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

As Russians plot against Chad, concerns mount over important U.S. ally

But critics say the Biden administration is making a mistake by giving Chad a pass over violence and repression at home.

April 24, 2023

Big Oil is selling off its polluting assets — with unintended consequences

Shell says its divestments in Nigeria help the company meet its green goals. But villagers and watchdogs say conditions have worsened after the sales.

March 27, 2023

Africa’s largest economy is running out of cash. Here’s why.

Nigeria is replacing high-denomination naira, but a shortage of new notes has led to protests and riots as millions stand in ATM lines for hours.

March 2, 2023

Nigeria’s Tinubu wins presidential election; opposition cries foul

The opposition parties say the results are invalid and a new election should be held.

March 1, 2023

As crises spiral, Nigerians are voting in tight presidential election

Third-party candidate Peter Obi is looking to upset contenders from Nigeria’s two main political parties: Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar.

February 25, 2023

What you need to know about Nigeria’s historic presidential election

Nigerians head to the polls for a presidential election that sees for the first time a wild-card third party candidate, Peter Obi, and no military front-runners.

February 24, 2023

In Nigeria’s election, young people seek to wield new power

Peter Obi's promises of reform have won a wide following among young people, who represent 70 percent of the population.

February 23, 2023

At least 40 dead in Senegal after two buses collide

President Macky Sall declared three days of mourning following the crash.

January 8, 2023

African scuba divers rewrite a ‘settlers’ narrative’ of the slave trade

Off the coast of Senegal, they have been exploring what are believed to be sunken slave ships, as part of a Smithsonian-supported program.

November 17, 2022

African moviegoers rave over ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

“It shows that cinema is not just for the West,” a father in Senegal said of the highly anticipated sequel.

November 15, 2022