Author: Aïcha Abdou

Patrice Talon elected leader of Benin’s historic first senate Just four months after stepping down as President of Benin, Patrice Talon has been elected to lead the country’s newly established Senate—the first of its kind in the nation’s history. This groundbreaking institution was created through the 2025 constitutional reform aimed at strengthening Benin’s political framework. Patrice Talon secures overwhelming support in Senate election In a decisive vote held on August 6, Patrice Talon was elected Senate President with 24 out of 25 votes, with only one blank ballot cast. The…

The partnership between Dakar and the World Bank has reached a new milestone. During a meeting on August 5 with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Ousmane Diagana, Vice President of the institution for West and Central Africa, unveiled a 340 billion CFA francs package—equivalent to approximately $598.4 million—earmarked to bolster Senegal’s key economic sectors. This move underscores the World Bank’s renewed confidence in the reforms spearheaded by the country’s new leadership. Funding to fast-track national priorities This financial injection targets critical projects across agriculture, transportation, and resilience programs tailored for youth…

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, senators in Benin convened in Porto-Novo to elect the inaugural leadership of the upper house of Parliament. Patrice Talon has been chosen to lead the Senate as its president, with Louis Vlavonou, Alassane Séidou, and Adidjatou Mathys selected to support key governance roles. The establishment of this first Bureau represents a landmark moment for the Senate, which will now be fully operational under the Constitution. The chamber is responsible for overseeing legislative activities, ensuring institutional efficiency, and upholding parliamentary procedures. Patrice Talon will preside over…

The cholera outbreak sweeping across Chad has claimed 13 lives since July, according to the latest figures released by health authorities. The disease has so far infected 239 people in the landlocked nation of Central Africa, home to approximately 21 million inhabitants. N’Djamena, the country’s capital, and the Hadjer Lamis province in the north are the two regions most severely affected by the outbreak. Health officials declared the epidemic on July 24, following the first confirmed deaths on June 13. Since then, efforts have been intensified to curb the spread…

Ryanair expands winter routes in Morocco with 17 new flights, Rabat secures seven August 6, 2026 – 4:00 PM – Morocco This winter, Ryanair is set to launch its largest-ever flight program in Morocco, introducing 17 new routes, seven of which will originate from Rabat, totaling 5.3 million available seats. Come winter 2026, Ryanair will operate 156 routes connecting the Kingdom to 14 European destinations. Rabat stands out as the biggest winner of the announced openings, followed by Marrakech and Agadir, each gaining five new connections. The specific European cities…

Niamey is witnessing a historic crackdown on financial mismanagement as the COLDEFF, Niger’s elite anti-corruption body, delivers a staggering recovery of over 74 billion CFA francs. This milestone, revealed during a high-profile ceremony at the presidential palace, marks a decisive turn in the fight against embezzlement and fraud. The figures speak volumes: 74 billion CFA francs have been reintegrated into the national treasury, with an impressive 12 billion added just in the past year. This surge reflects not only the COLDEFF’s relentless pursuit of financial offenders but also the growing…

The President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara Côte d’Ivoire at 66: Ouattara faces pressing economic and social demands As Côte d’Ivoire marks its 66th year of independence on August 7, 2026, the nation turns its gaze toward the nation’s capital, Abidjan, where President Alassane Ouattara is set to deliver a pivotal address. This speech comes at a time when the country grapples with a mix of economic progress, social challenges, and security concerns, all while the Ivorian people demand tangible improvements in their daily lives. Economic pressures…