Author: Aïcha Abdou

The president of Senegal’s National Assembly and former prime minister Ousmane Sonko secured a decisive re-election over the weekend as head of his party, Pastef. This political victory quickly served as a platform to caution his political rivals amid the ongoing political crisis in the country. Delegates from national chapters and the diaspora gathered in Diamniadio, near Dakar, for the party’s first congress. At the helm of Pastef since its founding in 2014, Sonko retains his position for a new six-year term. “I fully grasp the weight of this responsibility…

Members of the Union of Managers and Cashiers of Public Pharmaceutical Depots in Burkina Faso gathered for their sixth general assembly in Ouagadougou on Saturday, 6 June 2026. They once again called on authorities to improve their working conditions, demanding the adoption of an official status for a profession they consider vital to the healthcare system. Under the theme “The Resilience of Volunteers Serving the People,” the assembly highlighted growing concerns among participants about their precarious situation. Ousmane Bolly, president of the Union of Managers and Cashiers of Public Pharmaceutical…

malian court jails french agent for state security breach amid diplomatic strain Actus. A Malian judicial ruling has handed a French intelligence operative a 20-year prison sentence. This decision, on charges of By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

CONDEMNATION Mali: french national handed 20-year sentence for alleged state plot Yann Vezilier, a French citizen, has been sentenced by Malian authorities to 20 years of criminal detention. The conviction stems from his alleged involvement in a scheme to destabilize the government led by General Assimi Goïta.  Justice Following the announcement of the verdict, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly reiterated its stance, asserting that the diplomatic agent, condemned to two decades in prison in Mali for “undermining state security,” faces “unfounded accusations.” The Quai d’Orsay affirmed that its…

diplomatic update Belgium to permanently close its embassy in Mali by June 2026 The Belgian government has confirmed plans to shutter its diplomatic mission in Bamako, Mali, effective June 30, 2026. A recent announcement outlines the gradual transfer of consular and diplomatic services to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, marking a strategic shift in Belgium’s diplomatic footprint across the Sahel region. Diplomacy June 5, 2026 The decision to close Belgium’s embassy in Mali reflects a broader restructuring of the country’s global diplomatic network. From June 1, 2026, all consular matters, political engagement,…

French intelligence officer sentenced to two decades in Mali A French intelligence agent operating under diplomatic cover was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Malian authorities on Friday for “threatening state security,” a verdict Paris swiftly dismissed as unfounded. The diplomat, detained in Bamako since August 2025, was also handed a 20-year travel ban and fined €5,400. The trial, held Thursday behind closed doors before the specialized anti-terrorism chamber, concluded with the harsh sentence, according to judicial sources cited by local media. The 30-something French national, identified as Yann…