ECOWAS deadline to Niger coup leaders passes without incident. Forces led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani overthrew President Baozum on 26 July, prompting backlash from the regional body. ECOWAS is currently chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. President Tinubu’s request for the authorization of force in their neighbour to the north was rejected by the Nigerian Senate. The coup government has closed Nigerian airspace in anticipation of retaliation as tens of thousands of citizens gathered at a stadium in Niamey to demonstrate their support for the military. Ken Opalo puts the coups across the Sahel in a broader perspective.

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko continues his hunger strike after being hospitalised on 6 August. Sonko is protesting his arrest on charges that he alleges are politically motivated to disqualify him from running in the 2024 election.

• See all the winning pictures from the 2023 Contemporary African Photography awards.
• The New Yorker on the rising popularity of South Africa’s Amapiano music.
• Morocco is the last African team in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, after Nigeria’s close loss to England in penalty kicks.

‍

Image: Details of the uniform of an officer of the army of Niger. 3 June 2015. Photo credit: Jebulon.