Author: Aïcha Abdou

Their alliance was meant to safeguard the President’s position within the Superior Council of the Judiciary, despite the promised reforms. It was also forged to disregard calls for transparent leadership recruitment, which were explicitly outlined in their shared agenda. They vowed to repeal the amnesty law but left it unchanged in practice. Political funds were distributed without scrutiny, even though the reform to regulate them required only a parliamentary majority—one they secured months after taking office. Accountability under scrutiny The Assembly, a cornerstone of the Republic, deserves better than political…

In a significant development for Chadian politics, President Mahamat Idriss Déby has issued a decree granting a full pardon to opposition figure and former Prime Minister, Succès Masra. Masra had been serving a 20-year prison sentence for over a year. This executive clemency not only applies to Masra but also extends to eight other prominent opposition leaders, completely nullifying their prison terms. While the government frames this action as a gesture aimed at fostering national appeasement, many political analysts and actors in Chad are adopting a cautious perspective. They often…

In Senegal’s political landscape, where most opposition figures remain confined to Dakar’s meeting rooms, two leaders stand out for their relentless grassroots engagement. Barthélémy Dias, former Dakar mayor, and Maguette Sène have become the rare voices investing time and energy beyond the capital’s elite circles. Their approach contrasts sharply with other opposition figures—particularly those aligned with the Front for the Defense of the Republic and Democracy (FDR)—who focus primarily on issuing statements or organizing formal meetings. While these groups debate electoral processes or internal party disputes, Dias and Sène are…

Democratic Republic of the Congo: president Tshisekedi backs down amid opposition outrage On August 13, faced with mounting pressure from the Article 64 Coalition (C64)—a united front of major opposition parties launched in May—President Félix Tshisekedi requested a parliamentary review of the draft law outlining conditions for a constitutional referendum. The coalition, which includes prominent figures like Moïse Katumbi, has long accused the government of using the reform to enable the president to seek a third term, a move prohibited by the 2006 Constitution. The previous day, Kinshasa witnessed a…

A new political standoff in Senegal centers on asset disputes Political tensions in Senegal have reached a critical point as a fresh dispute over state-owned assets threatens to deepen divisions between government leaders. At the heart of the controversy lies a disagreement over the management and allocation of valuable national properties, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko locked in a sharp disagreement. Escalating disagreements over national assets The conflict centers on a series of high-value properties whose ownership and control have become a point of contention.…

Cameroon president Paul Biya’s prolonged Swiss retreat fuels uncertainty Switzerland emerges as the de facto center of power as Paul Biya marks over 65 days away from Cameroon, sparking concerns and opposition criticism. Geneva’s quiet streets have become an unlikely backdrop for Cameroon’s political drama. For more than two months, President Paul Biya—Cameroon’s leader for 43 years—has remained in Switzerland, raising questions about his health and the country’s governance. His absence, now surpassing 65 days, marks an unprecedented chapter in a presidency that has long operated behind closed doors. The…