French President Emmanuel Macron says France would begin shutting its bases in northern Mali in the upcoming months.

Leaders of countries in the West Africa’s Sahel region have abandoned their hopes in purported counter-terrorism efforts by France and started negotiating with armed militants to bring peace to the restive region.

French President Emmanuel Macron rules out any immediate decrease in the number of French troops deployed to the Sahel region in West Africa.

The UN says more than two million people have been internally displaced by violence in Africa’s Sahel region.

The North African offshoot of the al-Qaeda terrorist group has reportedly appointed a new leader after confirming the death of its former leader killed in June.

Amnesty International says soldiers in three West African countries have illegally killed or caused the disappearance of nearly 200 people between February and April in anti-militancy operations.

The al-Qaeda and Daesh terrorist groups turn their guns on each other in Africa’s Sahel region.

At least 43 people are killed in raids on villages in northern Burkina Faso.

The UK's planned military deployment to Mali later this year is coming under close scrutiny by defence chiefs, military specialists and journalists.

A recent meeting by the Sahel G5 has called for aligned cooperation between the states comprising the Sahel region to improve security, justice, education and social cohesion.