ECOWAS–Sahel Diplomacy: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, newly elected ECOWAS chair, begins a high-stakes push for dialogue with Mali, aiming to ease tensions after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger withdrew and formed the AES. Niger Energy Push: Niger State has started work on a 100MW solar power plant after securing a $150m IsDB loan, with $10m local counterpart funding, to expand electricity access and jobs. Security in the Sahel: DSS arraigned five alleged Ansaru terrorists over the May 15 Oriire kidnappings and killings in Oyo State, while separate operations in Kwara rescued nine kidnapped victims and killed three bandits. Press Freedom Alarm: WAJSIC warns that media freedom is worsening across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger as journalists face legal pressure, surveillance, intimidation and exile. Local Governance Claim: APC says Niger State local councils enjoy full autonomy under the Supreme Court ruling on direct local government funding. Inflation Reality Check: Niger tops June inflation at 42.23%, underscoring that the national slowdown still leaves many states paying far higher prices.