Deadly Attack Highlights Growing Instability in Burkina Faso & the Sahel
Burkina Faso faces escalating violence as an armed group, suspected to be the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, stormed a military base killing around 50 soldiers. This attack underscores the broader security collapse across the Sahel region, where Islamist insurgencies exploit political instability and control over valuable resources. With militant groups vying for power and access to the coast, governments struggle to contain the worsening crisis.
See More
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Bangladesh to hold parliamentary elections in February 2026, announces Yunus
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has announced a parliamentary election for February 2026, just ahead of Ramadan, amid public frustration over political instability and the banning of former PM Sheikh Hasina's party. read more People hold Bangladesh's national flag as they celebrate during a government-organised event in Dhaka on August 5, 2025. AFP Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, declared on Tuesday that the parliamentary election will be held in February 2026, one year after a student-led rebellion ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 'On behalf of the interim government, I will write a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting that the election be arranged before Ramadan in February 2026,' Yunus said in a broadcast on the one-year anniversary of the ousting of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier Tuesday, Yunus commemorated the anniversary of the revolt by stating that its spirit will shape the future of South Asia's democratic system. However, the event took place amid mounting anger with the interim administration's failure to restore order and limit political squabbling. The election date has been one concern. The treatment of Hasina's now-banned political party is another. Yunus has promised an internationally acceptable election, but his critics say it could be questionable without her Awami League party as it still has a significant support base. Hasina has been in exile in neighboring India since Aug. 5 last year, following her 15-year rule. She faces trial for crimes against humanity over the hundreds of deaths during the student-led uprising. Yunus had sought an April election, but major political parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, sought a February vote. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his past work developing microcredit markets, was flanked by senior leaders of major political parties as he announced a road map aimed at national unity, democratic reforms and inclusive governance. A student group that led the anti-Hasina movement had formed a political party, National Citizen Party, and campaigned for the declaration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami party were present. Zia is Hasina's archrival, and her party is the main contender for power in the election. The presence of the Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party, was especially visible on the streets of the capital, Dhaka. The supporters of its student wing carried the flags of Bangladesh and Palestine. Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with political parties struggling to find a way forward with inclusive politics. The rise of the Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist forces has drawn attention since Hasina's ouster.
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Bangladesh's soil will never be used against India, says Dhaka's new envoy in Delhi
The remarks come amid growing concerns about reports of the growth of Islamist groups in Bangladesh well as Dhaka's growing diplomatic engagement with China and Pakistan. 'Bangladeshi soil will never be used against Indian interests by anyone,' Hamidullah told ThePrint. New Delhi: Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, has reassured India that Bangladeshi territory will not serve as a base for anti-India activity, dismissing any concerns about Pakistani or Chinese influence. In an interaction with ThePrint, Hamidullah described India-Bangladesh ties as a decades-old relationship founded on mutual trust, shared economic interests and deep cultural connections. The diplomat also charted out a vision for the bilateral relationship that emphasised continuity, cultural kinship and long-term strategic convergence. 'India and Bangladesh have an opportunity to collaborate on learning and skill-building, not just to strengthen ties, but to create lasting value for both societies. The real challenge is this: can we shape our economic interests in a way that de-securitises the relationship?' Also Read: By reviving Hasina-era mango diplomacy with India, Yunus govt signals 'business as usual' India-Bangladesh relations Hamidullah expressed concern over the erosion of people-to-people ties, particularly after India suspended medical visas and other cross-border exchanges. 'People were hurt. The cultural affinity with India is real, but you can't neglect it and expect it to endure.' He offered the example of DPS Dhaka, an Indian school operating seamlessly in Bangladesh for over 20 years. 'Students there don't care if it's an Indian school or if the teachers are Hindu. Bring 10 more like it, and people will welcome them. That's who we are.' Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, Bangladesh's Hindu minority—seen as aligned with her secular Awami League—came under increasing threat. The perception that India supported Hasina's rule has fuelled anti-India sentiment, placing Hindus in a vulnerable position. With restrictions lifted on opposition groups like the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, violence has surged. In 2024, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported over 2,000 incidents of communal violence between 4 and 20 August 4, including nine Hindu deaths and dozens of attacks on temples. However, investigations by independent media later suggested that the killings were politically or personally motivated, rather than driven by religious hatred. Rather than force a 'grand design' on bilateral ties, Hamidullah suggested a slower, more organic approach. 'Borders won't soften overnight. Let things settle, like sediment after a tide. It's not an obstacle but a fertile layer. That is when it flourishes. That's how relationships grow, organically.' On isolated instances of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, he cautioned against sweeping generalisations. 'There are over 30,000 puja mandaps across the country. Communities live in harmony. A few cases of vandalism don't define our society.' He said that narratives of the rise of Islamism in Bangladesh are selective, emphasising that the country has always been driven more by cultural identities rather than religious identities. On 5 August, Bangladesh's then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina abruptly fled Dhaka aboard a military aircraft to India, ending her 15-year tenure amid a mass uprising against her increasingly authoritarian regime. The interim government, headed by Muhammad Yunus, was put in place to stabilise the country, implement reforms, and pave the way for free elections in 2026. Pakistan, China and regional blocs Hamidullah rejected the notion that Bangladesh's dealings with Pakistan or China reflect an ideological shift. In April, Pakistan's foreign secretary, Amna Baloch, visited Dhaka, marking the first high-level diplomatic contact between the two countries in 15 years. A planned visit by Pakistan's foreign minister, postponed due to India-Pakistan tensions, would have been the first since 2012. Since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Bangladesh has adopted a more neutral stance in regional affairs. With Hasina's close ties to India now a point of public resentment, anti-India sentiment has grown, creating diplomatic space for improved relations with Pakistan, including resumed trade, military dialogue, and eased visa restrictions. In January, a Bangladeshi military delegation held rare talks with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, reportedly expressing interest in acquiring JF-17 fighter jets jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Any potential arms deal could deepen Bangladesh-Pakistan ties and open the door to a trilateral alignment with China, raising alarm in New Delhi. For India, stronger military cooperation between its western rival and eastern neighbor, coupled with China's growing regional influence, presents a serious strategic concern. However, according to the envoy, there is no reason to worry. 'Even during Hasina's time, there was defence-level interaction with Pakistan. But that's not strategic realignment. Bangladesh won't allow its territory to be used for hostile purposes by anyone.' On China, he was frank: economic necessity drives engagement, not cultural affinity. 'We are an import-dependent economy. We source from where it's competitive.' He was also optimistic about the future of SAARC, often dismissed as defunct. 'SAARC isn't dead. The Development Fund is still active, and regional projects are quietly moving forward. The institutions are working, even if the politics aren't.' Also Read: Day after India's appeal to reconsider demolition, Yunus govt denies Satyajit Ray link to Bangladesh bldg A post-Hasina Bangladesh A recurring theme in Hamidullah's remarks was Bangladesh's youth. With a median age of 25 and over two million new entrants to the labour market each year, the country's younger generation, he noted, is focused on aspiration rather than allegiance. 'This is a new demography. They care about who will serve their future.' Many of these young people look toward India for opportunities in education, healthcare and work. According to Hamidullah, this creates a powerful potential for collaborative human development if India is willing to engage meaningfully. Beyond transactional diplomacy Hamidullah noted that despite political noise, core economic ties remain uninterrupted. Bilateral trade now stands at $13 billion, and total economic interaction, including medical tourism, remittances, and informal trade, is close to $30 billion. Indian exports to Bangladesh are growing at more than 11 percent annually. He sees particular potential in agro-ecological cooperation, especially across eastern India, northeast India and Bangladesh, which share similar environmental and farming conditions. 'None of us have truly understood how much potential lies here. If we get this right, it could transform livelihoods.' He also called for greater Indian investment, but more importantly, for a socially rooted relationship that moves beyond transactional diplomacy. 'Any lasting relationship must rest on trust, mutual respect, and shared benefit. Yes, India should invest more, but more than that, we need to start talking about society. That's where the real connection lies.' 'India-Bangladesh relationship has evolved organically, rooted in shared history and cultural ties. But in recent times, it has begun to lose momentum. We cannot allow this decline to continue. Too much has been achieved between our two nations to let it slip away,' Hamidullah told ThePrint. This is an updated version of the report (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: Sheikh Mujib failed miserably despite succeeding as people's leader, says author Manash Ghosh
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Supreme Court cancels DHFL's Dheeraj Wadhawan's bail, orders surrender in 2 weeks
The Supreme Court on Tuesday cancelled the bail granted to former Dewan Housing Finance Limited (DHFL) promoter Dheeraj Wadhawan in a multi-crore loan scam case. The bail, initially granted by the Delhi High Court on medical grounds, was revoked after the Supreme Court reviewed a report from the medical September 9, 2024, Wadhawan was granted bail by the Delhi High Court, which ruled that he qualified as a 'sick person,' warranting his release on medical grounds. However, a recent assessment by the Supreme Court led to a reversal of this decision. Wadhawan has been directed to surrender within two weeks, with assurances that jail authorities will provide the necessary medical Wadhawan, alongside his brother Kapil, was arrested in connection with a significant financial fraud case. The two were accused of defrauding a consortium of 17 banks, amounting to Rs 34,000 crore, marking it as one of the largest bank loan scams in India. The Wadhawan brothers were charged with engaging in a criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, and breach of trust. Allegations include manipulating records and diverting funds through circular transactions to generate personal media reports about fund diversion in January 2019, DHFL came under scrutiny. A consortium of banks appointed KPMG to conduct an audit, revealing fund diversions disguised as loans to DHFL-linked entities. The audit unveiled that Rs 29,100 crore was disbursed to 66 entities associated with DHFL promoters, with a significant portion of these funds invested in land and being arrested in 2022, Dheeraj Wadhawan was presented before a special court in Mumbai, leading to his judicial custody. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed charges citing financial irregularities and fund diversions within DHFL, leading to the eventual judicial proceedings against the Wadhawan brothers.- EndsMust Watch
