Growing insecurity in the Sahel made 2025 one of the worst years on record for the abduction of foreigners in Africa.
Insurgents have carried out a wave of drone strikes on military positions in the region.
The US signals that restoring democracy is no longer a priority and it is ready to work with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Prosecutors say Mamadou Hawa Gassama described Alassane Ouattara as a "tyrant" and "an enemy of Mali".
Jihadists have been targeting tankers entering Mali, worsening the country’s fuel shortage.
The two states say they are taking reciprocal measures after the US announced full-entry restrictions on their citizens.
The US will restrict entry of people from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria as well as holders of Palestinian Authority passports.
Plotters misjudged the national mood and Benin's neighbours learnt from past errors, says analyst Paul Melly.
Refugees have given the BBC a harrowing account of atrocities committed by the Russian paramilitary force.
