Author: Aïcha Abdou

Benin’s president Wadagni strengthens ties with Mali and AES Beninese President Romuald Wadagni continues his West African diplomatic tour, making stops in Niger and Burkina Faso before arriving in Mali. The visit underscores his administration’s commitment to restoring robust relations with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Diplomatic thaw between Bamako and Cotonou Romuald Wadagni’s visit to Bamako marks a pivotal moment in Beninese-Malian relations. On June 9, he held productive talks with Malian transitional leader Assimi Goïta, culminating in a…

Historic launch of Morocco–Council of Europe partnership renewal The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad hosted a formal launch ceremony in Rabat on Tuesday for the fifth phase of the Morocco–Council of Europe Neighborhood Partnership (2026–2029). The event brought together key stakeholders from relevant ministries and institutions, representatives from the Council of Europe Office in Rabat, and ambassadors from European Union member states accredited to Morocco. Strategic discussions on progress and future implementation The proceedings featured two expert panels: the first examined past achievements and future…

The Gabon-European Union partnership dialogue session was held in Libreville, co-chaired by Hermann Immongault, vice-president of the Gabonese government, and Cécile Abadie, the EU ambassador to Gabon. Discussions focused on political reforms, economic prospects, the environment, and regional and multilateral issues. A key highlight was the EU’s call for a partnership built on stronger consultation, investment, and multilateralism. Co-chaired by Hermann Immongault and Cécile Abadie, the meeting brought together several government officials and ambassadors from EU member states accredited to Gabon. Topics included the country’s economic situation, the business climate,…

On Monday, June 8, 2026, in Lomé, the United Nations Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and head of MONUSCO, James Swan, together with the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, met with Togolese Council President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who serves as the African Union mediator for the eastern DRC crisis. According to the Togolese presidency, discussions focused on the progress of ongoing diplomatic efforts and the United Nations’ contribution to the African Union-led mediation aimed at a lasting resolution to the crisis…

Franck Nguema, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, has urged a comprehensive transformation of Gabon’s National Health Insurance and Social Guarantee Fund (CNAMGS). During a press briefing held in Akanda on June 8, 2026, Nguema addressed the ongoing debates stemming from the 2025 World Health Organization (WHO) report. He firmly stated that the core issue is not to question the very existence of CNAMGS, but rather to enhance its capacity to ensure all insured individuals receive tangible access to high-quality healthcare services. According to Nguema, the WHO report did…

Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé hosted two senior United Nations officials on Monday, 8 June 2026, in Lomé. The envoys are James Swan, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and head of MONUSCO, along with Huang Xia, the special envoy for the Great Lakes region. This meeting formed part of the biannual review of the African Union’s mediation efforts. Discussions focus on mediation progress The talks centred on the current state of diplomatic initiatives and the United Nations’ role in backing African-led mediation.…

Lomé hosted a high-level gathering on Monday, 8 June 2026, dedicated to african mediation over the crisis shaking eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region. Chaired by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the mediator appointed by the African Union, this meeting focused on a central challenge: better coordinating still scattered peace initiatives. Around the table sat the facilitators designated by the African Union, along with representatives from the United Nations, EAC, ECCAS, SADC, ICGLR and ICRC. The presence of these actors reflects the complexity of a file…

African Union envoy faure gnassingbé intensifies efforts for peace in eastern DRC As the African Union’s (AU) designated mediator for the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region, Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo and current AU Council Chairperson, convened an urgent high-level review in Lomé to assess six months of mediation efforts in the conflict-stricken area. The meeting brought together senior representatives from the AU facilitators, alongside delegates from the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and key regional blocs including…