Author: Ousmane Tandja

Journalist

Cameroon’s presidential enigma: Paul Biya’s absence fuels national and regional concerns

Ousmane Tandja

The protracted discretion of Paul Biya, Cameroon’s head of state since 1982, continues to dominate the political discourse in Yaoundé. The persistent silence from the Étoudi Palace regarding the president’s activities, coupled with a noticeable reduction in his public appearances, fosters a climate of uncertainty that now extends beyond political circles. Across social media, in newsrooms, and within diplomatic missions, a persistent question echoes: where is the president, and in what capacity is he currently governing? A nonagenarian leader amidst persistent opacity At 91 years old, Paul Biya has accumulated…

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Malians now required to apply for US visas from Dakar

Ousmane Tandja

Securing an American visa from Bamako is no longer straightforward. Consular authorities in the United States have shifted the processing of Malian visa applications to Dakar, making Senegal’s capital the mandatory destination for all Malian travelers seeking entry into the US. This adjustment follows months of escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Mali’s ruling junta, reshaping consular flows across West Africa. The regional impact of consular relocation Malians must now travel to Dakar for both interviews and biometric data collection. The US consulate in Senegal is absorbing an increased workload,…

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Cameroon’s international bond ambitions face scrutiny amid presidential absence

Ousmane Tandja

  Cameroon is currently preparing one of its most significant external financing operations since its Eurobond issuance in January 2026. According to the monthly public debt report for June 2026, published by the Caisse Autonome d’Amortissement (CAA), the state intends to raise $690 million, equivalent to nearly 400 billion FCFA, through an ESG-component loan targeting international investors. This crucial operation, however, unfolds within a political landscape that could influence market perceptions, notably marked by the prolonged absence of President Paul Biya – a factor global investors traditionally integrate into their…

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Lucas Herrington poised to shatter australian transfer record with premier league move

Ousmane Tandja

Socceroos sensation Lucas Herrington, a standout performer at the 2026 World Cup, stands on the cusp of a monumental career milestone. The 18-year-old central defender, currently honing his skills with the Colorado Rapids in MLS, is reportedly nearing a transfer to newly promoted Premier League side Hull City. This move is anticipated to establish him as the most expensive Australian footballer in history. Negotiations are actively underway between the Colorado Rapids and Hull City, with figures circulating between A$35 million and A$38 million. Should this deal materialize, it would significantly…

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Cameroun first funding for Douala-Bangui road corridor project

Ousmane Tandja

The Douala-Bangui economic corridor is set to receive its first wave of financing, with the World Bank approving a $425 million package to revitalize the 800 km stretch connecting Douala, Cameroon, to Bangui, Central African Republic. Construction is scheduled to begin next year, marking a significant step toward modernizing trade infrastructure in the region. Modernizing trade routes with smarter logistics The project aims to streamline operations and cut transit times for goods moving between Cameroon and its neighbors. Donnat Takueté, Director General of Studies at Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Works,…

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Niger sees surge in displacement after violent attacks in southwest

Ousmane Tandja

Hundreds of residents have fled their homes in Niger’s southwestern region following a series of mid-July attacks on villages near the border with Nigeria and Benin. The unprecedented displacement has disrupted ongoing farming activities in the Dosso region, where militants targeted multiple communities on July 17, leaving dozens of civilians dead and injured. Escalating violence disrupts rural communities Local authorities report that the attacks struck at least three villages in the Loga district, a key agricultural area. The assaults, described by officials as terrorist strikes, occurred during a critical phase…

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Niger faces mounting security crisis as attacks escalate

Ousmane Tandja

Deadly assaults expose fragility of Niger’s defense amid escalating violence The final day of July 2026 marked another tragic chapter in Niger’s worsening security crisis. At least 38 members of the Forces de défense et de sécurité (FDS) were killed in two coordinated assaults attributed to the Islamic State in the Sahel (EI-S). In N’Guigmi, situated in the Diffa region, 17 soldiers from the National Guard and Nigerien Armed Forces perished in the initial strike. Hours later, 21 more military personnel lost their lives at their outpost in Dankassari, Dosso…

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Randal Kolo Muani joins Juventus from PSG in €38 million deal

Ousmane Tandja

The Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) has officially announced the transfer of striker Randal Kolo Muani to Italian giants Juventus, marking a significant shift in the French club’s offensive strategy. The deal is valued at €38 million, with potential additional bonuses worth up to €12 million, bringing the total to €50 million. Kolo Muani, a 27-year-old French international, joined PSG in August 2023 from Eintracht Frankfurt in a move that set a record for the most expensive signing of a French player in the club’s history, costing over €90 million. However, his time…

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Gabonese minister paul kessany implements president oligui nguema’s decentralization vision

Ousmane Tandja

Ecouter l’article In a significant move towards enhanced local governance, Paul Kessany, Gabon’s Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Radiance, and Arts, formalized a framework agreement for the transfer of competencies with the Libreville Commune on Thursday, July 30, 2026. This action marks a pivotal step in realizing the decentralization policy championed by the President of the Republic, Head of State, and Head of Government, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The ambitious reform aims to bring public policies closer to citizens by granting greater responsibilities to local authorities across Gabon. The decentralization…

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Maroc dedicates longest african highway to donald trump in western Sahara

Ousmane Tandja

Morocco names longest African highway after Donald Trump in Western Sahara A 1,055-kilometer expressway connecting southern Morocco to the disputed Western Sahara region now bears the name of the former US president. In a gesture of gratitude, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has officially designated the Tiznit-Dakhla highway as the Donald J. Trump Highway, a move announced through a letter from the monarch to the former US president. The decision was made public on August 1, following the monarch’s communication dated July 2. In his letter, King Mohammed VI expressed his…

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Morocco honors Trump with highway name after US recognition of Western Sahara

Ousmane Tandja

In a gesture that mirrors his own branding style, Morocco has paid tribute to former US President Donald Trump by naming a major highway after him. The decision, announced by the official Moroccan news agency MAP, reflects the deep appreciation of King Mohammed VI for Trump’s pivotal role in recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020. The newly christened “Donald J. Trump Highway” spans an impressive 1,055 kilometers, making it the longest road infrastructure in Africa. This monumental project connects the southern city of Tiznit to Dakhla, a key…

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Cameroon: president paul biya’s extended absence fuels public debate

Ousmane Tandja

Cameroon: president paul biya’s extended absence fuels public debate For two months, President Paul Biya of Cameroon has been absent from the nation, a situation that remains unprecedented, especially coming just eight months after his inauguration for an eighth consecutive term. This prolonged period away has sparked considerable discussion across the country, highlighting concerns within Cameroonian society and among observers of African politics. While unusual, this extended absence is not deemed illegal, according to Benoit Ndong Soumeth, a minister with a mission at the Presidency. He asserted, "A population may,…

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