Author: Aïcha Abdou

When discussing Patrice Talon’s legacy in Benin, one achievement towers above the rest: roads. Over the past decade, the president has reshaped the nation’s infrastructure from the ground up. Dusty paths have been replaced by smooth asphalt, and crumbling streets now lead to thriving communities. Whether in bustling Cotonou or remote villages, Talon’s infrastructure revolution has put progress within reach for every Beninese citizen. As his term nears its end, his most visible accomplishment is undeniable—the transformation of Benin’s road network. In 2016, Patrice Talon inherited a country where broken…

Following the arrest of activist Kemi Seba—legally known as Robert Gilles Stellio Capo Chichi—in Pretoria, the government of Benin has officially addressed the situation. During a recent cabinet meeting, government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji conveyed a tone of quiet resolve, remarking with measured confidence: « The heavens themselves have settled our debates. » Why Benin is demanding his return While diplomatic reactions are expected in such cases, Benin has gone further by detailing the legal and national security grounds for its extradition request. Authorities allege that Kemi Seba has repeatedly…

Mali and Niger have reignited long-standing claims that Algeria is fueling terrorism across the Sahel by providing safe havens, logistical aid, and indirect backing to armed factions operating south of its borders. While Malian and Nigerien officials refrained from directly pointing fingers at Algeria during a regional security gathering in Senegal this week, their remarks closely mirrored prior accusations from Bamako. For months, Mali has alleged that Algiers has evolved into a strategic rear base for terrorist and separatist networks active in northern Mali. “Certain neighboring states are currently harboring…

Despite Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s bold declarations about achieving food self-sufficiency, Burkina Faso remains heavily reliant on humanitarian aid to feed its population. Recent shipments of rice from Pakistan, China, and Canada highlight the stark gap between political promises and ground reality, as the military-led government fails to address a worsening food crisis. Humanitarian aid exposes military governance failures The arrival of 2,422 tons of Pakistani rice—celebrated in a public ceremony—underscores the Burkina Faso food crisis and the transitional authorities’ inability to stabilize the nation’s food supply over three years after…

Currently held in Pretoria following his apprehension for alleged immigration violations, the prominent pan-Africanist figure, Kémi Séba, has vehemently denounced what he describes as political persecution. However, beneath the surface of his sovereignty-focused discourse, our investigation uncovers a web of clandestine and unsettling alliances, stretching from Russian influence operations to factions within white supremacist movements. The arrest that ignites online discourse From his South African cell, Kémi Séba’s indignation remains palpable. The Franco-Beninese activist characterizes his arrest as merely another “cabal,” purportedly orchestrated by adversaries—specifically, France and the Beninese government—to…

The Togo has positioned itself as a potential mediator between military-led nations in the Sahel—Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—and the international community, unveiling a refreshed approach to regional security challenges. Speaking on April 18, Robert Dussey, Togo’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the urgency of this strategy, noting the Sahel’s escalation into a hotspot for jihadist violence threatening regional stability. Three strategic pillars for Sahel stability Togo’s renewed diplomatic framework rests on three core pillars: Regional collaboration: Strengthening partnerships to uphold peace and security across the Sahel. Peace facilitation: Taking a proactive…

Burkina Faso’s Military Regime Tightens Grip on Civil Society with Harsh Measures The military government in Burkina Faso is escalating its suppression of civil society through restrictive laws, administrative pressures, and punitive actions targeting both national and international organizations, according to reports from Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) under the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Kisal Observatory. Activists urge the junta to immediately halt its crackdown on independent voices and humanitarian groups while upholding…