The release was also confirmed by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in Nigeria’s Senate. However, neither Ndume nor BOSYA disclosed how the captives’ freedom was obtained.

Authorities have consistently maintained that the Nigerian government does not pay ransoms to secure the release of hostages. Nevertheless, security analysts and local observers have long argued that ransom payments frequently occur through various channels, including negotiations involving families, intermediaries and local actors.

The circumstances surrounding the latest release remain unclear, with neither government officials nor community mediators providing details about any negotiations that may have taken place.

The incident underscores the continuing threat posed by Boko Haram and other armed groups operating across Nigeria despite years of military campaigns against insurgents.

Ngoshe, located less than 10 kilometers from the border with Cameroon in the mountainous Gwoza area, lies within a region historically regarded as a stronghold of Boko Haram militants. The community has repeatedly been targeted during the insurgency.

Kidnapping has evolved into one of the most lucrative tactics employed by armed groups in Nigeria. Militants, criminal gangs commonly known as bandits and separatist organizations increasingly rely on abductions for financial gain, targeting villagers, students, travelers and local officials.

According to a report by Lagos-based security consultancy SBM Intelligence, ransom payments across Nigeria totaled approximately $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025, highlighting the scale of the country’s abduction crisis.

Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009 with the aim of overthrowing the Nigerian state and imposing its interpretation of Islamic rule. The conflict has since fractured into multiple armed factions and evolved into one of Africa’s longest-running security crises.

The violence has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions across northeastern Nigeria and neighboring countries, while recurring attacks and kidnappings continue to challenge efforts to stabilize the region.

The attacks occurred between May 31 and June 3, coinciding with voting in Ethiopia’s parliamentary elections on June 1, which the OLA had previously threatened to disrupt. While authorities confirmed the incidents and blamed the insurgent group, they did not provide an official casualty figure.

Witnesses in Arsi zone told AFP that OLA fighters attacked the village of Eleta Chefa on multiple occasions, killing residents and forcing thousands to flee. Two residents said they personally knew 11 people who were killed during the assaults.

A medical worker who treated victims from several affected communities said he had counted 56 deaths and approximately 50 injuries linked to attacks across multiple localities during the four-day period. The figures could not be independently verified because access to conflict-affected areas remains heavily restricted and official information has been limited.

One survivor said armed militants used rifles to target residents, adding that Orthodox Christians, whom attackers allegedly viewed as sympathetic to the federal government, were among those targeted. He also said Muslims who attempted to protect their neighbors came under attack.

The witness estimated that as many as 3,000 people, including women, children and elderly residents, fled the area following the violence. Another resident said Eleta Chefa was attacked twice, on May 31 and June 1, and reported extensive destruction of homes, crops and livestock.

The medical worker said many displaced residents remained scattered across forests, churches and relatives’ homes, complicating humanitarian assistance efforts. He described treating injuries caused by rifle fire, heavy weapons and sharp-edged weapons.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office issued a statement on Friday expressing condolences to victims and their families, while reaffirming the government’s position that the attacks were carried out by the OLA.

The OLA rejected accusations of responsibility in a statement posted on X, instead accusing government authorities of fueling communal violence in the region.

The violence highlights the continuing instability in parts of Oromia despite the federal government’s broader efforts to consolidate control following years of conflict across Ethiopia. The OLA, which the government has designated a terrorist organization, has expanded significantly since 2018 and remains one of the country’s most active insurgent movements.

Although the group is not considered capable of threatening the federal government directly, it has repeatedly been linked to deadly attacks and insecurity across Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regional state.

Official election results have yet to be announced, though Prime Minister Abiy’s Prosperity Party is widely expected to secure another commanding victory, extending its dominance of Ethiopian politics despite ongoing security concerns in several parts of the country.

The national holiday marks May 25, 2000, when Israeli forces ended a 22-year presence in southern Lebanon following years of conflict. This year’s commemoration came amid continuing hostilities along the Israeli-Lebanese border, prompting Lebanese officials to emphasize the unresolved security situation in the south.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the anniversary should serve as a moment of national solidarity with families affected by the ongoing conflict, including those who have lost relatives, been wounded, displaced or remain in frontline communities.

In a statement posted on social media, Salam said Lebanon would reserve celebrations until Israeli forces had fully withdrawn from Lebanese territory and displaced residents could safely return to their homes.
President Joseph Aoun described the 2000 withdrawal as the result of sacrifices made by residents of southern Lebanon, calling the anniversary a symbol of national dignity.

He said, however, that the occasion was being observed amid continued military operations in southern villages and what he characterized as ongoing violations of international resolutions, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to securing a complete Israeli withdrawal through diplomatic negotiations while emphasizing the role of the Lebanese state and armed forces in safeguarding national sovereignty.

The statements came as tensions remained elevated in southern Lebanon. Residents of 10 villages were ordered to evacuate on Monday as bombardments continued and concerns mounted over a broader escalation along the border region.

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed at least 18 people and wounded 21 others. The ministry said the cumulative death toll linked to the conflict had reached 3,151.

The anniversary has long held symbolic significance in Lebanon’s modern history, marking the end of Israel’s military presence in most of southern Lebanon after more than two decades. This year, however, the observance reflected the extent to which renewed cross-border hostilities have reshaped the country’s political and security landscape.

Lebanese leaders used the occasion to underscore both the legacy of the 2000 withdrawal and the challenges posed by the current conflict, as military operations and civilian displacement continue to affect communities across the south.