Author: Aïcha Abdou

Journalist

When will OL face AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1 after Champions League qualifiers?

Aïcha Abdou

The upcoming clash between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and AJ Auxerre remains the only fixture still awaiting confirmation. The French Football League (LFP) has clarified that the match date will hinge on OL’s performance in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Two possible dates depending on Lyon’s Champions League fate If Olympique Lyonnais secures a place in the Champions League play-offs, the Ligue 1 showdown against Auxerre will take place on Friday, September 4 at 7:00 PM local time. In the event of elimination from the Champions League qualifiers, the…

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Chad withdraws from the international criminal court amid mounting criticisms

Aïcha Abdou

Africa Chad withdraws from the international criminal court amid mounting criticisms N’Djamena cites the court’s uneven effectiveness and limited impact following renewed scrutiny from the United States. in N’Djamena Article The government of Chad has officially announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing longstanding concerns over the court’s uneven effectiveness and limited jurisdiction. This decision was formalized in a government statement released on Monday. «This withdrawal reflects a thorough review of the ICC’s operations since its establishment in 2002,» the statement explained. «Its effectiveness remains limited and…

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Food systems project to revive Benin’s maize and rice sectors

Aïcha Abdou

The Beninese government, backed by global partners, has launched an ambitious initiative to revitalize the nation’s agricultural sector. The Food Systems project, with a budget exceeding $20 million, aims to restore degraded lands and transform maize and rice value chains by 2030, ensuring long-term food security. Land degradation: a silent crisis threatening Benin’s economy Agriculture is the backbone of Benin’s economy, accounting for 70% of employment, 26% of GDP, and 80% of export earnings. Yet this vital sector faces a growing crisis: soil degradation. Speaking at the project’s launch in…

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Senegal’s president Diomaye Faye unveils new political party

Aïcha Abdou

In a decisive move reshaping Senegal’s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has formally launched his new political party, marking a clear break from his former alliance with the Pastef – Les Patriotes movement led by his once-close ally and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Dubbed Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, the freshly established party derives its name from the Wolof term “kiiraay,” which translates to “protection.” Faye has made it abundantly clear that safeguarding the nation’s interests will be the cornerstone of all his future endeavors, both in governance…

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Togo protesters challenge 2024 constitutional reforms

Aïcha Abdou

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Vogan, southern Togo, on Sunday to voice their opposition to the controversial 2024 constitutional amendments. Critics argue the reforms are designed to extend President Faure Gnassingbé’s 20-year grip on power, sparking fresh tensions in a country where public dissent has been rare in recent years. The protest, orchestrated by the National Framework for Change in Togo (CNCC)—a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups—marked the second major rally in three months. The first gathering, held in early May, set the stage…

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Senegal political funds scandal: sonko’s alleged request for extra budget exposed

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal’s Political Funds Controversy: Sonko’s Alleged Budget Extension Request The Senegalese political landscape remains embroiled in a heated exchange following revelations about alleged financial mismanagement during Ousmane Sonko’s tenure as Prime Minister. Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf has shed light on a contentious claim: Sonko reportedly requested an additional 1.77 billion CFA francs in political funds after depleting the initial allocation. The ongoing feud between the Pastef party and the Kiiraay movement shows no signs of abating. Without an impartial referee to call a halt to the exchanges, both factions continue to…

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Niger drone strike kills civilians during funeral in Tillabéri

Aïcha Abdou

When grief turned to horror: a funeral ceremony struck by military drones in Niger What was meant to be a moment of mourning and unity in the village of Chinagodrar, in northern Tillabéri, ended in a bloodbath on July 24. Two drone strikes, reportedly carried out by Nigerien military forces, tore through a funeral gathering, leaving at least seven dead and numerous wounded. The attack shattered an already fragile community, where fear and insecurity have taken root. A region trapped between war and peace The Tillabéri region, bordering Mali and…

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Senegal Algeria expand energy ties with new hydrocarbon partnership

Aïcha Abdou

The energy partnership between Senegal and Algeria has reached a new milestone. Officials from both governments convened in Algiers to formalize a strategic alliance in the hydrocarbons sector. The meeting brought together Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs with Algerian counterparts handling energy and diplomacy, signaling a shared commitment to building a structured industrial partnership between Dakar and Algiers—two nations now firmly positioned on Africa’s hydrocarbon production map. This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for Senegal’s economy. Since early 2024, the country has been extracting oil from…

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Senegal politics: three ministers quit pastef to join diomaye’s camp

Aïcha Abdou

Yankhoba Diémé: « The Pastef is now a hollow shell » Three senior government ministers—including Yankhoba Diémé—have abandoned the Pastef party, declaring it a political void and publicly pledging allegiance to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This dramatic shift reshapes the political landscape of Senegal. Ministers Ibrahima Sy, Yankhoba Diémé, and Alioune Dione—once key figures in Ousmane Sonko’s opposition movement—have made a decisive break. Their departure marks a pivotal moment in Senegal’s political evolution. After years opposing the previous administration and rallying behind Sonko’s reformist agenda, they now prioritize national unity…

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Ibrahim Traoré challenges taboos: arab slave trade and radical islam in the Sahel

Aïcha Abdou

Ibrahim Traoré challenges taboos: arab slave trade and radical islam in the Sahel Ouagadougou — The Burkinabè transitional leader has ignited a fierce debate by openly linking the Arab slave trade to contemporary jihadist violence in the Sahel. His words, delivered before local leaders, expose historical blind spots that both Western historiography and Gulf powers prefer to ignore. The millennia-old silence that weighs on Africa Some truths burden Africa like invisible shackles. The Burkinabè captain just exposed one of them in Ouagadougou. While predecessors—both civilian and military—had carefully avoided the…

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Senegal’s president launches new party amid political split

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal’s president launches new party amid political split In a historic move in Dakar, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially inaugurated his new political party, Kiiraay, marking a definitive break with his former ally and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The launch ceremony, attended by hundreds of supporters, signals a new chapter in the country’s political landscape. Kiiraay: A party built on republican values Hundreds gathered in Dakar to witness the birth of Kiiraay, a name derived from the Wolof language meaning ‘protection’ or ‘shield’. Positioned as the party of ‘Republican…

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How Boko Haram leverages AI for military operations in Nigeria

Aïcha Abdou

Research reveals systematic use of artificial intelligence by Boko Haram in Nigeria An in-depth study by Antonia Juelich, a British researcher, has uncovered a disturbing trend: Boko Haram, the militant group active in northern Nigeria for over two decades, is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence into its military decision-making processes. Known for its brutal campaigns and widespread war crimes, the organisation’s adoption of AI marks a shift in its operational strategy. The findings highlight how terrorist factions are no longer restricted to traditional combat methods. Instead, they are embracing cutting-edge technology…

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