Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will leave the Ecowas group in January but have six months to return.

The road could breathe new life into West Africa's regional bloc, Ecowas.

The 50-year-old is being held after being extradited from Italy, according to reports.

A shadowy operative appears to overstep his mark in the battle for Russian influence in Africa.

The prime minister had criticised the junta's lack of clarity in the transition to democratic rule.

Prosecutors say he led a "reign of terror" after the city was overrun by an al-Qaeda-linked group in 2012.

Resolute Mining's British boss Terry Holohan and two other staff were unexpectedly detained 10 days ago.

The comments were delivered at a gathering of foreign ministers as the Kremlin continues to woo Africa.