Author: Aïcha Abdou

In Mali, the skies have become a battleground not just for armed groups, but for the civilians caught beneath them. What was once marketed as a surgical strike solution—using drones to precisely target militant formations—has evolved into a grim reality where entire villages bear the scars of aerial assaults. New findings reveal a stark turning point: between 2023 and 2026, 199 drone strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 731 civilians, shattering lives and communities across northern and central Mali. From promises of precision to a crisis of civilian…

Benin Benin’s digital tax push gains unstoppable momentum as Parakou, Comè and Lokossa go live The decisive breakthrough comes on 21 September 2026, when partner taxpayers attached to the small-business tax centres in Parakou, Comè and Lokossa begin using the DGI’s e-services platform — a shift that marks a turning point in Benin’s fiscal modernisation. Rita Zimé 18 Sep 2026•Updated 18 Sep 2026 ECONOMY Partner taxpayers registered with the small-business tax centres (CIPE) in Parakou, Comè and Lokossa will gain progressive access to the DGI’s e-services platform starting 21 September…

The breaking point: How mass arrests have pushed Mali’s prisons beyond capacity The prison system in Mali has reached a critical juncture, with overcrowding spiraling out of control. While structural weaknesses have long plagued the sector, the situation has deteriorated sharply in recent years. A surge in police raids and military security operations—amplified by the country’s political transition—has flooded already strained detention centers with thousands of new inmates. The Central House of Detention in Bamako, originally designed to hold 600 prisoners, now accommodates over 10,000, a stark reminder of the…

The World Bank Group is hosting Open Days on September 21 and 22, 2026, at the Ice Rink of Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, marking a decisive moment for young Ivorians seeking education, training, jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities. This two-day event represents a turning point, directly connecting youth with programs, projects, and financing options available in Côte d’Ivoire. Students looking for guidance, recent graduates hunting for their first job, project leaders, startup founders, and young professionals will have the chance to engage with experts and explore the resources designed to…

The military junta in Niger has struggled to curb the escalating insecurity gripping the nation, but a bold move by the Popular Front for Justice (FPL) may mark a decisive turning point. In a sweeping move to bypass traditional channels, the rebel movement has released a multilingual video appeal, directly targeting the country’s youth to join its ranks against the faltering regime. Why the FPL’s youth call could reshape Niger’s security deadlock With the junta failing to deliver on its promises of stability, the FPL is positioning itself as a…

Brigitte Tchede’s two-medal haul in Cairo: can Benin turn a historic double into lasting athletic momentum? When Benin’s flag rose twice at the 12th African University Games in Cairo, it wasn’t the result of a massive delegation or a generous budget. It was the work of one athlete. Brigitte Tchede, a 24-year-old from Porto-Novo, delivered both of Benin’s medals at Egypt 2026 — a silver in the discus throw and another podium finish in a second discipline. The immediate question is simple: does this double breakthrough signal a genuine turning…

Benin Benin’s senate budget 2027: can the upper house deliver without straining public finances? The question hanging over Cotonou this week is simple but loaded: can Benin’s fledgling Senate fund its own operations for 2027 without adding pressure to an already stretched national treasury? On Thursday, 17 September 2026, senators gathered at their temporary seat in Les Cocotiers, Cotonou, to formally examine and approve the institution’s operating and investment budget for the coming year. What the plenary session actually approved The deliberation came just 48 hours after the chamber adopted…