Author: Aïcha Abdou

Journalist

Niger remains stuck in a cycle of endless warfare

Aïcha Abdou

Despite sweeping regime changes and radical geopolitical shifts, Niamey finds itself trapped in a grinding war of attrition. From Mahamadou Issoufou’s Western alliance strategy to Abdourahamane Tiani’s sovereignty-driven break, the grim reality remains unchanged: on the ground, the terrorist threat shows no sign of retreat. Three presidents, two democratic transitions, one coup d’état, and a single constant: the bloodshed continues across the “three borders” zone and the Lake Chad basin. In Niger, governments come and go, but the jihadist hydra—embodied by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) and…

Read More

Ivorian political group lauds government’s listening ear in electoral reform

Aïcha Abdou

A political coalition in Côte d’Ivoire has commended the government for initiating a reform of the country’s electoral governance, describing the move as a sign that authorities are heeding the concerns raised by political actors and civil society organisations. In a statement delivered by its spokesperson, Zadi Djédjé, the Alliance of Ivorians for Democracy (AID) and the Union of Popular Masses for Peace (UMPP) expressed satisfaction following a briefing held on 22 June at the prime minister’s office. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, focused on restructuring…

Read More

Manchester United lead race for Mateus Fernandes as PSG shift focus

Aïcha Abdou

After securing their second consecutive Champions League title, Paris Saint-Germain are planning an active summer transfer window. The Parisian club aims to refresh Luis Enrique’s squad for the upcoming season and has therefore explored several options, including a move for Mateus Fernandes. However, a Premier League heavyweight appears to be in the driving seat for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder’s transfer. Manchester United in pole position for Mateus Fernandes? According to sources close to the situation, Manchester United are currently in pole position for Mateus Fernandes. The West Ham player reportedly…

Read More

Holiday hustle: N’Djamena teen sells cassava to fund schooling

Aïcha Abdou

For many students, the school break is not a time for complete rest. Instead, it becomes an opportunity to learn real-life lessons firsthand. In N’Djamena, Léa, a tenth-grade student living in the Kilwiti neighbourhood, has chosen to sell cassava. Carrying a basin on her head, she walks the capital’s streets daily in search of customers. “I live with my mother in Kilwiti. I use the holidays to sell cassava, which will help me prepare for the next school term,” she explains. According to Léa, the price of cassava ranges from…

Read More

Lomé hosts third edition of compliance and risk officers meeting in july 2026

Aïcha Abdou

In a globalized economy where trust has become the most valuable currency, Africa is accelerating its regulatory transformation. The Togolese capital will host the third edition of the “Meeting of Compliance and Risk Officers” on 8 and 9 July 2026. This event, now firmly established in the continent’s professional calendar, is set to gather over 1,000 African and European experts. Beyond the numbers, the gathering in Lomé lays the groundwork for a critical challenge: how to reconcile economic growth, the demands of international donors, and business ethics. Compliance becomes the…

Read More

Sénégal referendum on constitutional reform draws national debate

Aïcha Abdou

Sénégal’s constitutional reform to face popular vote after parliamentary approval The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has announced plans to submit the proposed constitutional reform to a national referendum if the National Assembly endorses the changes. The reform, championed by the parliamentary majority, seeks to rebalance institutional powers and reduce the president’s executive prerogatives. The decision was formally communicated on June 29 during a session at the National Assembly by the Minister of Justice, Moussa Sarr. The president invoked Article 103 of the Constitution, which permits constitutional revisions to…

Read More

Boko Haram abducts dozens of students in northeast Nigeria school raid

Aïcha Abdou

Armed Boko Haram militants stormed a public secondary school in Lassa, a town in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria, early this morning and abducted a large number of students. The attack unfolded during a biology examination, catching pupils and staff off guard. The state police spokesman, Nahum Kenneth Daso, confirmed the incident. He said the assailants arrived on motorcycles, blending into the crowd of the weekly market held in Lassa to infiltrate the area undetected. According to authorities, one teacher was killed in the assault, and several students were forcibly taken…

Read More

Cameroon’s Cabral Libii advocates for gradual death penalty abolition

Aïcha Abdou

Politics Cabral Libii pushes for phased abolition of death penalty in Cameroon At the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris, the Cameroonian lawmaker outlined his case for ending executions through a measured approach. Liliane Ndangue |June 30, 2026|4 minutes read AAA Follow Cameroon updates on Google Summarize Listen Comment Cameroonian lawmaker Cabral Libii seized the platform at the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris to champion a progressive end to capital punishment in his country. The legislator argued that a society that truly upholds…

Read More

French league free-to-air match proposal rejected by parliament

Aïcha Abdou

Supporters will have to wait. On Monday evening, the National Assembly rejected an amendment that would have required one Ligue 1 match per matchday to be broadcast on free-to-air television. The measure, initially approved in committee several weeks ago, was intended to be part of the proposed law on reforming professional sports. Its goal was to allow a channel to air a Ligue 1 game each weekend. Lawmakers backing the amendment aimed to make French football more accessible. In the explanatory statement, they argued that the growing number of broadcasters…

Read More

UN warns of ‘exceptional gravity’ violence in eastern DRC

Aïcha Abdou

An independent UN investigative commission stated on Monday 29 June in Geneva that it had received reports of violence of “exceptional gravity” in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The commission detailed incidents including sexual violence, unlawful executions, and the forced recruitment of children. A worrying trend for local communities Presenting before the Human Rights Council, the commission noted that it had gathered testimonies pointing to a severe deterioration in both North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, where residents are described as “vulnerable and without protection”…

Read More

Senegal’s constitutional debate: ousmane sonko challenges president diomaye faye

Aïcha Abdou

Significant constitutional reforms in Sénégal are exposing unprecedented political friction at the highest echelons of power. Following the National Assembly’s approval of the proposed legislation, Ousmane Sonko, who presides over the legislative body, openly voiced his disapproval of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Sonko alleges that President Faye now seeks to alter provisions he staunchly advocated for during his time in the opposition. Addressing the assembled deputies, Ousmane Sonko underscored that this pivotal constitutional overhaul represents the culmination of over a decade of intensive political deliberation. He highlighted that the reform…

Read More

Togo: persistent vulnerabilities amid the rainy season amplify calls for new governance

Aïcha Abdou

Each return of the annual downpours in Togo invariably ushers in a familiar cycle of distress. Extensive road flooding, residential areas inundated, and homes overwhelmed by water are recurring challenges that families are left to confront in isolation. For many Togolese citizens, these environmental adversities are no longer anomalies but have solidified into an expected, annual ordeal. Following more than six decades under the leadership of the Gnassingbé family, a significant segment of the populace believes that Togo is due for a fresh political trajectory. Despite numerous assurances articulated over…

Read More