Month: June 2026

Human rights advocates have leveled serious allegations against the M23 armed group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), accusing it of forcibly recruiting thousands of individuals—including soldiers, local militiamen, and civilians—in the eastern provinces. The organization behind these claims warns of inhumane detention conditions that have resulted in numerous fatalities among captives. Forced recruitment escalates in conflict zones The scale of abductions has surged following the M23’s capture of key cities like Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. Witnesses describe widespread raids targeting both military personnel and civilians, with…

The Burkina Faso government has closed its first bond issuance tailored to its diaspora with clear financial success. The operation, named the Diaspora Bond, raised 151.5 billion CFA francs, far exceeding the initial targets set by authorities in Ouagadougou. For a Sahelian state facing rising financing needs and limited access to conventional international markets, this outcome marks a strategic shift. Diaspora mobilisation surpasses expectations The bond targeted Burkinabè living abroad, whether in West Africa or elsewhere around the world. By capturing more than 151 billion CFA francs (roughly 230 million…

“Yaoundé is no longer the city we knew two decades ago, marked by an evolution of modern infrastructure from the city center. But today the city where I was born extends well beyond the seven hills it is known for. I truly appreciate this development,” says Mbarga Obama, a long-time resident of Cameroon’s political capital. At about 90 years old, he joyfully recounts the major steps in the transformation of his former village into a major city. “Previously, the urban center was limited to the Atemengué plateau with slight expansion…

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just hours from kickoff, Senegal is caught up in the excitement — not just on the pitch, but through the booming world of sports betting. Over the past five years, the sector has gone fully digital. No more queues at betting shops: a few taps on a smartphone are all it takes to place a wager. As a result, more and more people are trying their luck. For them, the World Cup has already begun. In a group of young footballers from the same…

Aboubakary Abdoulaye calls for firm action against sexual violence and femicides At the opening of the second ordinary session of the Senate in Yaoundé on Tuesday, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, president of the upper chamber, urged the Cameroonian government to intensify efforts against child sexual abuse and femicides, which he described as increasingly alarming. Aboubakary Abdoulaye, both Senate president and Lamido of Rey Bouba, made a solemn plea to the authorities for stronger measures against sexual violence targeting children and femicides in Cameroon. Speaking at the Senate’s second ordinary session in Yaoundé,…