Day: September 16, 2026

What the Baleine deal actually changes for Ivory Coast Ivory Coast’s flagship offshore project has a new partner. On Wednesday, September 16, Eni closed the sale of a 10% interest in the Baleine oil and gas field to Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR. The move reshapes the ownership map of the country’s most-watched hydrocarbon venture. After the transaction, Eni retains 37.25%, Vitol holds 30%, Petroci controls 22.75% and SOCAR now sits at 10%. The agreement between the two companies was first signed on January 22, 2026, but the transfer only…

When Romuald Wadagni stepped off the plane in Kigali for his first official trip abroad since taking office in May, the question hanging over the 48-hour visit was simple: can a partnership built on shared security interests and economic ambition survive the tests of time and politics? The Beninese president’s working visit to the Rwandan capital, where he met with President Paul Kagame, signals Cotonou’s determination to keep a bilateral relationship that has become a reference point on the continent from fading into ceremonial routine. Wadagni’s choice of Rwanda for…

Can displaced Burkinabè truly go back to their homeland in safety and dignity? That pressing question lies at the heart of three tripartite agreements signed in Lomé on September 11 by Benin, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). These accords aim to lay the groundwork for a voluntary, safe, and dignified return—when conditions allow. But with ongoing violence, human rights abuses, and political instability inside Burkina Faso, the stakes for getting this right couldn’t be higher. What the Lomé agreements actually establish The signing in Lomé…

In the wake of a failed coup attempt, Niger’s military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani has launched another sweeping government shake-up—this time firing four key ministers. But as fear drives decision-making at the highest levels, a critical question looms: is this purge a shield for survival or a self-inflicted wound hastening the regime’s downfall? Why Tiani sees enemies everywhere Just days after restructuring top military command posts, Tiani abruptly dismissed ministers overseeing Agriculture, Land Reform, Energy, and Communications. The move follows the botched coup on the night of August 28–29—a stark…

Facing mounting pressure to stabilize regional trade amid growing insecurity and infrastructure gaps, Benin is betting big on its role as West Africa’s logistics linchpin. With the Autonomous Port of Cotonou as its anchor and backed by a €30 million investment from the European Union and Belgian cooperation agency Enabel, the country is overhauling its road and customs systems to serve as Niger’s lifeline—and potentially reshape cross-border commerce across the region. Why Benin holds the key to landlocked Niger’s survival Benin’s coastal position makes it more than just a neighbor—it’s…

On August 21, 2026, a chilling new chapter unfolded in Niger’s security crisis. As worshippers streamed out of Friday prayers, heavily armed militants surrounded multiple mosques, sealed exits, and forcibly marched nearly 500 civilians into dense forest terrain. Days later, their fate remains unknown—a haunting symbol of the military regime’s crumbling promise to protect its people. When friday prayers turn into mass abductions Just after 1 p.m. that fateful Friday, tranquility gave way to terror. Dozens of well-armed assailants executed a coordinated operation, trapping defenseless congregants—young boys, elders, and adults…

The turning point: how military operations reshaped the conflict The Nigerian military’s sustained campaign in the Lake Chad region has delivered a major blow to Boko Haram and ISWAP, raising a critical question: Can Africa’s most populous nation finally end the jihadist insurgency that has plagued its northeast for over 15 years? In a recent briefing from Maiduguri, the outgoing commander of Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, unveiled staggering statistics that underscore the intensity and scale of the recent offensive. Record losses for insurgents: over 1,100 fighters neutralized…

Could a bookstore become the unlikely stage for one of West Africa’s most ambitious cultural statements in Europe? That is the question hanging over the Fnac Saint-Lazare in Paris, where Benin will take center stage from September 22 to October 17, 2026. For nearly four weeks, the venue will host an unprecedented lineup of exhibitions, conversations, film screenings, and live music designed to spark a genuine dialogue between history, memory, spirituality, and contemporary creation. This is not a folkloric display. The program, organized with support from the Embassy of the…