Author: Aïcha Abdou

Journalist

Survivor’s account of detention in Central African Republic

Aïcha Abdou

I thought I would never make it out alive. Those words, spoken by Joseph Figueira, a Belgo-Portuguese researcher, echo the harrowing ordeal he endured during his detention in the Central African Republic. Arrested two years ago by Wagner Group mercenaries in Zemio, a town in the southeast, Figueira was held in secret prisons before his release on humanitarian grounds on April 7. From Arrest to Survival Figueira’s detention raises critical questions. Was his arrest random, or was he deliberately targeted? His experiences in Bria and other undisclosed locations paint a…

Read More

Sénégal : vers une cohabitation fratricide au pouvoir, entre Bassirou Diomaye Faye et Ousmane Sonko

Aïcha Abdou

Ousmane Sonko a retrouvé ce week-end son domicile privé dakarois : « Ce soir, je dormirai le cœur léger », a réagi le désormais ancien premier ministre, vendredi soir, après que le président de la République, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a mis fin à ses fonctions. Mais le charismatique leader des Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité (Pastef) n’envisage pas pour autant une retraite politique, bien au contraire. By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

Read More

Wolfsburg stunned by Paderborn in relegation playoff

Aïcha Abdou

Wolfsburg stunned by Paderborn in relegation playoff VfL Wolfsburg suffered a dramatic defeat against Paderborn in the relegation playoff, slipping into 2.Bundesliga for the first time since 1996-97. Wolfsburg’s hopes of staying in the Bundesliga were crushed last night following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Paderborn in the relegation playoff’s decisive leg. The match, played in front of a packed home crowd, saw the Lower Saxony-based club plunge into the second division for the first time in nearly three decades. The game began explosively. Within three minutes, Wolfsburg took the…

Read More

Chadian judges file complaint against public security minister

Aïcha Abdou

The executive boards of the Chadian Magistrates’ Union (SMT) and the Autonomous Magistrates’ Association of Chad (SYAMAT) have formally lodged a complaint against Ali Ahmat Aghabache, Minister of Public Security and Immigration, with the Prosecutor General at the N’Djamena Court of Appeal. In their filing, the unions allege that the minister’s recent public statements have severely undermined the integrity of the judiciary and disrespected the magistrates’ professional standing. The accusations follow a widely circulated address delivered by Aghabache on May 24, 2026, in which he reportedly made disparaging and defamatory…

Read More

Senegal’s new prime minister: Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo steps in amid political shifts

Aïcha Abdou

In a decisive move reshaping Senegal‘s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as the new Prime Minister, following the abrupt dismissal of Ousmane Sonko. The announcement, delivered via a televised decree, marks a significant turn in the nation’s governance amid recent turmoil. Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo, a seasoned economist with a background at the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), brings extensive experience to the role. Prior to this appointment, he served as Secretary-General in the initial government formed by President…

Read More

Mali’s rebel alliance reshapes power in Kidal

Aïcha Abdou

Mali’s rebel alliance reshapes power in Kidal In late April, a coordinated offensive by Islamist militants and Tuareg separatists sent shockwaves through Mali’s military and its Russian allies. The attack, involving the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM)—linked to Al-Qaeda—and the Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA), overwhelmed Malian forces and Africa Corps troops, leading to a dramatic shift in control. Kidal falls to Tuareg rebels The FLA, a Tuareg armed group, now controls Kidal, a city they had lost to government forces in late 2023.…

Read More

Ligue 1 showdown: OGC nice faces as saint-étienne in critical relegation playoff

Aïcha Abdou

Ligue 1 showdown: OGC nice faces as saint-étienne in critical relegation playoff Nice Maxime Bacquié The OGC Nice faces a defining moment in Ligue 1 as they prepare for a high-stakes relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne. The Gym must navigate a challenging path without key players and without their supportive fanbase. Alone against the odds. That’s the unrelenting challenge confronting the OGC Nice squad as they brace for a pivotal relegation playoff encounter. The Gym stands at a crossroads, fighting to secure their Ligue 1 status in a two-legged showdown…

Read More

Asse prepares for ligue 1 playoff battle against nice, key players’ fitness in focus

Aïcha Abdou

ASSE prepares for Ligue 1 playoff battle against Nice, key players’ fitness in focus Saint-Étienne Facebook Whatsapp Mail Copier le lien Ajouter ICI en favori sur Google As the AS Saint-Étienne squad gears up for the critical Ligue 1 playoff first leg against OGC Nice this Tuesday at Geoffroy-Guichard, questions surround the availability of key players. Left-back Ben Old remains a doubt after a hamstring injury during the play-offs against Rodez, while midfielder Florian Tardieu is confirmed to be fit for action following his recovery from a calf issue. Just…

Read More

Sénégal’s political landscape reshaped: Sonko poised for assembly leadership

Aïcha Abdou

Sénégal’s political arena is currently experiencing a significant transformation following the Sunday resignation of El Malick Ndiaye, who served as President of the National Assembly. This pivotal departure could clear the path for former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to assume leadership of the legislative body, merely days after his unexpected dismissal by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In a public statement shared via Facebook, El Malick Ndiaye cited his decision as being rooted in his vision for national institutions and the overarching interests of the country, opting not to elaborate further.…

Read More

Bénin: Romuald Wadagni sworn in with 94% vote amid opposition exclusion

Aïcha Abdou

BÉNIN — POLITICAL SHIFT Romuald Wadagni inaugurated as Bénin’s president with 94% mandate after opposition barred Romuald Wadagni took the oath of office in Cotonou on May 24, marking the start of a seven-year term. The former Finance Minister inherits an economy praised by international partners and a political landscape where dissent has been virtually erased. His victory raises questions about continuity and pluralism in Bénin’s democratic trajectory. With 94% of the vote in a poll where the largest opposition party was disqualified, Romuald Wadagni’s inauguration in Bénin stands out…

Read More

Sénégal : limogé par Diomaye Faye, Sonko s’en va “le cœur léger”

Aïcha Abdou

Sénégal : limogé par Diomaye Faye, Sonko s’en va “le cœur léger” euronews videos lun. 25 mai 2026 à 9:28 AM UTC Ajoutez Yahoo comme source préférée pour voir nos articles sur Google. Le limogeage du Premier ministre du Sénégal, Ousmane Sonko, et la dissolution de son gouvernement par le président Bassirou Diomaye Faye risque d’aggraver l’incertitude dans un pays déjà aux prises avec une crise de la dette et des négociations interminables avec le FMI. Publicité À propos de nos publicités By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

Read More

Senegal’s political divide: supporters of Sonko face uncertainty after dismissal

Aïcha Abdou

In the heart of Dakar, the political landscape remains unsettled following the abrupt dismissal of the Prime Minister. The presidential decree terminating Ousmane Sonko’s tenure has left many citizens grappling with a mix of resignation and disillusionment, as months of friction between the two top leaders of the nation reached a breaking point. Mixed reactions among Sonko’s supporters « Finally, it had to happen. We, as Sonko’s supporters, saw this coming. He has achieved more than any minister in Senegal’s history. Standing by him makes us even prouder. Bassirou Diomaye…

Read More