Author: Aïcha Abdou

Journalist

Burkina Faso’s cotton exports: India as the new buyer for raw fibre

Aïcha Abdou

The transitional authorities in Burkina Faso are turning their gaze toward India, seeking fresh trading partners to unload the nation’s prized ‘white gold.’ While Ouagadougou frames this commercial outreach as a diplomatic triumph, the move underscores a deeper, unresolved challenge: the country’s persistent inability to break free from its role as a mere exporter of unprocessed raw materials. By pursuing trade ties with New Delhi, Burkina Faso aims to reduce its heavy reliance on China, currently the dominant importer of its cotton fibre. Yet, this strategic pivot does little to…

Read More

Cameroon’s president: is the power truly vacant?

Aïcha Abdou

Politics Cameroon’s president: is the power truly vacant? In his weekly political editorial broadcast this Monday, July 21, 2026, on Radio Tiémeni Siantou (90.5 FM in Yaoundé and Bafang), journalist Eric Boniface Tchouakeu questions the prolonged private stay of Cameroon’s Head of State abroad. Armand Djaleu |July 21, 2026|3 minutes read AAA Follow Cameroon News on Google Summarize Listen Comment Advertisement In his weekly political editorial this Monday, July 21, 2026, broadcast on Radio Tiémeni Siantou (90.5 FM in Yaoundé and Bafang), journalist Eric Boniface Tchouakeu examines the implications of…

Read More

Cameroon politics: is the presidency vacant?

Aïcha Abdou

Politics Cameroon politics: is the presidency vacant? In his Monday political editorial, broadcast on Radio Tiémeni Siantou’s frequencies, commentator Eric Boniface Tchouakeu examines the implications of President Paul Biya’s prolonged private visit to Europe. Armand Djaleu |July 21, 2026|3 minutes read AAA Follow Cameroon news on Google Summarize Listen Comment In his Monday political editorial, broadcast on Radio Tiémeni Siantou (90.5 FM in Yaoundé and Bafang), commentator Eric Boniface Tchouakeu questions the implications of President Paul Biya’s extended private stay in Europe. President Paul Biya left Cameroon on June 7,…

Read More

Is Cameroon’s leadership vacant amid presidential absence?

Aïcha Abdou

Politics Is Cameroon’s leadership vacant amid presidential absence? In a recent political editorial broadcast on Radio Tiémeni Siantou (90.5 FM in Yaoundé and Bafang), commentator Eric Boniface Tchouakeu examines the implications of President Paul Biya’s prolonged private stay in Europe. Armand Djaleu |July 21, 2026|3 min read AAA Follow Cameroon updates on Google Summarize Listen Comment Advertisement President Paul Biya’s prolonged absence raises questions about Cameroon’s leadership The Head of State has been in Europe since June 7, 2026, initially described as a short private stay by his cabinet director,…

Read More

DRC national dialogue: AETA urges unity over partisan politics

Aïcha Abdou

DRC national dialogue: AETA urges unity over partisan politics Kinshasa, July 20, 2026 – The Alliance for an Emerging Democratic Transition (AETA) has issued an urgent call to political and social actors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to prioritize national unity over narrow partisan interests, as the country prepares for critical national dialogue. Uniting for the nation’s future The AETA platform, composed of prominent civil society organizations and political figures, emphasized that the current political climate demands a collective commitment to the country’s stability and progress. In a…

Read More

Morocco’s king reviews 2025 economic outlook with central bank governor

Aïcha Abdou

Morocco’s economy grows 4.9% in 2025 despite global challenges The annual report from Bank Al-Maghrib highlights Morocco’s resilient economic performance in 2025, with 4.9% GDP growth and controlled inflation despite global uncertainties. King Mohammed VI of Morocco received Governor Abdellatif Jouahri of Bank Al-Maghrib at the Royal Palace in Tetouan to review the central bank’s annual report on the national economy. During the meeting, Governor Jouahri presented the 2025 annual economic, monetary, and financial report, highlighting Morocco’s robust economic performance despite global challenges. Robust GDP growth and controlled inflation Morocco’s…

Read More

Senegal reverses stance to back macky sall’s un bid

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal shifts position to endorse former president Macky Sall’s UN candidacy Senegal has officially endorsed the candidacy of former president Macky Sall for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. The announcement, made on July 20, marks a surprising reversal of Dakar’s earlier position, which had withheld support just days prior. The shift follows a closed-door meeting between Macky Sall and current president Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar. While outgoing leaders often receive their country’s backing for top international roles, Macky Sall’s bid was instead submitted by Burundi—which currently holds the…

Read More

Morocco and Mauritania boost security ties to tackle Sahel threats

Aïcha Abdou

Morocco and Mauritania strengthen security partnership against Sahel challenges Deeper coordination between Morocco and Mauritania aims to secure the Maghreb’s southern borders and reinforce joint efforts in counterterrorism and organized crime prevention. The Morocco-Mauritania security partnership is evolving into one of the Maghreb’s most critical bilateral alliances. Both nations are stepping up border control, migration management, and counterterrorism efforts as instability spreads across the Sahel region. During high-level talks in Rabat, Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and Mauritania’s Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine agreed to deepen inter-ministerial cooperation…

Read More

Morocco and Mauritania bolster security ties amid Sahel instability

Aïcha Abdou

Morocco and Mauritania strengthen security cooperation to tackle Sahel challenges Enhanced collaboration between Morocco and Mauritania aims to secure southern borders and reinforce regional security leadership. Morocco and Mauritania are deepening what has become one of the most critical security partnerships in Northwest Africa. Both nations are intensifying their coordination on border control, migration management, organized crime prevention, and counterterrorism as instability spreads across the Sahel. During recent meetings in Rabat, Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and Mauritania’s Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine agreed to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation…

Read More

Russian mercenaries in Mali: why their losses remain low

Aïcha Abdou

In the ongoing conflict in Mali, a striking disparity has emerged between the casualties suffered by the Malian Armed Forces and those incurred by the Russian paramilitary group Africa Corps. Despite facing similar threats from jihadist factions, the reported losses among Russian fighters remain disproportionately low compared to their Malian counterparts. Understanding the discrepancy Analysts point to several key factors that may explain this imbalance. First and foremost is the matter of troop numbers. While Mali’s military boasts over 13,000 active personnel, the Africa Corps contingent is estimated to consist…

Read More

C64 postpones july 22 march and sets august deadline for government dialogue

Aïcha Abdou

The Coalition Article 64 (C64) has officially announced the postponement of its planned peaceful march scheduled for July 22 in Kinshasa. In a press statement released on Monday, July 20, the coalition cited recent developments as the reason for the delay. Dialogue awaited: a strategic pause The decision follows a joint appeal from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the ECC-CENCO, urging the opposition coalition to embrace dialogue. The religious leaders, represented by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo and Reverend André Bokundoa, called for a constructive approach to address the…

Read More

Kenya faces major cyberattack on presidential website amid growing digital threats

Aïcha Abdou

Kenya’s digital landscape faced a severe disruption on Saturday, July 18, 2026, when the official presidential website, president.go.ke, was subjected to a coordinated cyberattack. While government officials initially labeled the incident a mere technical glitch, deeper investigations revealed a sophisticated defacement attack followed by a ransom demand in cryptocurrency—a tactic increasingly common in global cybercrime trends. Defacement and extortion: a direct challenge to state authority The attack unfolded around 2 p.m., replacing the site’s usual content—featuring speeches and official statements by President William Ruto—with derogatory messages directed at the head…

Read More