Rachel Chason

Washington, D.C.

West Africa bureau chief

Education: Duke University

Rachel Chason is The Washington Post's West Africa bureau chief. Before becoming a foreign correspondent in 2022, she was a reporter on the Local desk, focusing on politics and government in Prince George's County, Md.
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Latest from Rachel Chason

Gabon army officers announce seizure of power after presidential vote

About a dozen officers appeared on state TV to announce they were overturning President Ali Bongo’s third election win and suspending state institutions.

August 30, 2023

Before Prigozhin plane crash, Russia was preparing for life after Wagner

After Prigozhin’s presumed death, the Kremlin, internal Wagner factions and outside paramilitary forces are jockeying for control of a lucrative global empire.

August 28, 2023

Niger’s population struggles with daily life after coup

Electricity cuts, food price hikes and border closures are hitting hard in the already impoverished country.

August 27, 2023

As Niger’s crisis drags on, its West African neighbors are tested

Led by Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, the bloc has taken an assertive stance.

August 23, 2023

West African nations mobilize standby force as Niger crisis grinds on

West African governments struggled to chart a clear path out of the crisis in Niger during an emergency summit on Thursday.

August 10, 2023

U.S. seeks to balance security and human rights in turbulent West Africa

Senior U.S. officials are supporting nonlethal military assistance to Burkina Faso, which is threatened by Islamist militants and eyed by Russian mercenaries.

August 2, 2023

General declares himself Niger’s leader, citing ‘insecurity’ as reason for coup

Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani said the “harsh reality of insecurity" had led the soldiers to overthrow President Mohamed Bazoum.

July 28, 2023

Niger army backs coup, casting fight against Islamist militants into doubt

Even while Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum said democracy in the West African country would be protected, the rest of the military came out in support of the coup.

July 27, 2023

Soldiers in Niger claim president is ousted in coup

If successful, it would mark the latest in a string of coups in the region. But the status of President Mohamed Bazoum was not clear Wednesday night.

July 27, 2023

When the migrants vanished from this desert outpost, so did the jobs

The Nigerien city of Agadez had been counting on foreign aid to compensate. It didn’t.

July 13, 2023