Day: May 15, 2026

Senegal detains french national over homosexuality amid new anti-lgbtq+ law

Aïcha Abdou

In Senegal, a French national has been held in detention for three months following an arrest linked to allegations of homosexuality. The case comes amid a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in the country, where authorities have recently passed stricter legislation criminalizing same-sex relations. The individual, a 30-year-old engineer residing in Dakar, was taken into custody on February 14. According to official sources, the arrest was part of a sweeping operation targeting multiple individuals on charges including acts against nature, criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and attempted HIV transmission. Diplomatic intervention…

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APR condemns pape malick ndour’s arrest, points finger at ousmane sonko for alleged ‘dismantling plan’

Ousmane Tandja

The Alliance for the Republic (APR) has publicly declared its “profound indignation” regarding the recent arrest of its colleague, Pape Malick Ndour. This detention follows the execution of a warrant in connection with the PRODAC financial case. In a statement released by the party of former President Macky Sall, the APR asserts that Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was the first to announce this “hostage-taking,” thereby implicating him as the “instigator” behind the action. The APR contends that the accusations against Ndour, supposedly based on a 2018 report from the Inspectorate…

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Senegal’s electoral code reform: articles l29 and l30 signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Ousmane Tandja

The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has officially endorsed the revised articles L29 and L30 of the Electoral Code, marking a pivotal milestone in the nation’s electoral framework overhaul. This landmark decision, finalized following a second parliamentary review, sets the stage for critical implications in upcoming electoral processes. This legislative milestone comes after the draft amendments were initially returned by the Head of State on May 7, 2025, citing “procedural discrepancies.” The National Assembly reconvened in an expedited session, adopting the revised provisions by May 11, 2025, under urgent…

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Human rights concerns rise as Bamako faces ongoing road blockade

Ousmane Tandja

Amnesty International issued an urgent appeal on Friday, May 15, 2026, demanding that JNIM insurgents safeguard the security and mobility of civilians in Mali. For the past two weeks, the capital city, Bamako, has been subjected to a strict road blockade by these groups. Since April 30, critical transport routes into the landlocked city have been obstructed, threatening the flow of essential imports. In a formal statement, the human rights organization warned that the current isolation of Bamako is creating “unacceptable consequences” for civilian movement. Such restrictions could lead to…

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Fact check: alleged Sonko meeting exposed as misinformation

Aïcha Abdou

Amid heightened political tensions, a circulating report claimed an emergency meeting was scheduled for Friday evening at Ousmane Sonko’s residence in the Cité Keur Gorgui district. The unverified announcement suggested several key members of the Pastef party—including El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, Yassine Fall, Daouda Ngom, Abass Fall, and Ayib Daffé—were expected to attend the 6 p.m. gathering. However, a spokesperson with direct knowledge of Sonko’s inner circle has firmly refuted the claim. In a statement to the press, the insider dismissed the supposed meeting as completely fabricated, emphasizing…

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Burkina Faso bans livestock exports ahead of Tabaski 2026

Aïcha Abdou

A mere two weeks before Tabaski 2026, Burkina Faso’s abrupt halt on all livestock exports has left Côte d’Ivoire scrambling to secure 172,000 animals—a task complicated by dwindling regional suppliers. While Ouagadougou frames the move as an economic necessity, the timing and scope of the decision raise questions about deeper diplomatic currents. The three-line announcement, issued jointly by Burkina Faso’s Ministries of Commerce, Agriculture, and Economy, dropped on May 8, 2026. Effective May 11, all Special Export Authorizations (ASE) for livestock were suspended indefinitely. Operators with valid ASEs had just…

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One year after Tchad opposition leader’s arrest, political repression intensifies

Ousmane Tandja

A full year has passed since Tchadian authorities arrested and sentenced Succès Masra, a prominent opposition leader and former Prime Minister, whose detention on politically motivated charges exposes the government’s growing intolerance toward dissent. As leader of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, Masra was taken from his home in N’Djamena in the early hours of May 16, 2025. Authorities accused him of inciting hatred and rebellion through social media posts following deadly intercommunal clashes in Logone Occidental—a region where dozens perished in violence on May 14. Hours after the tragedy,…

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Russia’s calculated silence amid ally struggles reveals strategic shift

Aïcha Abdou

The Kremlin’s diplomatic playbook is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. As Moscow’s global allies face mounting crises—from military setbacks to internal upheavals—the Russian government’s response has shifted from fiery rhetoric to a deliberate, almost clinical muteness. Observers are left wondering: where is the once-vocal patron when its protégés falter? The art of strategic disappearance This pattern has become impossible to ignore. Whether it’s allies in Africa grappling with coups, Middle Eastern partners teetering on collapse, or former Soviet states facing unrest, Moscow’s first move isn’t intervention—it’s withdrawal. Gone are…

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Dakar’s international literature festival celebrates african voices

Ousmane Tandja

literary festival / talks & debates / storytelling Dakar’s International Literature Festival (FILID) returns for its fifth edition The fifth edition of the International Literature Festival of Dakar (FILID) will light up the stage at the Institut français du Sénégal, bringing together prominent voices in contemporary literary creation for a day of exchange and discovery. Saturday, May 16Institut français du Sénégal, cinema hall This year’s FILID edition promises a vibrant gathering where authors, readers, publishers, and literature enthusiasts converge to explore the rich tapestry of African and global literary works.…

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Ousmane Sonko convenes top Pastef leadership at Cité Keur Gorgui

Aïcha Abdou

The leader of the Pastef party, Ousmane Sonko, has organized a strategic gathering with his primary political staff this Friday. The meeting is scheduled to take place at his private residence in Cité Keur Gorgui at 6:00 PM. Prominent party figures expected A high-level delegation of the party’s executive branch is anticipated at this session. Among the key officials set to attend are El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, and Yassine Fall. They will be joined by other influential members, including Daouda Ngom, Abass Fall, and Ayib Daffé. Agenda remains…

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Laurent Gbagbo re-elected leader of PPA-CI in Ivory Coast

Ousmane Tandja

Ivorian politics Laurent Gbagbo re-elected leader of PPA-CI in Ivory Coast Marturin ATCHA |May 15, 2026|2 min read AAA Summarize Listen Comment Historic re-election at PPA-CI’s national congress Ivorian political party PPA-CI (Parti des Peuples Africains – Côte d’Ivoire) has re-elected Laurent Gbagbo as its leader during an ordinary congress held in Abidjan. The landmark event took place at the Treichville Cultural Palace with nearly 3,000 delegates in attendance. At 80 years old, the former Ivorian president was overwhelmingly chosen to lead the party he founded following his return from…

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Senegal’s pastef leader sonko calls urgent meeting with top aides

Aïcha Abdou

Politics Senegal’s Opposition Leader Ousmane Sonko Gathers Top Team in Dakar Dakar — Ousmane Sonko, leader of Senegal’s Pastef party, has convened an emergency meeting with his core political team at his residence in the Cité Keur Gorgui district of Dakar. The gathering, scheduled for 6:00 PM local time, includes key figures such as El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, Yassine Fall, Daouda Ngom, and Abass Fall. The unusually timed assembly has sparked speculation about the urgent matters at hand. Political observers are closely watching the developments, as Sonko’s recent…

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