Author: Aïcha Abdou

As Brussels prepares to mark three decades since its first Pride Parade—a milestone in the fight for visibility and equality—the situation in Senegal tells a starkly different story. In Dakar, a far darker reality is unfolding, where newly enacted legislation has institutionalized the persecution of LGBTQIA+ individuals, positioning the country among Africa’s most repressive. Under the guise of national sovereignty, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye signed into law a bill that drastically increases penalties for By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

Saint-Étienne will face a Ligue 1 opponent next week after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout sealed their promotion hopes. The Verts battled to a 0-0 draw against Rodez, but clinched victory 7-6 on penalties, ending a five-game losing streak in shootouts—a drought dating back a decade. Maubleu’s heroics send Saint-Étienne through Philippe Montanier’s gamble paid off when he replaced the starting goalkeeper with penalty specialist Brice Maubleu, who delivered four crucial saves. Though he missed his own attempt, Maubleu’s heroics ensured Rodez’s shooters were left empty-handed. “I had the chance to…

In a dramatic turn of events, Saint-Étienne secured a thrilling victory over Rodez in the Ligue 2 playoffs, advancing to face the 16th-placed team from Ligue 1. The match, which ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time, was decided by a penalty shootout that saw Saint-Étienne triumph 7-6. Maubleu’s heroics seal the deal The turning point came when manager Philippe Montanier made the bold decision to substitute first-choice goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur with his deputy, Brice Maubleu, in the dying moments of the game. The 36-year-old shot-stopper, who replaced Larsonneur in…

In Senegal, a French national has been held in detention for three months following an arrest linked to allegations of homosexuality. The case comes amid a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in the country, where authorities have recently passed stricter legislation criminalizing same-sex relations. The individual, a 30-year-old engineer residing in Dakar, was taken into custody on February 14. According to official sources, the arrest was part of a sweeping operation targeting multiple individuals on charges including acts against nature, criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and attempted HIV transmission. Diplomatic intervention…

A mere two weeks before Tabaski 2026, Burkina Faso’s abrupt halt on all livestock exports has left Côte d’Ivoire scrambling to secure 172,000 animals—a task complicated by dwindling regional suppliers. While Ouagadougou frames the move as an economic necessity, the timing and scope of the decision raise questions about deeper diplomatic currents. The three-line announcement, issued jointly by Burkina Faso’s Ministries of Commerce, Agriculture, and Economy, dropped on May 8, 2026. Effective May 11, all Special Export Authorizations (ASE) for livestock were suspended indefinitely. Operators with valid ASEs had just…