Niger's coup leaders have tried to expel France's ambassador, but Paris says it doesn't recognize their authority to order him out. Macron said on TV he was "literally" a "hostage," stuck in the French Embassy in Niamey.

Three West African countries ruled by military juntas have signed a mutual defense pact. Mali and Burkina Faso had previously promised to come to Niger's aid in the event of an attack.

China has sharply rejected statements made by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in the United States about Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina faults global finance architecture.

Olympic bobsledder Aja Evans has filed a lawsuit against the USA Bobsled doctor, alleging he sexually abused her and her teammates. The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Jonathan Wilhelm inappropriately groped Evans under medical pretenses. Evans claims she previously reported Wilhelm for photographing and recording the team while they were changing without consent.

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The foreign minister of Mali told the UN General Assembly that any military intervention in Niger would threaten Mali's security. The juntas in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso signed a mutual defense pact last week.

He's an inspiration for many scientists. And now a book has been released about Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, known for his work on the Ebola virus and Covid-19. The author is hoping that more Congolese will follow in his footsteps. Meanwhile, two people have been killed in the malian city of Timbuktu, a month after a jihadist group has declared war in the region. Finally, search and rescue teams continue to look for missing people in the flood stricken Libyan city of Derna.

This week in Across Africa, Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Namibian President Hage Geingob ahead of his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly. He shares his perspective on governance, the impact of Africa's first climate change summit and the role of the African Union in responding to regional upheaval.

The French president said military cooperation with the West African nation would end and France's soldiers stationed there would return home by the end of the year.

This week in Across Africa, Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Namibian President Hage Geingob ahead of his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly. He shares his perspective on governance, the impact of Africa's first climate change summit and the role of the African Union in responding to regional upheaval.

The German and US defense ministers have said they see no immediate need to leave Niger, following France's decision to withdraw troops. Niamey's junta has been more focused on the former colonial power's presence.