Benin unveils $14.5 billion plan to build climate-resilient economy by 2035

The government of Benin has announced plans to mobilize $14.5 billion (approximately 8,004.38 billion XOF) to bolster the resilience of its economy against climate risks while accelerating the transition to sustainable development. This initiative is outlined in the third National Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), covering the 2026–2035 period. It was unveiled during a high-level meeting in Cotonou on August 4, attended by government officials, technical and financial partners, representatives of the United Nations system, and key stakeholders in green and inclusive growth. More than just an environmental commitment, NDC 3.0…

Read More

Congo bans tiktok to curb rebel propaganda amid rising tensions

The head of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Higher Council for Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC), Christian Bosembe, has declared that TikTok will be blocked immediately to halt the spread of propaganda linked to the armed group AFC-M23. Negotiations with the platform’s leadership are already underway to enforce this decision. Bosembe condemned the presence of Cornelius Nangaa, an alleged terrorist, on a major social network, arguing that such platforms should not provide a voice to individuals accused of destabilizing the nation. He stressed that TikTok’s failure to act enables content…

Read More

Congo-Kinshasa diplomats push for genocide recognition in France

French lawmakers of Congolese descent are set to launch a major diplomatic offensive to secure France’s official recognition of the GENOCOST—a term referring to the mass atrocities committed in Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1996—during the upcoming parliamentary session. This initiative, unveiled following a meeting with President Félix Tshisekedi at the African Union headquarters in Kinshasa, aims to elevate the issue from humanitarian concern to a matter of national and international policy. The Collectif des élus français originaires du Congo-Kinshasa (CEFOCK) plans to deploy a multipronged strategy: memorial campaigns,…

Read More

Cameroon president signs major army reshuffle amid extended absence

Major shifts in Cameroon’s military leadership as president signs decrees from abroad Cameroon’s military landscape has undergone significant changes following a series of presidential decrees signed by President Paul Biya, currently abroad for nearly two months. The new appointments include promotions, command reshuffles, and strategic realignments within the armed forces, reflecting both operational and political priorities. Five senior officers have been elevated to the rank of brigadier general, while a new Major General has been named to oversee the army’s general staff. Multiple territorial and strategic command positions have also…

Read More

Benin and Nigeria strengthen joint security efforts against rising terrorism

Enhanced military cooperation as terrorism spreads across West Africa In response to the escalating threat posed by armed groups across West Africa, Benin and Nigeria are deepening their collaborative security framework. A high-level military delegation led by Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, met with his Beninese counterpart, Gildas Agonkan, in Cotonou on August 4, 2026. This high-stakes gathering signals a pivotal shift toward a more robust and coordinated regional defence strategy. A symbolic visit underscoring shared urgency The visit was not merely ceremonial—it underscored the gravity of the…

Read More

World bank’s ousmane diagana strengthens Senegal partnership in Dakar

As Senegal accelerates its economic transformation agenda, the World Bank’s Vice President for West and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, arrives in Dakar for an official visit running from August 4 to 8, 2026. This high-level mission underscores the institution’s commitment to deepening its strategic collaboration with Senegal, aligning with the country’s bold development priorities.

Read More

European leaders urge caution in criticizing Morocco over ceuta migration surge

European leaders urge caution in criticizing Morocco over Ceuta migration surge The Spanish government has privately urged European allies to refrain from openly criticizing Morocco following the unprecedented surge of over 72,000 migrants into Ceuta from neighboring Morocco in a matter of days. Madrid’s request came during an emergency online meeting of EU Interior Ministers, where several questioned how such a large-scale border crossing could occur without at least a loosening of Morocco’s typically stringent border controls. The Spanish delegation emphasized the need to preserve the strategic partnership with Rabat,…

Read More

Gabon’s growing public debt: a critical trajectory towards 94.3% of GDP by 2027

Gabon’s public debt continues its upward trend, with projections indicating it will reach a staggering 94.3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027. This trajectory, initiated during the transitional presidency and affirmed under Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s tenure, pushes the nation to a critical threshold, significantly exceeding the 70% GDP convergence criteria set by the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) in Libreville. Mounting debt trajectory alarms financial partners The accelerating pace of Gabon’s debt accumulation stands in stark contrast to the fiscal discipline commitments made to…

Read More

Gabon’s president in Abidjan to strengthen economic ties with Côte d’Ivoire

Gabon’s president in Abidjan to strengthen economic ties with Côte d’Ivoire 81 Libreville, August 5, 2026 — The arrival of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Abidjan marks a pivotal moment in Gabonese diplomacy. Following visits to Ghana, Gambia, and Sierra Leone, the Gabonese president’s stop in Côte d’Ivoire carries special significance. Invited as the guest of honor by President Alassane Ouattara for Côte d’Ivoire’s 66th Independence Day celebrations, Oligui Nguema is not merely reinforcing bilateral ties. He is positioning Gabon within a broader continental strategy where political alliances must translate…

Read More

West African bloc enforces unified stance against Sahel alliance

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has adopted a firmer diplomatic stance toward the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). During the ordinary summit held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, regional leaders established a decisive principle: no member state will be allowed to pursue separate negotiations with Mali, Burkina Faso, or Niger on critical issues. This move aims to safeguard the cohesion of a West African bloc already strained since the three Sahelian nations officially withdrew in January 2025. The decision to centralize discussions reflects growing concerns in Abuja. Since…

Read More

Senegal struggles to draw foreign investors despite economic promise

Once a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting an average of three billion dollars annually over the past four years, Senegal saw a dramatic drop to just 37 million dollars in 2025, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This sharp decline raises critical questions: Is this the end of a golden investment cycle, or are investors hesitating due to concerns about the government’s financial policies and broader economic outlook? Understanding the sudden downturn The collapse in FDI is largely cyclical. Major oil and gas…

Read More

Pastef and kiiraay rivalry: malick gackou urges party unity

Pastef and Kiiraay rivalry: Malick Gackou urges party unity In the face of growing defections to Kiiraay, the Patriotic Republicans—a new political platform aligned with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye—former minister Malick Gackou has issued a firm call for Pastef members to uphold unity and collective discipline to safeguard the movement’s sovereign ideals. The stakes behind the call for unity As several Pastef officials and activists announce their departure for Kiiraay, Malick Gackou, leader of the movement, has urged members to remain steadfast and cohesive. His message comes at a critical…

Read More