Day: August 9, 2026

Political tensions loom in Yaounde ahead of Cameroon’s transition

Ousmane Tandja

The political landscape in Cameroon is fraught with uncertainty as Yaoundé braces for a pivotal transition. With President Paul Biya nearing the end of his extended tenure, whispers of power struggles within the ruling elite are growing louder. Key figures like Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary-General of the Presidency, stand at the center of this unfolding drama, their every move scrutinized by both allies and adversaries. An atmosphere of anticipation and tension The capital city, Yaoundé, is a microcosm of the nation’s collective anxiety. Government corridors buzz with hushed conversations, while…

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Senegal political leaders reject election postponement amid growing tensions

Aïcha Abdou

Political leaders in Senegal stand firm against election delay proposals The potential postponement of elections in Senegal has reignited political discussions in Dakar. Following initial remarks from Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, El Malick Ndiaye, a key figure in the ruling party, has strongly cautioned against any attempts to alter the electoral timeline. His intervention comes in a climate where the presidential majority is determined to dismiss any suggestion of delay, barely a year after a major institutional crisis rocked the nation. Uncompromising stance on election timing El Malick Ndiaye’s statement…

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Nigeria tackles rising kidnappings amid regional security tensions

Aïcha Abdou

Nigeria tackles rising kidnappings amid regional security tensions The Nigerian government is under mounting pressure as a surge in kidnappings grips the country’s northern regions, coinciding with heightened diplomatic tensions with neighboring nations. Speaking to traditional leaders on July 30, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suggested that some of the recent insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s north could be linked to cross-border terrorist elements. These remarks drew an immediate response from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), with Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, emphasizing in an August 7 statement that the…

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Gabon reforms public sector recruitment age to 40 amid retirement debate

Ousmane Tandja

Gabon raises public sector recruitment age to 40 in strategic reform A new policy introduced by Gabon’s Minister of Public Service, Laurence Ndong, raises the maximum recruitment age for civil servants to 40 years. The initiative aims to broaden the talent pool while ensuring merit-based entry through competitive examinations conducted by national schools. The reform, developed with input from 29 government departments and 110 experts, targets critical sectors such as national sovereignty and security. Its goal is to inject fresh expertise into areas vital for the country’s stability and development.…

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Gabon turns away from France with 78% negative sentiment

Ousmane Tandja

Surveys reveal an unprecedented shift in Gabonese public opinion toward France. According to the latest Afrobarometer findings, a striking 78% of respondents now view France’s influence in their country as negative, while only 20% hold favorable views. This sharp decline positions France at the bottom of the list among foreign actors operating in Libreville, despite Gabon’s historical role as a key Francophone stronghold in the Gulf of Guinea. The disparity becomes even more evident when compared to other global partners. China leads with 61% positive opinions, followed closely by the…

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Benin’s credit rating upgraded by moody’s to ba3 with stable outlook

Aïcha Abdou

Cotonou has reached a significant milestone in its economic trajectory. Moody’s has upgraded Benin’s long-term sovereign debt rating from B1 to Ba3, placing the country in the ‘BB/Ba’ category—a step closer to investment-grade status. The stable outlook attached to this decision indicates no anticipated downgrade over the next 18 months. For a nation actively engaging in both regional and international markets, the implications extend beyond mere financial symbolism. Economic growth hits 8.1% in 2025, highest in 35 years The driving force behind Moody’s decision is the country’s robust economic performance.…

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Nigeria’s president criticised over Sahel security comments

Ousmane Tandja

AFRICA 3 min read Nigerian president’s remarks on Sahel security spark strong reaction from regional bloc “Some of these terrorists are not Nigerian. You see, the insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is worsening our challenges,” President Tinubu stated on July 30. Share Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, met Thursday with Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ouagadougou following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial remarks on security in the Sahel, diplomatic sources confirmed Friday. Attended by Mali and Niger’s Chargés d’Affaires, the meeting underscored the three…

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