Author: Aïcha Abdou

International Lecornu’s maiden diplomatic journey: strengthening ties with Qatar and Morocco Sébastien Lecornu embarks on his first international visit as Prime Minister, prioritizing strategic engagements in Doha and Rabat to reinforce French alliances in the Gulf and Maghreb. Why this trip matters for French diplomacy When a new Prime Minister takes office, the inaugural overseas visits often set the tone for their administration. These trips signal which nations and issues Paris prioritizes, shaping perceptions of France’s diplomatic direction. Sébastien Lecornu’s itinerary—Qatar followed by Morocco—sends a clear message. Both are longstanding…

World • Senegal LGBTQ+ lives in Senegal: fear, flight, and the harsh new reality after the law change Rejection, suffocating atmosphere, and the constant fear of arrest—since the penalties for homosexuality were doubled in March, distress calls from LGBTQ+ individuals desperate to leave Senegal have surged. Activist groups have joined forces to respond. Cherif* arrived in France in early June with one absolute certainty: he could no longer remain in Senegal. ‘I was going to be arrested,’ he admits. For weeks after a man he was close to was detained,…

Le Tchad accueille le Forum africain de l'eau Le Tchad a accueilli le Forum africain de l'eau, organisé conjointement par le gouvernement tchadien et le Groupe de la Banque mondiale dans le cadre de l'initiative Water Forward. Ce rendez-vous réunit des chefs d’État, des ministres et des dirigeants du secteur privé autour des enjeux de sécurité hydrique et de résilience climatique. Plus de 400 millions de personnes sans accès à l'eau L'événement intervient alors que la Banque mondiale alerte sur l'urgence de la situation en Afrique. Plus de 400 millions…

A striking paradox undermines Gabon’s labor market, as revealed by the National Human Development Report (RNDH 2026): one in three active young people faces unemployment, even as numerous sectors struggle to find the skilled workforce they desperately need. This challenging situation, detailed in the report, stems from three core deficiencies: an educational system disconnected from economic demands, an economy insufficiently diversified, and employment policies that have yet to yield lasting results. While Gabon produces a steady stream of graduates, businesses are actively searching for skilled technicians. Young individuals seek employment…

France and Morocco are set to deepen their strategic partnership this week as French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu arrives in Rabat for critical discussions with Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch. This two-day official visit, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, bringing together French ministers from key portfolios including Foreign Affairs and Interior. The meeting represents the first high-level government-to-government exchange since 2019, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening ties between Paris and Rabat. The timing of this visit is particularly noteworthy following France’s recent…

Senegal highlights transformative decade in sustainable development journey The face of rural Senegal has changed dramatically over the past ten years. Where just one in three households had access to electricity in 2016, today that figure stands at seven in ten. This remarkable transformation was among the key achievements presented by Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, during the country’s third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York on July 13, 2026. Held under the theme of…