Month: July 2026

Mali’s fragile calm in Bamako amid escalating terrorism in central regions

Ousmane Tandja

While Bamako breathes easier with the arrival of two critical convoys—one carrying fuel and the other heavy weaponry—the heart of Mali remains trapped in a tightening security nightmare. A stark contrast emerges between the capital’s hard-won logistical victories and the relentless terror gripping central regions, where the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) continues to tighten its grip. Bamako’s lifelines: fuel and firepower secure the capital After weeks of strained supply chains and heightened tensions, Bamako received a much-needed reprieve in late July. Two high-stakes deliveries broke the logistical blockade…

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Morocco seeks $26 billion for atlantic gas pipeline project

Ousmane Tandja

The Kingdom of Morocco is accelerating efforts to secure the necessary funding for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (GAA), a landmark cross-border energy initiative developed in collaboration with Nigeria. Through strategic negotiations, Rabat aims to gather 26 billion dollars in financing, primarily from the United States Export-Import Bank (US Exim Bank) and the World Bank, as confirmed by Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani. By Ousmane Tandja — Senior correspondent

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Chad withdraws from the international criminal court amid mounting criticisms

Aïcha Abdou

Africa Chad withdraws from the international criminal court amid mounting criticisms N’Djamena cites the court’s uneven effectiveness and limited impact following renewed scrutiny from the United States. in N’Djamena Article The government of Chad has officially announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing longstanding concerns over the court’s uneven effectiveness and limited jurisdiction. This decision was formalized in a government statement released on Monday. «This withdrawal reflects a thorough review of the ICC’s operations since its establishment in 2002,» the statement explained. «Its effectiveness remains limited and…

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Food systems project to revive Benin’s maize and rice sectors

Aïcha Abdou

The Beninese government, backed by global partners, has launched an ambitious initiative to revitalize the nation’s agricultural sector. The Food Systems project, with a budget exceeding $20 million, aims to restore degraded lands and transform maize and rice value chains by 2030, ensuring long-term food security. Land degradation: a silent crisis threatening Benin’s economy Agriculture is the backbone of Benin’s economy, accounting for 70% of employment, 26% of GDP, and 80% of export earnings. Yet this vital sector faces a growing crisis: soil degradation. Speaking at the project’s launch in…

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Senegal’s president Diomaye Faye unveils new political party

Aïcha Abdou

In a decisive move reshaping Senegal’s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has formally launched his new political party, marking a clear break from his former alliance with the Pastef – Les Patriotes movement led by his once-close ally and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Dubbed Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, the freshly established party derives its name from the Wolof term “kiiraay,” which translates to “protection.” Faye has made it abundantly clear that safeguarding the nation’s interests will be the cornerstone of all his future endeavors, both in governance…

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Togo protesters challenge 2024 constitutional reforms

Aïcha Abdou

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Vogan, southern Togo, on Sunday to voice their opposition to the controversial 2024 constitutional amendments. Critics argue the reforms are designed to extend President Faure Gnassingbé’s 20-year grip on power, sparking fresh tensions in a country where public dissent has been rare in recent years. The protest, orchestrated by the National Framework for Change in Togo (CNCC)—a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups—marked the second major rally in three months. The first gathering, held in early May, set the stage…

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Senate leader backs tshisekedi’s referendum and dialogue push

Ousmane Tandja

July 27, 2026 By Editorial Team Politics Senate Leader Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Backs President Tshisekedi’s Push for Referendum Law and National Dialogue Share FacebookXWhatsAppLinkedinEmail Print On Sunday, July 26, 2026, Senate President Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, as the moral authority of the political alliance Agissons et bâtissons (AB), convened a high-level meeting at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Bandal. The gathering brought together the alliance’s Presidium members, national deputies, senators, party secretaries-general, and executive secretaries for an evening of discussions. This long-awaited exchange, held as the extraordinary parliamentary session concluded and…

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Senegal political funds scandal: sonko’s alleged request for extra budget exposed

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal’s Political Funds Controversy: Sonko’s Alleged Budget Extension Request The Senegalese political landscape remains embroiled in a heated exchange following revelations about alleged financial mismanagement during Ousmane Sonko’s tenure as Prime Minister. Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf has shed light on a contentious claim: Sonko reportedly requested an additional 1.77 billion CFA francs in political funds after depleting the initial allocation. The ongoing feud between the Pastef party and the Kiiraay movement shows no signs of abating. Without an impartial referee to call a halt to the exchanges, both factions continue to…

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Réforme constitutionnelle au Togo : Le gouvernement recadre la Cour de justice de la CEDEAO après son arrêt

Ousmane Tandja

La réplique des autorités togolaises ne s’est pas faite attendre. Suite à l’arrêt rendu le 29 janvier dernier par la Cour de justice de la CEDEAO — qualifiant la révision constitutionnelle de mars 2024 au Togo de « changement de gouvernement inconstitutionnel » —, le gouvernement a réagi fermement ce dimanche. Pour l’exécutif togolais, la juridiction communautaire a purement et simplement outrepassé son mandat. « Aucune compétence de contrôle de constitutionnalité » Dans sa première réaction officielle, le gouvernement togolais remet les pendules à l’heure concernant les prérogatives réelles de…

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Senegal political funds transparency under president diomaye

Ousmane Tandja

In a rare public declaration, former Minister Abdourahmane Diouf has shed light on the financial management of political funds and state credits allocated to the Prime Minister’s office during Ousmane Sonko‘s tenure. The remarks come at a pivotal moment in Senegal’s political landscape, following the recent merger of Ousmane Sonko‘s party Awalé into the newly formed Kiiraay party, launched on July 25 in Dakar. This union resulted from the integration of 437 parties and movements from the former Diomaye Président coalition. Controversial spending and demands for additional funds During his…

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Niger drone strike kills civilians during funeral in Tillabéri

Aïcha Abdou

When grief turned to horror: a funeral ceremony struck by military drones in Niger What was meant to be a moment of mourning and unity in the village of Chinagodrar, in northern Tillabéri, ended in a bloodbath on July 24. Two drone strikes, reportedly carried out by Nigerien military forces, tore through a funeral gathering, leaving at least seven dead and numerous wounded. The attack shattered an already fragile community, where fear and insecurity have taken root. A region trapped between war and peace The Tillabéri region, bordering Mali and…

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Senegal Algeria expand energy ties with new hydrocarbon partnership

Aïcha Abdou

The energy partnership between Senegal and Algeria has reached a new milestone. Officials from both governments convened in Algiers to formalize a strategic alliance in the hydrocarbons sector. The meeting brought together Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs with Algerian counterparts handling energy and diplomacy, signaling a shared commitment to building a structured industrial partnership between Dakar and Algiers—two nations now firmly positioned on Africa’s hydrocarbon production map. This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for Senegal’s economy. Since early 2024, the country has been extracting oil from…

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