Author: Aïcha Abdou

Journalist

Strike threat looms over Togo’s autonomous port of Lomé

Aïcha Abdou

Togo’s economic heartbeat faces an imminent crisis as the Autonomous Port of Lomé (PAL) braces for potential paralysis. The Syndicate of PAL Workers has formally declared a three-day strike, scheduled from June 25 to 27, 2026, in protest against the stagnation of critical social demands. a standoff with far-reaching repercussions The root of the conflict lies in stalled negotiations. Despite multiple rounds of discussions, union representatives highlight the persistent lack of progress on core issues, including workplace conditions, wage adjustments, and social benefits. Unless an agreement is reached by June…

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Libreville’s ambitious coastal transformation: Gabon’s vision for the future

Aïcha Abdou

Politique Gabon : Libreville à la reconquête du littoral President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema recently embarked on an inspection tour of major waterfront construction sites in Libreville, signaling his unwavering commitment to transforming the capital’s coastline into a dynamic hub for economic growth, urban appeal, and metropolitan modernization. This initiative is a cornerstone of current African politics focused on tangible development. A nation’s progress is often judged by its leaders’ ability to convert promises into visible achievements. In Libreville, the ongoing coastal development projects are rapidly becoming the most concrete…

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Gabon’s kobe-kobe project: forging a post-oil industrial future

Aïcha Abdou

Gabon is strategically laying the groundwork for its industrial self-reliance beyond the era of oil dominance. Under the decisive leadership of President General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, construction has officially commenced on the monumental Kobé-Kobé deep-sea port. This expansive, integrated initiative, anchored by one of the globe’s most significant iron ore deposits and bolstered by new railway and energy infrastructure, aims to fundamentally reshape the nation’s economic growth paradigm by 2030. The Gabonese coast is set to welcome a premier logistics facility. Located within the Estuaire province, the upcoming Kobé-Kobé…

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Libreville’s Mont-Bouët market: mayor Mba confronts persistent extortion

Aïcha Abdou

Ecouter l’article At the heart of Libreville’s bustling informal economy, a pervasive issue casts a shadow over the daily lives of countless traders. Mont-Bouët, Gabon’s largest market, has become synonymous with systematic extortion, a challenge now squarely facing the capital’s mayor, Eugène Mba. This deeply entrenched system of illicit payments has emerged as the primary obstacle for the new municipal leadership. Beneath the vibrant energy of market stalls and the calls of vendors lies a darker truth. Numerous traders, brought together by the Syndicat des débrouillards du Gabon (SDG) and…

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Gabon strengthens iboga regulation for biodiversity and economic sovereignty

Aïcha Abdou

Gabon has taken a significant step forward in safeguarding its rich biodiversity. Moving ahead, the exploitation and commercialization of iboga, a plant indigenous to Central Africa known for its psychotropic and therapeutic attributes, will now require stringent authorization from state authorities. Libreville is effectively asserting control over this iconic national resource, which has historically been harvested without strict oversight, even as its global economic value has steadily climbed over the past decade. a strategic resource brought under state control The Tabernanthe iboga, a distinct shrub flourishing in Gabon’s equatorial forests,…

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From mougins to the élysée: alassane ouattara’s enduring french connections

Aïcha Abdou

Alassane Ouattara, the president of Côte d’Ivoire, has built strong and lasting friendships in France over the course of his political career. From his early days in Mougins, a picturesque town on the French Riviera, to the hallowed halls of the Élysée Palace, these ties have shaped both his personal journey and the relationship between Abidjan and Paris. Ouattara’s French network includes prominent political figures such as former president Nicolas Sarkozy and current president Emmanuel Macron. The bonds were on full display in August 2019 when Macron warmly welcomed Ouattara…

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Military imbalance in western Sahara conflict deepens

Aïcha Abdou

Western Sahara conflict: polisario faces crushing military disadvantage against Morocco A senior Polisario leader’s death in a precision strike has laid bare the movement’s military inferiority and diplomatic isolation. Despite calls for dialogue, the movement struggles to reconcile its stated positions with ground realities. The killing of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, a key figure in the Sahrawi armed forces and son of a former Polisario president, underscores the stark military asymmetry in the Western Sahara conflict. His death, reportedly from a high-precision drone strike during a withdrawal operation, adds to the…

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Southern Libya’s strategic role in Tuareg rebel logistics for the Kidal offensive

Aïcha Abdou

Consistent intelligence reports indicate that the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) rebels have established a critical strategic corridor linking Libya to northern Mali, traversing Niger, to facilitate their recent military campaign. In the perpetually shifting security landscape of the Sahel, southern Libya re-emerges as a pivotal epicenter for various insurgent movements. Tuareg rebels affiliated with the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) are believed to have utilized Libyan territory as an indispensable logistical rear base to meticulously plan and execute the significant offensive launched on April 25, aimed at reclaiming Kidal. The Fezzan…

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Dakar court defers ousmane sonko’s property dispute to 2026

Aïcha Abdou

The High Court of Dakar has adjourned the legal proceedings between Mame Mbaye Niang and Ousmane Sonko until July 22, 2026. This significant deferral was granted following a request from the legal counsel representing the former Prime Minister, allowing them ample time to formulate their responses to the conclusions presented in court. To reiterate the background of this high-profile case, Mame Mbaye Niang initiated legal action against the former Premier, alleging fraudulent transfer of a real estate asset. Niang seeks to have the villa, currently associated with Ousmane Sonko and…

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Niger champions nafissatou idé sadou for un cedaw role

Aïcha Abdou

Niamey, June 10, 2026 – Niger is actively pursuing a greater presence within key international bodies. To this end, Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, President of the Transitional Consultative Council for Refoundation (CCR), welcomed a delegation on Tuesday, June 9, in Niamey. This group is dedicated to advancing the candidacy of Ms. Nafissatou Idé Sadou for a position on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). A strategic coalition to elevate civil society expertise on the un stage As the esteemed head of the NGO Femmes…

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N’Djamena hosts 25th international pharmaceutical forum, focusing on local production

Aïcha Abdou

The Chadian capital, N’Djamena, has become the focal point for the 25th International Pharmaceutical Forum, drawing together a diverse assembly of experts, healthcare professionals, and delegates from numerous African nations. This significant gathering is dedicated to the crucial theme of enhancing healthcare access, with a strong emphasis on boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing and tackling the persistent challenges within the continent’s health sector. Representing the President of the Republic, Prime Minister Allah Maye Halina extended a warm welcome to all delegations from sister and friendly countries converging in N’Djamena. He highlighted…

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