We now look at some of the stories making headlines in the West Africa and we speak to Political Scientist and Conflict resolution analyst, Dr David Matsanga

TALKING POINTS

**  Schools in Mali's capital, Bamako, have reopened this week after a two-week closure triggered by a nationwide fuel shortage. The disruption had halted public transport and left teachers and students stranded at home

** Meanwhile, France has joined the United States and the UK in urging its citizens to leave Mali because of the protests and unrest in the West Africa nation

** And the African Union calls for urgent international action on security crisis in Mali

** South Africa's former President, Jacob Zuma has met with Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traore' to discuss - what they described as - Africa's true liberation

** Niger keeps its border with Benin closed

** Guinea junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya has been given greenlight to run in the next month's presidential election

** Ghana is a step away to establishing a national airline