The Niger is positioning itself as a key voice in reshaping the mandate of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). In Niamey, Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, Chairman of the Advisory Council for Refoundation (CCR), engaged in high-level talks with former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, who is leading the Independent Strategic Review of the UNOWAS. This dialogue unfolds amid a shifting landscape of Sahelian relations with international institutions. Niger’s leadership in regional stability discussions As part of an ongoing evaluation of UNOWAS effectiveness, Sahle-Work Zewde’s mission…
Read MoreMonth: July 2026
C64 postpones july 22 march and sets august deadline for government dialogue
The Coalition Article 64 (C64) has officially announced the postponement of its planned peaceful march scheduled for July 22 in Kinshasa. In a press statement released on Monday, July 20, the coalition cited recent developments as the reason for the delay. Dialogue awaited: a strategic pause The decision follows a joint appeal from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the ECC-CENCO, urging the opposition coalition to embrace dialogue. The religious leaders, represented by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo and Reverend André Bokundoa, called for a constructive approach to address the…
Read MoreKenya faces major cyberattack on presidential website amid growing digital threats
Kenya’s digital landscape faced a severe disruption on Saturday, July 18, 2026, when the official presidential website, president.go.ke, was subjected to a coordinated cyberattack. While government officials initially labeled the incident a mere technical glitch, deeper investigations revealed a sophisticated defacement attack followed by a ransom demand in cryptocurrency—a tactic increasingly common in global cybercrime trends. Defacement and extortion: a direct challenge to state authority The attack unfolded around 2 p.m., replacing the site’s usual content—featuring speeches and official statements by President William Ruto—with derogatory messages directed at the head…
Read MoreSonko pays respects to family of respected Jaraaf Papa Youssou Ndoye in Ouakam
In a gesture of solidarity, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef movement, visited the family of the late Jaraaf Papa Youssou Ndoye in Ouakam to offer his condolences. This visit follows his previous stops in Yoff and Pikine, as part of a series of mourning calls across the capital. Paying tribute to a respected community figure The visit took place days after the passing of Jaraaf Papa Youssou Ndoye, who died on July 16, 2026, at the Principal Hospital in Dakar. Sonko conveyed his deepest sympathies to the grieving family,…
Read MoreBamako tightens nationality laws for dual citizens in Mali
Mali’s transitional government has taken a decisive step to reinforce its authority with a sweeping new policy shift. In a recent cabinet meeting, officials approved a draft decree that fundamentally alters the nation’s nationality laws. Under the revised legislation, Malian citizens born with dual nationality face the possibility of losing their Malian citizenship if found guilty of undermining the country’s vital interests. Previously, Mali’s legal framework only permitted the revocation of citizenship for naturalized individuals. This groundbreaking amendment now extends those consequences to dual nationals from birth, marking a significant…
Read MoreThe shadow over Congo’s power: 30 years of espionage shaping a nation
The shadow over Congo’s power: 30 years of espionage shaping a nation Kinshasa — For decades, power in Congo was never seized in the light of day. It was taken in the shadows, through the whispered deals of intelligence services that became the true architects of the nation’s fate. These agencies didn’t just serve the state; they were the state. When the Sûreté coughed, the Presidential Palace shivered. When the CND listened, ministers fell silent. When the ANR acted, justice bowed. This is the untold story of Congo’s shadow war,…
Read MoreHow Congo’s shadowy intelligence shaped power for decades
The Congo’s invisible hand: how intelligence agencies shaped power for generations 20 July 2026 Author: Editorial Team
Read MoreCameroon political party urges reforms amid prolonged presidential absence
Political party calls for constitutional clarity after president’s extended absence The Union for Democracy and Progress (UDC), a prominent political party in Cameroon, has sounded the alarm over the prolonged absence of President Paul Biya from the Palais de l’Unité, raising concerns about institutional continuity and transparency. President Biya, who traveled to Europe on June 7, 2026 for what was officially described as a private visit, has not returned after more than 40 days. While the Civil Cabinet’s announcement provided minimal details, insiders confirm that the president is in Switzerland,…
Read MoreEscalating violence in Mali as JNIM targets Mopti region
Coordinated assaults in Mali’s Mopti region intensify security crisis On Sunday, July 19, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) launched a series of synchronized attacks across Mali’s Mopti region, targeting government forces, Russian-backed Africa Corps troops, and local militias. The militant faction, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for four simultaneous assaults, underscoring its operational capability despite widespread counterterrorism efforts. Five years after Colonel Assimi Goïta’s takeover, the junta’s pledge to restore Mali’s territorial integrity remains unfulfilled, as the country grapples with an unprecedented security and humanitarian…
Read MoreBenin public service progression unlocks new salary benefits for 1100 officials
1,110 Beninese civil servants finally move up the career ladder The Beninese government has approved the financial and administrative regularization of 1,110 civil servants who were previously stuck at the 11th grade level. This long-awaited decision not only clears a major administrative bottleneck but also ensures immediate financial relief through backdated salary payments. In a cabinet meeting chaired by Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, officials confirmed that all 1,110 qualified state employees—who met the required criteria of seniority and merit by December 31, 2025—will now automatically advance to the 12th grade…
Read MoreBénin bets big on kanvo and indigo to drive economic growth
In a glittering showcase of heritage meets high fashion, the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hôtel played host to a landmark event on the evening of Saturday, July 18, 2026: the inaugural Night of Kanvo and Indigo. Orchestrated by the Fonds de Développement de l’Artisanat (FDA) under the guidance of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Employment Promotion, this gala transcended mere fashion display to unveil a bold industrialization strategy aimed at propelling Beninese textiles onto the global stage. National ambition takes center stage The evening drew more than just…
Read MoreGabon France a new chapter in bilateral relations
Politics Gabon and France: forging a renewed partnership By Editor-in-Chief 20 July 2026 80 No comment Libreville, 20 July 2026 — The three-day state visit of Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to France marks more than just a diplomatic courtesy. It signals a strategic reset in relations between Libreville and Paris, with economic cooperation, industrial sovereignty, security, and diaspora engagement taking center stage. The significance cannot be overstated. This is the first time President Oligui Nguema has been received in France for a state visit since assuming office, underscoring…
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