In a heart-wrenching incident, a pirogue carrying migrants set sail from the Senegalese coast on July 10th, only to meet a grim fate off the shores of Cape Verde.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed that more than 60 migrants are presumed dead, with only 38 survivors, including four children aged twelve to sixteen.

The ill-fated boat was spotted approximately 150 nautical miles off the Cape Verdean island of Sal by a Spanish fishing vessel. Authorities were alerted, leading to a joint effort by rescuers.

Tragically, alongside the survivors, the remains of seven individuals were recovered from the vessel.

The Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other sources provided testimonies from survivors, revealing that the boat embarked on its journey with 101 passengers from the town of Fass Boye.

Most passengers were Senegalese, with one person hailing from Bissau-Guinean. This tragic event leaves 56 people missing, a grim reality emphasized by the authorities’ presumption that those unaccounted for have perished.

Despite the Cape Verdean authorities’ mobilization of resources to support the survivors, the incident underscores the perilous nature of the maritime migration route used by African migrants to seek refuge in Europe.

The route, plagued by weather fluctuations and navigational challenges, results in a significant loss of lives each year. Migrants, seeking better prospects, undertake the treacherous journey in modest boats, often provided by smugglers for a fee.

The recent tragedy also underscores Senegal’s ongoing struggles with migration-related accidents. Just months earlier, a boat sank near Dakar, claiming the lives of sixteen migrants, while others met their demise off the coast of Morocco.

In response to these heartrending events, the Senegalese government has introduced a comprehensive national strategy to combat irregular migration. The strategy focuses on various aspects, including prevention, border control, repression, and the safe return and reintegration of migrants.

As the survivors recover and the authorities work to repatriate the victims, this heartbreaking incident serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures and international cooperation to prevent further tragedies along these perilous migration routes.

At least 17 Nigerien soldiers have tragically lost their lives, while 20 others sustained injuries in an attack suspected to be orchestrated by jihadists. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the vicinity of the Niger-Mali border, as confirmed by the country’s defense ministry based in Niamey.

In a statement released late Tuesday evening, the defense ministry reported that the attack took place during the early afternoon. A convoy of the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) was ambushed near the town of Koutougou while moving between Boni and Torodi.

The provisional count reveals that 17 soldiers have been killed, with 20 more wounded, six of whom are in critical condition. All injured personnel have been promptly evacuated to Niamey. A sweeping operation is currently underway to neutralize any remaining threats.

The Nigerien army has shared that they effectively thwarted the attackers, destroying two columns of over fifty motorcycles each as they attempted to withdraw. This operation led to the neutralization of more than a hundred terrorists, making it a significant victory against the assailants.

The Koutougou area, situated near the Mali border in the Tillabéri region, has become a notorious hotspot for Sahelian jihadists, including elements of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). Despite substantial anti-jihadist forces deployed in the region, it remains a vulnerable target for attacks.

This recent attack marks the deadliest incident since the coup on July 26, which resulted in the ousting of elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani and his military regime, cited the deteriorating security situation as their primary reason for taking control.

The Tillabéri region, known as the “three borders” area due to its proximity to Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, has long been a center of activity for extremist groups.

Prior to the coup, France collaborated with the Nigerien army in countering these jihadist forces, deploying around 1,500 soldiers in Niger.

However, the new military leadership in Niamey has shifted its focus to France, accusing the former colonial power of attempting to intervene militarily to reinstate President Bazoum. This development highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics and challenges facing the region in its ongoing battle against terrorism.

In a troubling development, tensions have surged between the Nigerien military authorities and Côte d’Ivoire, as a result of recent remarks made by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.

The situation escalated when coup leaders from Niger recalled their envoy in Abidjan on Monday (Aug. 14).

President Ouattara’s comments, made after a summit of the ECOWAS on August 10, hinted at a potential military operation that he suggested should “start as soon as possible.”

President Ouattara’s statement, however, has sparked a strong rebuke from the Nigerien side. In a detailed response, Ouattara’s eagerness for an immediate military action against Niger was labeled “illegal and senseless” by the coup leaders.

“Far from being the expression of the will of the brotherly Ivorian people, whose friendship with the people of Niger is unequivocal, this unusual declaration by President Ouattara and his eagerness to carry out an aggression against Niger which is in every way illegal and senseless, reflects in reality an order addressed to him and certain of his peers in the ECOWAS by other external powers, with the aim of preserving interests that no longer match those of today’s Niger.”

They accused him of acting under the influence of external powers, rather than representing the true wishes of the Ivorian people.

The regional tensions have brought into question the viability of a military intervention in Niger. Last week, ECOWAS leaders had mandated the deployment of a “standby force,” raising concerns among experts regarding the feasibility and risks of such an operation.

The ECOWAS “standby force” has previously been utilized for peacekeeping missions in countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Gambia.

Experts believe that executing a military operation in Niger poses significant challenges. The country’s vast and hostile terrain could complicate a land offensive, while doubts persist about the effectiveness of an air operation targeting the presidential palace where the ousted president is reportedly held.

The Nigerien military boasts an estimated strength of around 30,000 soldiers, with approximately 11,000 deployed in the theater of operations.

Despite the willingness of Senegal, Benin, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire to send troops, there is internal criticism and hesitation from other West African countries, revealing underlying divisions within ECOWAS.

The complex nature of such an operation necessitates thorough negotiations and coordination among contributing nations, a process often mired in mistrust.

As the situation unfolds, the international community watches with bated breath, aware of the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead for the region.

The delicate balance between diplomatic efforts and military interventions remains a key concern for ECOWAS leaders grappling with the escalating crisis in Niger.