Month: July 2026

Bruno guimaraes set for arsenal move after newcastle accept bid

Ousmane Tandja

Arsenal and Newcastle United have reached a groundbreaking agreement for the transfer of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, following a dramatic increase in the Gunners’ initial offer. The deal, valued at €90 million with performance-related bonuses, marks a significant shift in the Premier League’s transfer landscape this summer. The 28-year-old international, currently captain of Newcastle, has finalized his personal terms on a long-term contract that extends until 2031. Sources close to the negotiations confirm that Guimaraes has requested a temporary postponement of his pre-season trip to La Manga to ensure the…

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The mirage of financial autonomy in Burkina Faso: debt and the limits of self-financing

Ousmane Tandja

In Ouagadougou, the military-led government under Captain Ibrahim Traoré has adopted a bold mantra to signal its economic ambitions: “Y’a pas crédit dedans”—a phrase that has echoed across social media and pro-regime platforms. The message is clear: major infrastructure projects, from road rehabilitation to state modernization, are being funded entirely through domestic resources, free from reliance on foreign debt. This narrative of financial independence resonates strongly with a population weary of external influence. Yet beneath the slogan lies a more nuanced—and troubling—reality. From Slogan to Fiscal Reality The pursuit of…

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Mali civilians killed in Africa corps airstrikes, human rights watch reports

Ousmane Tandja

Africa Corps airstrikes in Mali claim eight civilian lives, rights group alleges Human Rights Watch has leveled serious allegations against Africa Corps, the Russian-backed paramilitary group operating in Mali, accusing its forces of carrying out deadly airstrikes that killed eight civilians—including three children—in the central region of the country on June 15. According to the organization, none of the victims were affiliated with any armed group. Civilian casualties in a central Mali village A report released by Human Rights Watch details how a Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft conducted at least two…

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Bénin’s minister georges alé champions quality in ongoing road infrastructure projects

Ousmane Tandja

In a dedicated effort to monitor major initiatives aimed at modernizing Bénin’s national road network, Georges Alé, the Minister of Living Environment and Transport, conducted a comprehensive inspection tour last Tuesday. His visit focused on three crucial construction sites, underscoring technical excellence, environmental protection, public health considerations, and strict adherence to contractual timelines. The ministerial delegation’s initial stop brought them to the Djonou bridge, situated within the Abomey-Calavi commune. At this location, dredging operations have been successfully brought to completion. This vital intervention has effectively cleared the waterway, ensuring superior…

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Burkina Faso faces scrutiny over military-run training camps

Aïcha Abdou

The patriotic immersion program that sparked serious allegations What was touted as a nation-building initiative for Burkina Faso’s female football team has instead become a source of grave concern. Players and technical staff members claim they endured sexual violence during a so-called patriotic immersion stage held at a military camp. According to a complaint filed in Morocco, six athletes and one staff member allege they were subjected to abuses by military officers, raising troubling questions about the boundaries between military authority and civilian protection in the current political climate. The…

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Russia’s growing military ties with west african alliance reshaping regional security

Ousmane Tandja

Russia is deepening its military and security partnerships with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This strategic collaboration was highlighted during a high-level meeting in Niamey, Niger, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and representatives of the AES outlined a roadmap to bolster defense cooperation. The agreement focuses on enhancing joint efforts to combat extremist violence and address the persistent security challenges plaguing the Sahel region. Both sides emphasized the urgency of strengthening regional stability through coordinated military action and capacity-building…

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Mauritania’s delicate balancing act in Western Sahara tensions

Ousmane Tandja

An unexpected diplomatic flare-up in Dakar last July exposed the intricate balancing act Mauritania performs on the Western Sahara issue. Between claims of “positive neutrality,” economic imperatives, and the preservation of its sovereignty, Nouakchott’s carefully crafted ambiguity has become its trademark strategy—especially when it comes to not provoking Morocco. What began as a routine book launch event at the Moroccan embassy in Dakar quickly escalated into a heated confrontation. Former Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio sparked outrage when he remarked that, in Senegalese collective memory, Morocco was located “just…

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How to secure hull city vs manchester united tickets for premier league 2026/27

Aïcha Abdou

Hull City’s long-awaited return to the Premier League kicks off with a blockbuster home fixture against 20-time English champions Manchester United on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The Tigers secured promotion after a dramatic extra-time winner from Oli McBurnie in the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley last May, sending supporters into raptures. Manchester United, meanwhile, finished the 2025/26 season strongly by clinching Champions League football with a third-place finish. Now under permanent leadership, manager Michael Carrick aims to build on last season’s solid foundations. For fans eager to witness…

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Franco Mastantuono’s future in flux as Real Madrid weighs Serie A loan offers

Aïcha Abdou

The Real Madrid hierarchy is weighing up temporary options for 18-year-old Argentine sensation Franco Mastantuono as the club seeks to secure his long-term development in European football. After a debut season in the Spanish capital that fell short of expectations, the club has concluded that a change of scenery is necessary to unlock his potential. The teenager, who arrived amid great fanfare, struggled to carve out consistent playing time at the Santiago Bernabéu. With first-team minutes proving elusive, both the club and Mastantuono’s representatives have now mutually agreed that a…

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Benin grants citizenship to 28 afro-descendants in historic ceremony

Ousmane Tandja

The Republic of Bénin has taken a historic step by granting citizenship to 28 Afro-descendants during a solemn ceremony in Cotonou. This event marks a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing commitment to reconnect with its diaspora and honor its ancestral roots. A ceremony rooted in history and memory Held at the judicial complex in Cotonou on July 30, 2026, the event was presided over by the Keeper of the Seals and Minister of Justice and Legislation, Yvon Detchenou. Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Minister of Foreign Affairs,…

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How women migrants power Senegal’s economy while fighting invisibility

Ousmane Tandja

The 31st of July marks Africa Women’s Day, a date tied to a historic 1962 conference in Dar es Salaam that shaped the continent’s feminist and panafricanist movements. In 2026, the African Union has dedicated the year to water access: “ensuring sustainable availability of water and safe sanitation systems to meet the goals of Agenda 2063.” Yet, behind these noble ambitions lies a stark reality in Senegal, where the economy thrives on the uncounted labor of migrant women whose work remains largely invisible. Invisible engines: women migrants keeping Senegal moving…

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Geopolitical crossroads Mauritania’s role between Morocco Senegal

Aïcha Abdou

When examining the relationship between Morocco and Senegal, one cannot overlook the pivotal role of Mauritania, as highlighted by Mauritanian journalist Ahmed Ould Bettar. The vast stretch of land separating Rabat from Dakar is not merely an empty space—it is a region shaped by history, sovereignty, and strategic interests. At its core lies the Western Sahara, a territory whose status remains internationally contested. Yet, equally indispensable to this equation is the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, whose geographical and political significance is often underestimated. Mauritania: The missing link in Maghreb-West Africa…

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