
France Bids Adieu to Its Military Mission in West Africa
But banishing the neocolonial approach is easier said than done.

How France Undermines Democracy in Chad
Paris’s uncritical embrace of late dictator Idriss Déby prioritized regional security over human rights. His death is an opportunity to change tack.

Biden Defaults to ‘War on Terror Approach’ to Chad
The U.S. president outlined big promises on human rights reforms. Critics say he’s already breaking them in Africa.

Why the World Won’t Criticize Chad
Western democracies look the other way as a dictatorial ally in the war on terror holds another election marred by violence and intimidation.

Outside Powers Are Making the Conflict in the Central African Republic Worse
Proxy wars pitting France and Chad against Russia and Rwanda threaten to destabilize the entire region while subjecting Central Africans to more violence and instability.

The U.N. Secretary-General Is Letting Powerful Countries Get Away With Killing Kids
By removing Saudi Arabia and other serial violators of children’s human rights from the annual list of shame, António Guterres is weakening one of the U.N.’s most effective accountability mechanisms.

As the World Is Distracted, Boko Haram Terrorists Strike a Key Western Ally
The battle against jihadi terrorism in Africa takes one of its deadliest turns yet, with consequences far beyond the region.

ISIS’s West African Offshoot Is Following al Qaeda’s Rules for Success
The amorphous Boko Haram splinter group is taking inspiration where it can get it and bringing disaster to the Lake Chad Basin in the process.

Cameroon’s Paul Biya Gives a Master Class in Fake Democracy
One of the world’s most experienced autocrats has clinched another seven-year term by bending the rules of the game in his direction in ways both old and new.

When Diplomacy Disappears
The Trump Administration’s lack of engagement has made the terrorist threat worse.

America Should Beware a Chadian Military Scorned
Stung by its inclusion on the Trump administration’s travel ban, Chad is already making life harder for U.S. troops in Africa.

Why Is Chad in Trump’s New Travel Ban?
Experts are puzzled by Trump’s decision to include a U.S. counterterrorism ally in the new travel restrictions.

Marine Le Pen Spends One of Her Last Weeks Campaigning for French Presidency in Chad and Russia
A busy week for Le Pen as she juggles offending Chadians and posing with Putin.

Longform’s Picks of the Week
The best stories from around the world.

This Punchline Has Been Approved for All Audiences
Chad’s most famous comedian used to skewer President Idriss Déby's notoriously abusive government. Then he got seduced by praise and gifts — and decided to campaign for the dictator instead.

Boko Haram Has Forced 1 Million Children Out of School
Boko Haram militants have forced 1 million children out of school.

Nigeria Scores Rare Victory Against Boko Haram
A mass surrender in a strategic fishing village indicates Buhari’s counterterrorism might have hope afterall.

Number of Children Displaced by Boko Haram Surpasses 1.4 Million
The number of children displaced by Boko Haram continues to grow despite pledges from government leaders they will stop the group.

Judgment Day for Hissène Habré
Twenty-five years after he fled to Senegal, Chad’s former dictator is on trial for allegedly overseeing the killing and torturing of thousands of his own people. Will his victims see justice?