Sudan Siege and Humanitarian Alarm: El Obeid remains under siege in Sudan, with fears of another massacre like El Fasher as the war between government forces and the UAE-backed RSF grinds on. Sahel Travel Integration: Niger has enrolled President Abdourahamane Tiani for the Alliance of Sahel States’ biometric passport, marking progress after the bloc’s exit from ECOWAS-era travel documents. West African Wildlife: Scientists say only about 354 West African leopards remain, with numbers rising in one park but a worrying gap elsewhere, as habitat loss and hunting pressures persist. West Africa Security and Diplomacy: France’s ambassador in Nigeria urged a “strong Nigeria” to help the region fight terrorism, while warning that insecurity is reshaping West Africa’s stability. Regional Energy Push: Morocco’s $25bn pipeline segment for the West African Atlantic Gas Pipeline links West African gas to Europe, moving from studies into pre-construction. Sports Spotlight: Banyana Banyana named a Wafcon squad mixing experience and youth, while Bafana Bafana’s World Cup run lifted them in FIFA rankings. Human Trafficking Watch: A distress video from Mali has renewed alarm over trafficking routes moving Nigerian women and girls for forced labor and exploitation.