The Congo’s invisible hand: how intelligence agencies shaped power for generations 20 July 2026 Author: Editorial Team
Read MoreHow Congo’s shadowy intelligence shaped power for decades
Author: Aïcha Abdou
Journalist
Cameroon political party urges reforms amid prolonged presidential absence
Political party calls for constitutional clarity after president’s extended absence The Union for Democracy and Progress (UDC), a prominent political party in Cameroon, has sounded the alarm over the prolonged absence of President Paul Biya from the Palais de l’Unité, raising concerns about institutional continuity and transparency. President Biya, who traveled to Europe on June 7, 2026 for what was officially described as a private visit, has not returned after more than 40 days. While the Civil Cabinet’s announcement provided minimal details, insiders confirm that the president is in Switzerland,…
Read MoreBénin bets big on kanvo and indigo to drive economic growth
In a glittering showcase of heritage meets high fashion, the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hôtel played host to a landmark event on the evening of Saturday, July 18, 2026: the inaugural Night of Kanvo and Indigo. Orchestrated by the Fonds de Développement de l’Artisanat (FDA) under the guidance of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Employment Promotion, this gala transcended mere fashion display to unveil a bold industrialization strategy aimed at propelling Beninese textiles onto the global stage. National ambition takes center stage The evening drew more than just…
Read MoreGabon France a new chapter in bilateral relations
Politics Gabon and France: forging a renewed partnership By Editor-in-Chief 20 July 2026 80 No comment Libreville, 20 July 2026 — The three-day state visit of Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to France marks more than just a diplomatic courtesy. It signals a strategic reset in relations between Libreville and Paris, with economic cooperation, industrial sovereignty, security, and diaspora engagement taking center stage. The significance cannot be overstated. This is the first time President Oligui Nguema has been received in France for a state visit since assuming office, underscoring…
Read MoreDRC president Félix Tshisekedi cancels new york visit amid security concerns
In a surprising turn of events, President Félix Tshisekedi has announced he will not be traveling to New York as previously scheduled. The announcement comes just days before the high-profile United Nations Security Council debate on natural resource governance, which the Congolese leader was expected to chair on July 22. The decision marks a significant shift in plans for Kinshasa, which had been preparing for months to host this pivotal international engagement. The meeting was intended to highlight the DRC’s leadership of the Security Council for July 2026, following a…
Read MoreTogo faces scrutiny over foreign military presence
Unanswered questions on foreign military deployment in Togo In any democracy, matters of national defense are inherently shrouded in confidentiality. Critical operations, intelligence gathering, and strategic alliances cannot be fully disclosed to the public. Yet blanket secrecy, especially when prolonged, often breeds suspicion rather than trust. In Togo, whispers about the presence of foreign military personnel—particularly from Russia and Turkey—have intensified, raising pressing questions that demand clear responses from authorities. The specter of protection amid political unrest While defense cooperation is not inherently problematic, the opacity surrounding these arrangements has…
Read MoreInside look at Ousmane Sonko’s legislative agenda at Senegal’s national assembly
Senegal’s National Assembly is gearing up for a pivotal legislative session, with a series of high-stakes reforms taking center stage. At the heart of this agenda is a clear commitment to transparency, accountability, and rigorous oversight of public governance—a vision championed by Ousmane Sonko and his parliamentary majority. a bold push for transparency in public office One of the most anticipated legislative initiatives is a bill proposing a mandatory asset declaration for outgoing presidents, a move designed to strengthen governance standards. The proposal, which has gained traction within the Justice…
Read MoreSecurity crisis overshadows Burkina Faso’s stability struggles
The Burkina Faso of today bears little resemblance to the nation once praised for its relative stability. While the era of former President Blaise Compaoré was far from flawless—marked by allegations of authoritarian rule and restricted democratic transitions—it was a period when citizens could move freely, farmers worked their land, and families traveled without fear. Terrorism had not yet plunged the country into the violent insecurity that now defines the Sahel. a stark contrast in governance and expectations The criticisms leveled against Compaoré’s government were not baseless. His twenty-seven years…
Read MoreBénin constitution court reviews April presidential vote
Bénin’s constitutional court reviews presidential election process The Constitutional Court of Bénin concluded a five-day evaluation seminar on Friday, 17 July, in Agoué, focusing on the presidential election held on 12 April 2026. Key takeaways from the constitutional review The High Court’s members meticulously examined the entire electoral process to identify strengths, challenges, and areas for enhancement ahead of future votes. The closing ceremony was led by Vice-President Nicolas Assogba, standing in for President Dorothé Sossa, who was absent. Strengthening electoral procedures Vice-President Assogba praised the seminar’s outcomes, emphasizing that…
Read MoreDeadly ambush in Niger’s Tillabéri region claims soldier lives
A detachment of the Forces de Défense et de Sécurité (FDS) endured a significant ambush on Friday, July 17, 2026, within Niger’s Tillabéri region. The Ministry of National Defense in Niger confirmed the extensive scale of this assault, which occurred in the Téra department, an area notoriously known as the “three borders” zone. Tragically, sixteen soldiers lost their lives in the attack, and twenty-three others sustained injuries. Among the wounded, nine required immediate emergency evacuation to the Centre Hospitalier des Armées due to the severity of their condition. This devastating…
Read MoreMankono’s rhdp chapter charts future course for political engagement
The departmental secretariat of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) in Mankono, encompassing both the commune and sub-prefecture, recently convened its significant political relaunch. Held on July 17 and 18, 2026, the event focused on a comprehensive review of the 2025 elections, dedicated training sessions for party members, and a concerted effort to reinvigorate grassroots structures. Cissé Namory, the RHDP departmental secretary, whose political mandate extends across the Mankono commune and sub-prefecture, emphatically reiterated the commitment of activists within the Béré region to fortify the presidential party’s…
Read MoreGabon’s strong diplomatic ties with France under brice oligui nguema
Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema arrives in Paris on Monday, July 20, for a state visit to France. This small Central African oil producer, rich in mineral and other resources, has long maintained a close relationship with France—one that remains unaffected by shifting dynamics in Paris’s cooperation strategies with other African nations. a unique partnership in african diplomacy Bergès Mietté, a political science lecturer at the International University of Libreville, examines Gabon’s exceptional position in France’s African policy. Unlike many countries that have recalibrated their ties with former colonial…
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