Author: Aïcha Abdou

Journalist

GEMIA honors new generation of Tchad’s military student cadre

Aïcha Abdou

Tchad GEMIA honors new generation of Tchad’s military student cadre The Groupement des Écoles Militaires Interarmées celebrated the sixth cohort of military student cadres, recognizing top performers in a ceremony attended by high-ranking military and civilian leaders. — 2 min read N’Djamena, June 4, 2026 – Under skies laden with significance, the Groupement des Écoles Militaires Interarmées (GEMIA) hosted a momentous dual ceremony: the commissioning of its sixth military student cadre cohort and the presentation of excellence awards. The event drew the attendance of top military and civilian dignitaries, including…

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Niger activist Nassirou Bodo imprisoned after criticizing military junta

Aïcha Abdou

A Nigerien activist known for his vocal opposition to the ruling military council has been remanded in custody at the Niamey prison following a series of sharp rebukes against the current administration. Nassirou Bodo was transferred to the Niamey detention center after appearing before the public prosecutor. This legal action follows a period of police custody sparked by his recent public statements on social media. Civil society representatives have confirmed the activist’s imprisonment, noting that the legal proceedings are focused on his digital communications. Official reports indicate that he is…

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Cameroon’s new mobile phone tax: a roadblock to digital progress

Aïcha Abdou

Cameroon’s new mobile phone tax: a roadblock to digital progress Résumer Ecouter Commenter « Everywhere countries have successfully navigated their digital transition, they have first sought to connect the maximum number of citizens, to reduce the cost of access to technological tools, and to make digital a lever for inclusion and economic competitiveness. Cameroon, however, chooses to condition this inclusion on the payment of a tax. In a country where the average income does not always allow for absorbing this type of additional cost, this decision is not neutral. It has…

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FMI flags fiscal dominance risks in Morocco’s monetary policy

Aïcha Abdou

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a comprehensive analysis examining the autonomy of central banks across the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Findings indicate a clear correlation between enhanced central bank independence and superior inflation control, along with stronger resilience against macroeconomic disruptions. The study delves into the intricate relationship between fiscal policy and monetary policy, assessing their combined impact on the latter’s effectiveness. To quantify fiscal dominance, the IMF employs a specific metric: the net claims of the banking system on the state, expressed…

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Gabon regulators and meta discuss social media regulation amid platform suspensions

Aïcha Abdou

The future of social media in Gabon took center stage at an international digital regulation conference, where key discussions unfolded between Gabon‘s top media authority and a leading global tech platform. From June 1 to 3, 2026, Gabon‘s Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) President, Germain Ngoyo Moussavou, participated in the Abidjan 2 conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The event, organized by the Réseau des Instances Africaines de Régulation de la Communication (RIARC) and the Réseau Francophone des Régulateurs des Médias (REFRAM), brought together digital regulators, AI experts, and representatives…

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Political tensions between Sonko and Senegal’s president grow

Aïcha Abdou

The political rift between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has now become impossible to ignore. During a press conference held in Dakar, the former Prime Minister detailed the reasons behind his party, Pastef-Les Patriotes, declining to join the new government led by Ahmadou Alamine Mohamed Lô. Major disagreements on national priorities Sonko highlighted significant differences with the administration over key national policies. The most pressing disagreements revolve around judicial reform, financial accountability, and the renegotiation of economic contracts that many believe unfairly burden Senegal. Public debt management has…

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Strategic return of France Gabon relations

Aïcha Abdou

Politics France–Gabon: rebuilding a strategic partnership By Editor-in-ChiefJune 4, 202681No comment Libreville, June 4, 2026 – The state visit President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema will undertake to France on July 20 represents far more than a routine diplomatic engagement. During his recent interview with a major international broadcaster, he framed this trip as a defining moment in reshaping Gabon’s ties with Paris amid shifting geopolitical tides across Central Africa and the continent. While neighboring nations reassess their relationships with former colonial powers, Gabon is charting a distinct course. President Oligui…

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Niamey airport demolitions target illegal structures amid rising jihadist threats

Aïcha Abdou

The bustling neighborhood of Kobontafa, just minutes from Niamey’s international airport, is a scene of frantic activity as residents rush to dismantle their own homes. Roofs, doors, and windows are being stripped away in a desperate scramble ahead of imminent demolitions ordered by authorities to clear what they call an illegal occupation of the airport’s perimeter. The crackdown follows a January 29 attack on the Diori Hamani International Airport and a nearby drone base, which left the nation’s security apparatus exposed. Investigations revealed that attackers had exploited unregulated settlements on…

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Expert warns Gabon’s president against partisan hijacking of mandate

Aïcha Abdou

After months of silence, political figure Dieudonné Minlama Mintogo has broken his silence with a pointed warning to Gabon’s new leadership. In a candid interview, the former 2016 presidential candidate cautions that the greatest threat facing the country’s Fifth Republic isn’t economic stagnation or institutional instability — it’s the political risk of reducing President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s sweeping popular mandate into a tool for partisan gain. By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

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Mali’s junta offers bounty for top jihadist and rebel leaders

Aïcha Abdou

Once a Tuareg rebel and seasoned Malian diplomat, Iyad Ag Ghaly now stands as the mastermind behind the JNIM (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin), an alliance forged in 2017 to propagate an extremist agenda across the Sahel. Described as the most wanted figure in the region, Ag Ghaly faces a comprehensive web of global sanctions. His name is etched on the United Nations terror blacklist, the U.S. designated terrorist roster, and he remains under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The…

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Mali offers rewards for key jihadist and rebel leaders after deadly attacks

Aïcha Abdou

Once a Tuareg insurgent and later a Malian diplomat, Iyad Ag Ghaly now leads the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an alliance formed in 2017 that has become the most formidable jihadist threat in the Sahel. His name tops international terror watchlists, including those of the United Nations, the United States, and the International Criminal Court. The latter has issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Malian government faces its most severe security crisis in years following coordinated jihadist attacks on April…

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King appoints judges to reinforce judicial council in Morocco

Aïcha Abdou

His Majesty King Mohammed VI has approved the appointment of two new members to the Supreme Council of the Judiciary. Among these appointments, Mr. Mohamed Abdennabaoui has been reappointed as First President of the Court of Cassation and, in this role, as Deputy President of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary for a second term. Additionally, Ms. Latifa El Harradji and Mr. Nadir El Moumni have been named as new members of the council. In a separate decision, the King also appointed Mr. Farid El Bacha to the Supreme Council…

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