Month: May 2026

Police in Dakar dismantle Chinese visa fraud network and arrest suspect

Ousmane Tandja

The Sûreté urbaine de Dakar recently exposed a criminal operation specializing in forged visa approval letters. This discovery highlights the increasing complexity of illegal migration routes passing through Sénégal. Following a police operation in the capital, an individual linked to what investigators call a “Chinese network” was taken into custody. This case brings back concerns regarding consular security across West Africa. A network of forged consular documents shut down in Dakar Investigations by the urban security forces revealed a well-organized system for creating counterfeit approval letters. These documents are typically…

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Senegal politics: tension between president diomaye faye and pm ousmane sonko

Ousmane Tandja

Understanding the delicate dance in Senegal’s political arena In the aftermath of a coalition event in Mbour, orchestrated by Sokhna Aminata Touré Mimi alongside key allies like Thiamigne Abdourakhmane Diouf, Me Abdoulaye Tine, and Serigne Guèye Diop, the intricate layers of Senegalese political maneuvering have come to the fore. The scene mirrors the complexities of a relationship where mutual appreciation is overshadowed by underlying tensions. Senegal’s political landscape often feels like a theatrical performance, where every move is calculated and every word carries weight. Three key perspectives emerge from this…

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Togo opposition launches first cncc meeting in Lomé amid constitutional reform

Ousmane Tandja

Togo opposition unites in new coalition to challenge constitutional reforms A fresh wave of political mobilization swept through Lomé on Saturday, May 9, as Togo’s opposition launched its first major public gathering under the banner of the Cadre national de concertation pour le changement au Togo (CNCC). This newly formed coalition brings together four opposition parties alongside civil society organizations, marking a significant escalation in the country’s political landscape. The meeting follows growing discontent over the 2024 constitutional amendments that opposition figures argue were designed to extend President Faure Gnassingbé’s…

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Khalifa Sall launches Taxawu Sénégal with new social contract vision

Aïcha Abdou

Taxawu Sénégal officially transitioned from a political platform to a fully structured party during its constitutive congress in Dakar on Sunday, May 10. The landmark event, held under the theme “From platform to political party: Rethinking the social contract for a sovereign, just, united and prosperous Sénégal”, brought together militants, leaders and supporters to define a bold new strategic direction. At the end of the proceedings, Khalifa Ababacar Sall was overwhelmingly acclaimed as the party’s leader in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and unwavering commitment. In a speech blending sharp critique…

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Côte d’Ivoire boosts digital education with training for 75 school inspectors

Ousmane Tandja

Actualité Côte d’Ivoire boosts digital education with training for 75 school inspectors As part of the second phase of the Digital Skills Development for Supervisory and Teaching Staff (DCNPEE) project, 75 pedagogical inspectors from 25 regional directorates in Côte d’Ivoire strengthened their digital skills during a UNESCO-MENAET workshop in Yamoussoukro, held from May 4 to 6, 2026. Paragraphs","format":"text_media_block"}}” id=”” class=”paragraph-border above paragraph paragraph–type–text-media-block paragraph–view-mode–default”> Over three intensive days, the participating inspectors, who specialize in Mathematics, Life and Earth Sciences (SVT), and Physics-Chemistry, were trained in using various digital tools. The…

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Tchad strikes jihadists on lake Chad: dozens of fishermen feared dead

Ousmane Tandja

Chadian airstrikes targeting jihadist positions on Lake Chad have left dozens of Nigerian fishermen presumed dead, local sources reported on May 10. The military operation, launched in response to a recent attack on Chadian troops, has raised concerns about civilian casualties in the conflict-ridden region. «It’s challenging to determine the exact death toll as the operation is still ongoing,» a witness told reporters under anonymity. The strikes began on Friday, targeting islands controlled by the extremist group Boko Haram near the Chadian border, following an assault that killed at least…

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Nairobi summit forges new era in France-africa relations

Ousmane Tandja

The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi has become the epicenter of global attention this Monday, May 11. Over the course of two days, the Africa-Forward Summit, co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto, is set to redefine the contours of collaboration between France and Africa. Departing from the conventional protocol-driven summits, this gathering aspires to serve as a catalyst for a « concrete diplomacy », one rooted in tangible progress and mutual benefit. The selection of Nairobi as the summit’s venue is far from arbitrary. By aligning with…

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Repeated miscarriages in young mothers in Chad: causes and solutions

Aïcha Abdou

Understanding the rising trend of recurrent miscarriages among young mothers in Chad In neighborhoods across N’Djamena and smaller cities throughout Chad, the growing number of cases involving repeated miscarriages among women in their twenties is sparking serious concern. These young mothers are grappling with a dual burden: a medical challenge that remains widely unaddressed and a social stigma that compounds their emotional distress. Without proper awareness, timely medical access, or specialized care, the ripple effects extend far beyond physical health—impacting mental well-being, relationships, and family stability. Medical insights from a…

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Passing of ouaddaï provincial council president in Chad

Ousmane Tandja

Chad mourns loss of Ouaddaï provincial council leader A prominent administrative and political figure in Chad has passed away. Youssouf Mahamat Youssouf, who served as the president of the Ouaddaï Provincial Council, died in the early hours of Monday at the Modern Hospital in N’Djamena after a brief illness. The late leader had held the position for several years, playing a key role in the governance and development initiatives of the Ouaddaï region. While funeral arrangements are yet to be announced, authorities and local communities are preparing to honor his…

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Mali’s sovereignty challenge: how regional crisis reshapes west africa’s security

Aïcha Abdou

Mali’s sovereignty challenge: how regional crisis reshapes West Africa’s security Since 2012, Mali has faced a multifaceted crisis that has drastically altered the Sahel’s geopolitical landscape. The gradual erosion of central state authority has given way to territorial fragmentation, where armed groups and foreign powers vie for control. Once a cornerstone of Western counterterrorism strategies through operations like Serval (2013) and Barkhane (2014), Mali underwent a historic shift in 2022 by demanding the withdrawal of French troops. This move marked a strategic pivot toward Russia, placing sovereign reassertion at the…

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The inspiring journey of Babily Dembélé: from modest beginnings to national influence in Côte d’Ivoire

Ousmane Tandja

Rising from a humble background and navigating the many trials of life, Babily Dembélé has emerged as a multifaceted leader in Côte d’Ivoire. His life story, spanning architecture, politics, business, and social advocacy, is a testament to faith, perseverance, and an relentless drive for excellence. Born into a family facing significant financial hardship, his spiritual path evolved from animist traditions to Catholicism and eventually Islam. The son of a farmer and a dedicated housewife, his early years were defined by scarcity. His father, originally from Kouto, was moved to Dimbokro…

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Mali crisis: denial in Bamako vs brutal reality of northern routes

Aïcha Abdou

The once-vital supply routes in northern Mali now resemble graveyards strewn with charred vehicle wrecks, rotting food supplies, and abandoned bodies lining the roadsides. The air carries a heavy stench of death, a grim reminder of the violence gripping the nation. Yet, in Bamako, the transitional authorities cling to a narrative of denial, insisting that no blockade exists and that freedom of movement remains intact. Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga reinforces this delusion with forceful declarations, claiming, « There is no blockade on the roads. Everyone moves freely in Mali »,…

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