Month: May 2026

Benin’s agricultural revolution: how government policies boosted farming since 2016

Ousmane Tandja

Since 2016, Benin has undergone a profound agricultural transformation under bold government reforms. A strategy combining substantial subsidies, rapid mechanization, and strategic land development has positioned farming as the cornerstone of national growth and a pillar of food security. From cotton to pineapple, maize to soybeans, Benin’s fields are now yielding record harvests, reshaping the country’s economic landscape. Strategic sectors soar: the numbers behind Benin’s farming success Within a decade, Benin’s agricultural output has reached unprecedented levels thanks to ambitious government programs. The maize sector, a dietary staple, tells a…

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Ousmane Sonko convenes urgent political meeting in Dakar

Ousmane Tandja

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, also leader of the PASTEF/Les Patriotes party, has called for an urgent gathering of top political strategists at his home in the Keur Gorgui district of Dakar. Scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM, this meeting comes amid heightened political tensions within the ruling coalition and the looming electoral calendar. While the official agenda remains undisclosed, insiders close to the party indicate discussions will center on assessing the recent wave of mobilizations led by the “Diomaye Président” coalition across the country, particularly in the…

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Laurent Gbagbo continues his reign as the head of the PPA-CI in Côte d’Ivoire

Ousmane Tandja

There was no suspense surrounding the outcome of the recent gathering in Treichville. As predicted by a high-ranking member of the Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) on May 14, the conclusion was foregone: the incumbent leader was destined for re-election, a result intended to satisfy the entire assembly. The process at the Palais de la Culture was swift, with the decision finalized through a resounding wave of acclamations from the delegates. The path to victory was entirely uncontested, as no other names appeared on the ballot. Despite…

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Urgent meeting at ousmane sonko’s home ahead of pastef congress

Ousmane Tandja

Urgent gathering at Ousmane Sonko’s residence ahead of key party congress Ousmane Sonko has called an emergency meeting of Pastef party leaders at his home in the Keur Gorgui district of Dakar. The late-afternoon session, scheduled for 6 p.m. this Friday, has heightened speculation about Senegal’s shifting political landscape ahead of the party’s upcoming June convention. Who’s attending the closed-door session Among the high-profile figures expected at Sonko’s Dakar residence are El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, Yassine Fall, Daouda Ngom, Abass Fall and Ayib Daffé. In addition to these…

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Bamako under jihadist blockade: civilian circulation at risk

Aïcha Abdou

Bamako under siege: JNIM blockade triggers crisis for civilians in Mali The capital of Mali, Bamako, has been under a crippling blockade since April 30, enforced by jihadist factions led by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). The situation has escalated tensions in the region, with Amnesty International issuing a stark warning about the “unacceptable consequences” on civilian mobility and safety. Humanitarian fallout of the blockade The siege has disrupted daily life, with Amnesty International highlighting severe disruptions to civilian travel and commerce. In a statement…

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Chadian prime minister hails algerian president’s continental leadership and bilateral efforts

Ousmane Tandja

Algerian Minister of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure, Abdelkader Djellaoui, was recently welcomed in N’Djamena by Allamaye Halina, the Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Chad. During their meeting, Prime Minister Halina lauded the significant efforts of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in advancing bilateral cooperation and acknowledged his pivotal leadership role across the African continent. The Chadian Premier specifically commended President Tebboune’s profound wisdom, his impactful leadership, and his unwavering commitment to strengthening cooperation and fostering integration between the two fraternal nations. Halina underscored his country’s…

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Laurent Gbagbo maintains leadership of Côte d’Ivoire’s PPA-CI party

Aïcha Abdou

Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, now an opposition figure, has been re-elected as leader of the Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) during the party’s first ordinary congress. Despite earlier signals of stepping down by late 2025, his leadership continues to resonate with supporters, even as the party faces mounting challenges following multiple election boycotts. Reaffirmation of leadership amid political challenges At nearly 81 years old, Gbagbo was re-elected to lead the PPA-CI on Friday, just months after announcing his intention to retire from political roles. His candidacy…

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Russia’s strategic retreat in venezuela exposes global power limits

Ousmane Tandja

In the world of geopolitics, silence often speaks louder than words, and diplomatic condemnations can sometimes mask deeper strategic withdrawals. When Caracas faced unprecedented turmoil in early 2026—marked by large-scale US military intervention and the dramatic detention of Nicolás Maduro—the Russian Federation’s response was nothing short of perplexing inertia. For a nation that had positioned itself as Venezuela’s steadfast guardian against alleged American imperialism, Moscow’s retreat into mere diplomatic statements amounted to a stunning admission of operational impotence. From alliance to abandonment: the hollow echoes of Russian rhetoric The contrast…

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Marseille vs rennes: who will secure european football in final ligue 1 clash

Aïcha Abdou

The Stade Vélodrome will host a high-stakes Ligue 1 showdown this weekend as Olympique de Marseille (OM) faces Stade Rennais in a must-win battle for European qualification. With just one match remaining in the season, the Phocéens must secure victory to leapfrog their opponents and claim the fifth-place spot—currently held by Rennes—guaranteeing a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League. Despite last week’s 3-1 triumph over Le Havre, Marseille’s form remains a cause for concern. The win offered a glimmer of hope, but their defensive frailties and lackluster attacking…

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How Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal left Bruno Fernandes feeling “deeply saddened”

Ousmane Tandja

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up about his personal disappointment regarding Declan Rice’s decision to join Arsenal. The Portuguese playmaker believed that the English international was the missing piece of the puzzle for the Red Devils’ midfield before his high-profile move to North London. The missed opportunity for Manchester United In the summer of 2023, the transfer market was dominated by the saga of Declan Rice, who eventually signed with Arsenal for a staggering £105 million. While the Gunners celebrated their new acquisition, Bruno Fernandes was left reflecting…

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Mali: GSIM urged to lift Bamako blockade amid humanitarian crisis

Ousmane Tandja

Bamako’s ongoing blockade is inflicting unacceptable hardship on civilians, threatening their fundamental rights to food, health, and safety, warns a leading human rights organization. The Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group, has been urged to comply with international humanitarian law and cease actions that endanger civilian lives. Since April 28, three of Bamako’s six major supply routes have been severed by GSIM attacks, cutting off the capital from critical food, fuel, and medical deliveries. On May 6, the group targeted a civilian truck…

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