Author: Aïcha Abdou

The safety of Bamako is no longer a given. Once a forbidden topic, this harsh reality now dominates daily discussions across the city. On May 19, 2026, the rural commune of Siby, just 30 kilometers from the capital, became the stage for an unprecedented assault that exposed the fragility of Mali’s security situation. Flames at the gates of the capital In the afternoon of that day, the highway linking Bamako to Guinea erupted into chaos. Witnesses recounted how armed assailants on motorcycles converged on the national road near Siby, intercepting…

economic investigation2026 Tabaski in Senegal: why the sheep feast is pushing families into debt Every year, millions of Senegalese families plunge into debt to buy a sheep for Tabaski. From rotating savings clubs to microfinance lenders and informal loan sharks, an entire ecosystem of debt has grown around a religious celebration now turned social crisis. While Morocco has found a solution, Senegal still waits. Two weeks before Tabaski, the same anxiety grips fathers of families in Dakar—from working-class neighborhoods to the Almadies. The price of a sheep has climbed again:…

Defence minister’s home raided in Burkina Faso’s financial scandal The Burkina Faso military is reeling from a betrayal at the highest level after a shocking theft of public funds. General Célestin Simporé, the country’s Defence minister, has been the victim of a brazen daylight robbery—170 million F CFA in cash vanished from his private residence. Shockingly, the alleged thief was not an outsider but one of his own trusted bodyguards, who is now reportedly hiding across the border. A breach of trust within the ranks The incident, first whispered among…

Chad’s economic transition is entering a critical phase, with the government pushing forward its « Tchad Connexion 2030 » initiative—a bold roadmap designed to steer the country away from its heavy reliance on oil revenues. International partners, including multilateral and bilateral donors, have reaffirmed their backing in N’Djamena, sending a strong political signal for a Sahelian nation long sidelined by regional instability. The real test now lies in whether this diplomatic alignment will translate into tangible financial flows matching the country’s pressing needs. Chad’s economic landscape remains fragile. Landlocked and…

The presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire unfolded under heavy security and heightened vigilance, yet concluded without significant incidents according to early reports from Abidjan. Polling stations across the nation functioned smoothly, with voters casting ballots under a reinforced security framework. Authorities had preemptively addressed concerns about potential communal clashes or post-election unrest, and the day passed without the feared escalations. High-stakes vote tests Ivory Coast’s political resilience This election took place against a backdrop of deep scrutiny. As West Africa’s largest economy within the West African Economic and Monetary Union…

Following Tottenham’s recent 1-2 defeat against Chelsea this Tuesday, manager Roberto De Zerbi delivered a stark assessment of the club’s current predicament. He declared the upcoming Sunday fixture against Everton, a pivotal encounter for Premier League survival, to be “more important than a trophy.” De Zerbi’s powerful statement underscores the critical nature of the relegation battle, drawing a direct comparison to the club’s past triumphs, notably their Europa League victory from the previous season. For Tottenham, securing their top-flight status is now paramount, overshadowing even the glory of continental silverware.…