Month: August 2026

Modou mbène guèye hits back at abba mbaye in saint-louis political clash

Ousmane Tandja

In a sharp exchange that has sent ripples through Senegal’s political landscape, Modou Mbène Guèye, the Pastef coordinator for Saint-Louis, has publicly rebuked Abba Mbaye for what he describes as a betrayal of core political values. The confrontation unfolded after Mbaye, a former deputy, criticized the strategies of Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, drawing parallels between their approaches to coalition-building. During a television appearance, Mbaye alleged that both leaders had sacrificed long-standing allies to consolidate power, suggesting a pattern of political expediency. Specifically, he pointed to President Faye’s…

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Rising tensions over counter-terrorism between Nigeria and Sahel alliance

Ousmane Tandja

The diplomatic climate has grown tense once again between Nigeria and the three nations forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Tensions flared after recent remarks by Nigeria’s president, which met with sharp disapproval in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou. During a July 30 gathering with Nigerian traditional leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu linked a portion of the insecurity and kidnappings in northern Nigeria to terrorists originating from neighboring countries. This statement prompted a swift response from Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, who issued a formal communiqué on August…

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Patrice talon elected president of Benin’s new senate chamber

Aïcha Abdou

The inaugural members of Benin’s Senate convened in Porto-Novo, the nation’s capital, to elect their leadership for the newly established upper house of Parliament. On August 6, legislators chose former President Patrice Talon as the Senate’s presiding officer for a five-year term spanning from 2026 to 2031. At 68 years old, Talon secured 24 votes in his favor, with no dissenting ballots cast and a single abstention recorded. His election marks a pivotal moment in Benin’s evolving political landscape, following the constitutional overhaul that reintroduced a bicameral legislative system after…

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Côte d’Ivoire: Ouattara outlines vision for inclusive growth and rule of law

Ousmane Tandja

Afrique International Côte d’Ivoire: Ouattara outlines vision for inclusive growth and rule of law By Editor-in-Chief August 7, 2026 81 No comment Abidjan, August 7, 2026 — On the eve of Côte d’Ivoire’s 66th Independence Day, President Alassane Dramane Ouattara has set forth a bold vision for the nation’s future. His address to the nation transcends mere economic metrics or security assurances, instead framing a dual mandate: accelerating the country’s transformation while deepening the rule of law. The concept of the « Great Côte d’Ivoire » is more than a…

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DRC minister’s words spark debate on constitutional reform

Aïcha Abdou

The recent declaration by Grâce Kutino, Minister of Youth and Patriotic Awakening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has ignited fresh discussions surrounding the country’s constitutional reform process. Speaking at a high-profile event, Kutino’s remarks—captured in the phrase “Yes, I do want it”—have raised questions about the government’s stance on potential amendments to the national charter. What did the minister say? During a parliamentary session focused on constitutional discussions, Grâce Kutino delivered a statement that many interpreted as a strong endorsement of revisiting the existing constitutional framework. Her…

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US-Morocco ties shift focus to Ceuta and Western Sahara

Aïcha Abdou

Relations between the United States and Morocco are entering a new phase, with Washington’s stance on both the Western Sahara dispute and Spain’s North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla showing signs of alignment with Rabat’s positions. This shift could reshape geopolitical dynamics in the western Mediterranean and place Madrid in an unprecedented position. Since late July, signals from Washington toward Rabat have intensified across multiple fronts: the Western Sahara dossier, economic cooperation, regional security, and now the status of Ceuta and Melilla. The two nations appear determined to deepen…

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Bruno guimarães finalizes his move to arsenal with deal already completed

Aïcha Abdou

bruno guimarães finalizes his move to arsenal with deal already completed Arsenal’s long-awaited midfield reinforcement is finally here: Bruno Guimarães. While the official announcement is scheduled for Friday, whispers across London suggest the deal has been locked in for days. Every box has been ticked. Behind-the-scenes deal already sealed The Brazilian international has completed his medical checks, inked his contract, and even posed in the Gunners’ kit. The photos are ready; only the club’s press release is missing. Newcastle United’s managerial shake-up briefly stirred speculation. Matthias Jaissle’s arrival on Tyneside…

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Senegal three influencers jailed for insulting president

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal: Three influencers handed prison sentences for insulting the president Three Senegalese social media personalities, known for their proximity to the former ruling party Pastef, have been sentenced to jail time after posting a controversial video on TikTok. The ruling comes amid escalating political tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. The court convicted Mandoumbe Diop, known as Lamignou Darou, to three months in prison, while Magueye Diaw (Oustaz Thiep) and Moustapha Ndiaye (Ndiaye Touba) received two-month sentences each. All three were also fined 500,000…

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Ebola outbreak spreads rapidly across eastern DRC

Ousmane Tandja

An Ebola outbreak erupted on May 15 in Ituri Province, located in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since then, the Bundibugyo virus—a rare strain of Ebola for which no approved vaccine or targeted treatment currently exists—has continued its relentless spread. Neighboring eastern provinces, including North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo, as well as neighboring Uganda, are also grappling with the outbreak. Despite the deployment of emergency response teams from humanitarian organizations, the situation remains dire. As of July 30, the latest data indicates…

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Gabon’s president explores Côte d’Ivoire’s development model for national projects

Aïcha Abdou

President Oligui Nguema examines Ivorian infrastructure projects The head of state of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, dedicated a full day to exploring key infrastructure developments in Abidjan during his official visit to Côte d’Ivoire. This hands-on inspection allowed him to evaluate firsthand the progress in diplomatic, industrial, and urban sectors—all with the goal of gathering insights to inform Gabon’s own long-term development initiatives. Among the stops was the site designated for Gabon’s future ambassadorial residence and staff housing. Upon reviewing the current status of the project, which had stalled,…

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Mali’s emergency health projects see rapid progress in Bamako

Aïcha Abdou

West africa Mali’s emergency health projects see rapid progress in Bamako Construction of two new hospitals in Bamako’s Commune III and VI is advancing swiftly, marking a key step in strengthening Mali’s healthcare infrastructure. — 1 min read On August 6, 2026, a high-level government delegation, led by Colonel-major Assa Badiallo Touré, Mali’s Minister of Health and Social Development, inspected the construction sites of the new hospitals in Bamako’s Commune III and Commune VI. These facilities are part of the government’s urgent healthcare initiative, designed to expand access to essential…

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Gabon’s mining sector drives post-oil economic shift

Ousmane Tandja

With Gabon’s oil production steadily declining, authorities are pivoting toward a robust mining strategy to anchor economic diversification and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. The country plans to launch eight new mining operations by 2030, positioning the sector as a key driver of growth and stability. The Minister of Mines, Sosthène Nguema Nguema, confirmed that several high-priority projects are currently under evaluation or in advanced stages of preparation. These initiatives focus on iron ore, gold, and potash, with key deposits including Milingui, Baniaka, Mébaga, and M’Bilan for iron; Etéké for gold;…

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