Month: July 2026

Senegal political crisis: Sonko threatens to topple government over resource deals

Aïcha Abdou

Tensions between Senegal’s National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye have reached a critical juncture. Addressing a crowd in Touba on July 12 during the inauguration of the Pastef party headquarters, Sonko issued a stark warning: the government led by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô could face parliamentary censure ‘as many times as necessary.’ This bold declaration, made public the following day, signals an escalating power struggle between the former Prime Minister and the current administration. By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

Read More

Kiev vehemently rejects Moscow’s claims linking Ukraine to the m23 rebellion in drc

Aïcha Abdou

Accusations recently surfaced in Bujumbura, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that Ukraine stands among the external backers of the AFC/M23 rebellion. This insurgent movement currently occupies significant territories across the North and South Kivu provinces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Kiev’s diplomatic response was swift and unequivocal. Ukraine’s foreign ministry denounced the claims as a profound manipulation, designed to obscure the intricate diplomatic landscape within the Great Lakes region. “Sergei Lavrov’s assertions that Ukraine supports the M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are nothing more…

Read More

Why Serie A’s cardiac exams derail football transfers

Aïcha Abdou

why Serie A’s cardiac exams derail football transfers Anan Khalaili’s move to Inter Milan collapsed due to stricter Italian football regulations. What do these mandatory cardiac tests entail, and why does Italy enforce them so rigorously? July 13, 2026 Anan Khalaili’s transfer to Inter Milan collapsed after he failed additional cardiac examinations at Milan’s Humanitas hospital. While standard medical tests passed earlier, deeper scrutiny revealed concerns. Italy’s football regulations require these strict protocols, setting it apart from other European leagues. Could this stringent approach actually benefit Khalaili by redirecting him…

Read More

Sonko spotlights africa’s football shortfalls after disappointing 2026 world cup outings

Aïcha Abdou

«Lessons to learn»: Ousmane Sonko highlights Africa’s football weaknesses after early 2026 World Cup exits Following early exits from the 2026 World Cup, Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, has called for urgent reforms in African football management, citing structural weaknesses that continue to undermine the continent’s performances. In a candid assessment shared with international media, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef/Les Patriotes party, outlined his views on Africa’s World Cup campaign. Despite the expanded number of African teams qualifying for the tournament, he emphasized that the increase was…

Read More

PSG nears surprise return of Lucas Digne this summer

Ousmane Tandja

Football pundits are buzzing with speculation as former Paris Saint-Germain left-back Lucas Digne inches closer to a dramatic return to the Parc des Princes. The 32-year-old French international, whose last stint at the club spanned from 2013 to 2016, has reportedly reached a personal agreement with the capital club despite ongoing negotiations with Aston Villa. The potential reunion comes as a surprise given Digne’s recent tenure at Aston Villa, where he has been a key figure since departing Everton in 2022. His journey to Paris would mark a full-circle moment…

Read More

Ousmane Sonko’s shift from radical slogans to institutional confrontation in Senegal

Ousmane Tandja

The political landscape in Senegal is witnessing a profound shift, one that challenges the very foundations of democratic governance. Once a vocal opposition figure, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, has transitioned from a strategy of popular resistance to an unprecedented institutional confrontation. The question on everyone’s mind: how far will he go? From “Gatsa-Gatsa” to “Maa Tay”: A radical evolution The “Gatsa-Gatsa” slogan—meaning “short tail pays short tail”—was originally coined as a rallying cry for unyielding resistance against the previous regime. It symbolized a tit-for-tat approach, where every…

Read More

Maroc and Benin lead 7th atlantic african states meeting in Cotonou

Ousmane Tandja

The seventh ministerial gathering of the African States Atlantic Process (PEAA) opened this Monday in Cotonou, under the joint leadership of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Benin. This high-level meeting underscores a renewed commitment to strengthening ties among Atlantic-facing African nations, advancing regional integration, and fulfilling the vision championed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI for a shared Atlantic space defined by peace, stability, and inclusive prosperity. Key figures from the Kingdom at the forefront The Moroccan delegation, led by Mohamed Methqal, Ambassador and Director-General of the…

Read More

Yacouba-camara-choisit-le-Mali-pour-relancer-sa-carriere-internationale

Aïcha Abdou

Yacouba Camara a repris les couleurs du Mali lors de la Coupe d'Afrique Zone B à Bamako. Le Troisième-ligne du XV de France a disputé un match avec les Aigles du Mali, confirmant ainsi une série victorieuse pour l'équipe africaine. La décision de Camara de rejoindre le Mali soulève des questions sur la gestion des joueurs bi-nationaux par le staff français. Le joueur n'a pas été appelé en équipe de France depuis 2019 malgré un niveau professionnel confirmé, ce qui laisse penser que les choix du sélectionneur sont souvent portés…

Read More

Cotonou hosts key atlantic african states partnership summit

Aïcha Abdou

Cotonou, Bénin, set the stage for significant diplomatic progress this week as the seventh ministerial meeting of the African Atlantic States Process (AASP) officially commenced. Co-chaired by Morocco and Bénin, the gathering underscores a growing commitment to deepening regional cooperation under the strategic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Led by Ambassador Mohamed Methqal, Director-General of Morocco’s Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), the Moroccan delegation included key figures such as Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary of the AASP, Ambassador Rachid Rguibi of Morocco to Bénin, and senior officials from the…

Read More

Sénégal: Ousmane Sonko menace de censurer le gouvernement Faye après Mbacké

Aïcha Abdou

L’essentiel Limogeage : Ousmane Sonko a été démis de ses fonctions de Premier ministre le 22 mai 2026 par le président Bassirou Diomaye Faye Menace : Le 12 juillet 2026 à Mbacké, Sonko a annoncé le dépôt d’une motion de censure contre le gouvernement d’Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô Soutiens : Dix des seize maires du département de Mbour ont affiché leur soutien au président Faye le 12 juillet Congrès : Le président Faye organise le congrès fondateur de son propre parti le 8 août 2026 à la Dakar Arena Un…

Read More

Senegal political tension escalates as sonko threatens censure motion

Ousmane Tandja

The key points Dismissal: Ousmane Sonko was removed from his post as Prime Minister on May 22, 2026, by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Threat: On July 12, 2026, in Mbacké, Sonko announced plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against the government led by Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô Support: Ten of the sixteen mayors in the Mbour district publicly backed President Faye on July 12 Congress: President Faye will hold the founding congress of his new political party on August 8, 2026, at the Dakar Arena Mbacké rally sparks political fireworks…

Read More

Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef tour in Mbacké: financial autonomy and political vision

Ousmane Tandja

Senegal’s political landscape under scrutiny as Ousmane Sonko rallies militants During a high-profile visit to the Diourbel region as part of the Pastef party’s “48-hour mobilization,” opposition leader Ousmane Sonko reaffirmed his commitment to financial independence and outlined his vision for Senegal’s political future. Speaking at key locations in Touba and Sadio, Sonko addressed both grassroots supporters and broader national concerns, emphasizing the resilience of his movement amid evolving political dynamics. Financial independence as a cornerstone of Pastef’s strategy At a gathering in Touba, Sonko directly addressed rumors surrounding the…

Read More