Month: July 2026

Gabon budget 2027 discussions kick off in Libreville

Aïcha Abdou

Gabon’s government has initiated budgetary conferences in Libreville to lay the groundwork for the 2027 Finance Bill, marking a pivotal phase in fiscal planning for next year, as confirmed in an official statement. Two-phase approach for budget preparation The conferences, structured around revenue and expenditure analysis, follow the guidelines outlined in Circular No. 000245/PR/SG dated March 31, 2026, which sets the fiscal calendar. The first phase, running from July 14 to 17, focuses on ministerial-level discussions. The second phase, slated for July 20–24, will convene within sectoral administrations to conduct…

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Peruvian government affirms support for Morocco’s Sahara autonomy plan

Aïcha Abdou

Peru’s incoming leadership reaffirms backing for Morocco’s Sahara autonomy initiative Peru’s president-elect, Keiko Fujimori, has publicly confirmed her government’s commitment to upholding Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. The pledge was made during a meeting with Morocco’s Ambassador to Peru, Amin Chaoudri, who presented a congratulatory message from King Mohammed VI following Fujimori’s electoral victory. According to a statement from the president-elect’s office, Fujimori’s administration will fully support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara region—a proposal endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 as the foundation…

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Lecornu’s maiden diplomatic journey: strengthening ties with Qatar and Morocco

Aïcha Abdou

International Lecornu’s maiden diplomatic journey: strengthening ties with Qatar and Morocco Sébastien Lecornu embarks on his first international visit as Prime Minister, prioritizing strategic engagements in Doha and Rabat to reinforce French alliances in the Gulf and Maghreb. Why this trip matters for French diplomacy When a new Prime Minister takes office, the inaugural overseas visits often set the tone for their administration. These trips signal which nations and issues Paris prioritizes, shaping perceptions of France’s diplomatic direction. Sébastien Lecornu’s itinerary—Qatar followed by Morocco—sends a clear message. Both are longstanding…

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France-spain 2026: referee debate flares after french elimination

Aïcha Abdou

France’s World Cup dreams vanished in a 0-2 defeat against Spain on Tuesday, ending their campaign in the semi-finals. The Bleus, who had dominated every match leading up to this stage, found themselves outplayed by a cohesive Spanish side that capitalized on their technical superiority. Didier Deschamps, visibly frustrated, acknowledged France’s shortcomings in an interview after the match. “We were technically below par—that’s on us,” he admitted. However, the French manager didn’t stop there. He raised questions about the officiating, questioning whether the referee possessed the necessary level to handle…

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Senegal awaits Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye meeting in Dakar

Aïcha Abdou

The political and diplomatic landscape of Senegal is set to witness a significant moment this Friday, July 17, 2026. Former President Macky Sall has confirmed he will make a brief visit to Dakar to hold a crucial discussion with his successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Diplomatic talks on the agenda In an announcement shared on social media on Tuesday, July 14, Macky Sall outlined the key focus of his upcoming meeting. The primary topic will revolve around his candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. The former head of…

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New french prime minister’s maiden diplomatic tour: qatar then Morocco

Ousmane Tandja

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks on first overseas diplomatic mission Share Share WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Messenger France’s incoming Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has just concluded a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Doha before heading to Rabat, signaling a renewed focus on strengthening Paris’s ties in the Middle East and North Africa. This week marks the first international journey undertaken by Lecornu since assuming office at Matignon ten months ago. His itinerary reflects both a tribute to a regional ally and a strategic move to reinforce bilateral cooperation. A solemn mission to…

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The drc’s ambitious bid to transform strategic minerals into industrial might

Ousmane Tandja

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has solidified its position as an indispensable nexus within the global supply chains for critical minerals. With vast reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium, coltan, and rare earths, the Congolese subsoil holds a significant portion of the raw materials vital for the global energy transition and cutting-edge electronics. For Kinshasa, the pressing question is no longer about the desirability of these resources, but rather how to effectively convert them into sustainable industrial power, thereby avoiding the historical extractivist model that has long denied the nation…

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Cameroon faces risk of losing 292 billion cfa francs in bad funding

Ousmane Tandja

During a joint portfolio review held in Yaoundé on July 14, 2026, the Cameroonian government and the African Development Bank (BAD) uncovered a looming financial crisis. Seven approved operations, totaling 373.419 million units of account—equivalent to roughly 292 billion FCFA—now face cancellation due to administrative bottlenecks rather than a lack of resources. The primary issue stems from internal delays in finalizing agreements and initiating disbursements. These funds are not yet disbursed or subject to repayment; they represent approved loans and grants from the BAD that remain unsigned or dormant despite…

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Congo drc parliament debates 2027-2030 military law

Aïcha Abdou

DRC Parliament begins debate on 2027-2030 military programming law National Assembly Politics Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – 07:52 The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s National Assembly has launched debates on the proposed military programming law for 2027-2030, a strategic financial framework designed to modernize the country’s armed forces. Defense Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita presented the draft legislation to lawmakers on Tuesday, July 14, following his official visit to Egypt. The proposed law aims to establish a stable budget framework for equipping, modernizing, and strengthening the Forces Armées de la République…

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Cameroon’s government intensifies efforts against illicit gold trade

Ousmane Tandja

Cameroon’s government intensifies efforts against illicit gold trade To address the pressing issue of illegal gold activities, a crucial working session took place on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, within the conference hall of the Ministry of Commerce. An important working session, focusing on the restructuring of the gold industry and enhancing gold traceability, was convened this Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Ministry of Commerce’s conference room. The proceedings were led by Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry, the acting Minister of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development. Key administrative figures were in…

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Living as an LGBTQ+ person in Senegal after the law change

Aïcha Abdou

World • Senegal LGBTQ+ lives in Senegal: fear, flight, and the harsh new reality after the law change Rejection, suffocating atmosphere, and the constant fear of arrest—since the penalties for homosexuality were doubled in March, distress calls from LGBTQ+ individuals desperate to leave Senegal have surged. Activist groups have joined forces to respond. Cherif* arrived in France in early June with one absolute certainty: he could no longer remain in Senegal. ‘I was going to be arrested,’ he admits. For weeks after a man he was close to was detained,…

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