Senegal three influencers jailed for insulting president

Senegal: Three influencers handed prison sentences for insulting the president Three Senegalese social media personalities, known for their proximity to the former ruling party Pastef, have been sentenced to jail time after posting a controversial video on TikTok. The ruling comes amid escalating political tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. The court convicted Mandoumbe Diop, known as Lamignou Darou, to three months in prison, while Magueye Diaw (Oustaz Thiep) and Moustapha Ndiaye (Ndiaye Touba) received two-month sentences each. All three were also fined 500,000…

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Gabon’s president explores Côte d’Ivoire’s development model for national projects

President Oligui Nguema examines Ivorian infrastructure projects The head of state of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, dedicated a full day to exploring key infrastructure developments in Abidjan during his official visit to Côte d’Ivoire. This hands-on inspection allowed him to evaluate firsthand the progress in diplomatic, industrial, and urban sectors—all with the goal of gathering insights to inform Gabon’s own long-term development initiatives. Among the stops was the site designated for Gabon’s future ambassadorial residence and staff housing. Upon reviewing the current status of the project, which had stalled,…

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Mali’s emergency health projects see rapid progress in Bamako

West africa Mali’s emergency health projects see rapid progress in Bamako Construction of two new hospitals in Bamako’s Commune III and VI is advancing swiftly, marking a key step in strengthening Mali’s healthcare infrastructure. — 1 min read On August 6, 2026, a high-level government delegation, led by Colonel-major Assa Badiallo Touré, Mali’s Minister of Health and Social Development, inspected the construction sites of the new hospitals in Bamako’s Commune III and Commune VI. These facilities are part of the government’s urgent healthcare initiative, designed to expand access to essential…

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Senegal leads regional talks in Guinea-Bissau transition plan

Dakar takes diplomatic initiative. Following a mandate from West African leaders to resolve the institutional deadlock in its southern neighbor, Senegal dispatched its top officials to Bissau this week. The high-level meeting aims to establish structured dialogue with Guinea-Bissau’s military leadership and outline steps toward restoring civilian governance. The visit marks the first official mission since the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit in Freetown last month. During that regional gathering, Senegal was designated as the lead facilitator for negotiations to ease tensions and support Guinea-Bissau’s return to…

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Benin vision 2060: national education council prioritises stem and vocational training

Benin vision 2060: national education council prioritises stem and vocational training From August 5 to 7, 2026, the National Education Council (CNE) of Benin will convene its third consultative assembly in Cotonou, focusing on strengthening scientific, technological, and vocational education pathways. The three-day gathering brings together government officials, academic leaders, public and private institutions, technical and financial partners, and civil society stakeholders to address priorities for the country’s education system. Driving innovation through education and training The assembly, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Cotonou, serves as a platform…

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Martinez zogo case: explosive exchanges during colonel otoulou’s testimony

The Martinez Zogo case took a dramatic turn as Colonel Otoulou’s testimonies at the Yaoundé military court escalated into a heated confrontation. Behind closed doors, the proceedings revealed sharp disagreements and intense verbal exchanges, keeping observers on edge. Tensions rise during critical testimonies The courtroom atmosphere grew increasingly charged when Colonel Otoulou took the stand, his statements sparking immediate controversy. Legal representatives and court officials found themselves locked in a verbal duel, with each side challenging the other’s credibility and intentions. Key moments included: Direct accusations: One of the lawyers…

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Togo’s media crackdown: targeting newspaper distribution

In Togo, the erosion of press freedom extends beyond NGO reports and regulatory statements. It is now a lived reality on street corners and pavements, where distributing a newspaper has become a perilous act. By extending pressure to street vendors, President Faure Gnassingbé has crossed a disturbing threshold: the systematic and operational suppression of independent voices. The crackdown on vendors For years, control over the Togolese press relied on conventional institutional tactics: summonses, temporary publication suspensions, press card revocations, and defamation threats. While these methods gradually pushed many newsrooms towards…

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Senegal and Gambia renew border talks after Bullock incident

Senegal and Gambia renew border talks after Bullock incident Following a recent incident in Bullock, Senegal and Gambia have reached a “definitive agreement” to clarify their shared border. Both nations plan to resume joint boundary demarcation operations in mid-August, including the installation of physical markers and community awareness campaigns. What sparked the tensions? Will this agreement resolve them permanently, or could lingering disputes persist on the ground? Behind the Bullock incident The recent tensions between Senegal and Gambia trace back to an altercation in Bullock, a border area where communities…

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Ivorian leader urges national unity to build greater Côte d’Ivoire

The Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, has reiterated his commitment to steering Côte d’Ivoire toward accelerated emergence by urging all segments of society to unite in building what he calls the « Greater Côte d’Ivoire ». This rallying cry, issued at the start of a new political cycle, underscores the head of state’s determination to bring together administrative, economic, religious, and community leaders around a shared vision. It comes as Abidjan aims to leverage a decade of sustained growth to achieve a structural leap forward. Uniting the nation’s vital forces The…

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Senegal: thierno alassane sall challenges pastef on aser contract transparency

The contentious matter involving the Senegalese Agency for Rural Electrification (ASER) and the Spanish firm AEE Power has resurfaced at the heart of political discourse in Dakar. Thierno Alassane Sall, president of La République des valeurs and a National Assembly deputy, openly accuses the governing Pastef party of employing a double standard regarding this rural electrification agreement. The contract has become a symbol of the friction between the Senegalese executive and a segment of the political class. The former Minister of Energy explicitly uses the term “duplicity,” a word rarely…

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Chad opens skies to egyptian airlines for boosted connectivity

The Chad and Egypt have taken a significant step in air transport cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding during the 4th Joint Cooperation Commission on July 6. This agreement grants three Egyptian airlines—two passenger carriers and one cargo operator—access to N’Djamena’s airspace. While the specific identities of the passenger airlines remain undisclosed, the move underscores a shared ambition to enhance mobility, trade, and bilateral ties. Revitalising Chad’s aviation sector through strategic partnerships The timing of this accord is crucial as Chad’s aviation landscape undergoes transformation following Air France’s withdrawal…

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Fortescue’s Gabon iron ambitions: seeking more from Libreville

The vast Belinga iron ore deposit, nestled within Gabon’s Ogooué-Ivindo province, remains a significant point of interest for global mining firms. Australian mining powerhouse Fortescue is reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions with the Gabonese government, based in Libreville, concerning its operational scope and the potential for increased involvement in this strategically vital project. As a prominent entity in the international iron industry, Fortescue’s ambitions in Gabon hold the potential to reshape the trajectory of the African economy today. The central question revolves around whether the company can secure more favorable…

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