Author: Ousmane Tandja

Journalist

Gabon harnesses space technology to bridge digital divide

Ousmane Tandja

On Monday, July 27, Libreville became the epicenter of discussions shaping Gabon’s telecommunications future. With geographical barriers and technological hurdles posing significant challenges, the government is banking on satellite technology to propel its economic development. A high-level seminar, inaugurated on that day under the leadership of Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization and Innovation Mark-Alexander Doumba, brought together top digital and defense officials to chart a course for the country’s spatial future. Among the attendees were Aboubakar Mambimba Ndjoungui, Director-General of the Gabonese Space Agency (Ageos), and Alberto Wenceslas Mounguengui Moudoki,…

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Senegal politics: Diémé fires back at Sonko’s victimization claims

Ousmane Tandja

Featured Politics Senegal politics: Diémé fires back at Sonko’s victimization claims 28/07/2026 In a candid interview, Government Minister Yankhoba Diémé addressed the escalating tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Diémé dismissed Sonko’s strategy as a deliberate ‘manufactured victimhood’ designed to manipulate public perception and divert attention from pressing national issues. He argued that Sonko’s repeated claims of persecution were nothing more than a calculated attempt to cast himself as the victim while portraying President Faye as the antagonist. “This pattern of self-centered behavior and…

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Niger’s diplomatic shift: symbolism vs. security reality

Ousmane Tandja

The administration led by General Abdourahamane Tiani has positioned the abandonment of Western partnerships and the cultivation of new alliances—particularly with Russia—as central pillars of its governance strategy. This diplomatic reorientation, framed as a reclaiming of national sovereignty, now underpins the official narrative of the transitional government. Yet beneath the outward display of resolve on the international stage, a critical question persists: does this symbolic diplomacy genuinely enhance the security of Niger’s citizens? Sovereignty as a political project The decisions taken by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the…

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Burkina Faso’s territorial control claims: reality vs official narrative

Ousmane Tandja

Burkina Faso’s transitional government has proudly declared that it now controls approximately 75% of the national territory—a claim backed by an official report showing 74.53%. Yet, when examined against independent assessments, humanitarian reports, and the lived experiences of citizens, this bold assertion reveals itself as more of a strategic PR maneuver than a reflection of actual military or administrative dominance. Redefining ‘control’: a blurred line between presence and authority The government’s inflated figure hinges on an unusually broad interpretation of what constitutes ‘control’. Under this framework, a military detachment passing…

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Bénin’s first ever senate: Talon and Boni Yayi share historic moment

Ousmane Tandja

Bénin’s Senate inauguration marks a new era in democracy The political landscape of Bénin is about to witness a defining chapter in its history. For the first time, the country’s Senate convened in Cotonou’s Sofitel Hotel on Friday, July 24, gathering 23 of its 25 members behind closed doors for two hours. The primary focus? Finalizing protocols and logistical arrangements ahead of the historic swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday, July 30 at Porto-Novo’s Palais des Gouverneurs. Breaking from tradition: a Senate that governs itself The session, led by former Bar…

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PND 2026-2030 : le développement de la Côte d’Ivoire n’est pas le fruit du hasard

Ousmane Tandja

Économie Publiée le mardi 28 juillet 2026 | Ministères PND 2026-2030 : le développement de la Côte d’Ivoire n’est pas le fruit du hasard Autres vidéos Ministères – 28 juillet 2026 Les Rendez-Vous du Gouvernement : Intervention du ministre du Plan et du Développement, Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA RTI 1 – 26 février 2026 Souleymane Diarrassouba dévoile le Programme National de Développement 2026-2030 Plus de vidéos By Ousmane Tandja — Senior correspondent

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Burkina Faso grapples with sovereignty ambitions amid deepening insecurity

Ousmane Tandja

The line separating political posturing from ground reality in Burkina Faso grows thinner by the day. A case in point is the military junta’s recent decree establishing a “memory attire” for national commemorations tied to decolonization milestones. Marketed as a triumphant assertion of regained sovereignty and national pride, the move is part of a broader campaign to revive cultural identity markers. Yet it also reignites a pressing question: in the face of an unprecedented security crisis, what should a state prioritize? the sovereignist gamble It would be shortsighted to dismiss…

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Africa’s critical minerals dilemma and the push for economic independence

Ousmane Tandja

The African continent holds a commanding share of the world’s critical mineral reserves—resources now vital for the global shift to renewable energy and digital advancement. A landmark conference held on July 27, 2026, titled “Africa at the Crossroads: Navigating Global Geopolitical Competition in the Era of Critical Minerals”, brought together policymakers, extractive industry analysts, and civil society leaders to assess a strategic shift reshaping the continent’s economic and security landscape. Global power plays reshape Africa’s mineral economy The surge in demand for cobalt, lithium, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements—driven…

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Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye fuels patriotic surge with new party launch

Ousmane Tandja

Mehdi Ba PASTEF Ousmane Sonko Bassirou Diomaye Faye Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains Senegal’s patriotic momentum gains traction with Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s bold new initiative Dakar witnessed a defining moment in Senegal’s political landscape this weekend as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye unveiled his latest patriotic project: the launch of Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, a party designed to embody a renewed vision for national progress. The ceremony, held at the luxurious Roi Fahd Hotel, drew significant attention from both local and international observers, signaling a potential shift in the country’s…

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Sahel alliance updates as Burkina Faso delegation meets Niger officials

Ousmane Tandja

Niamey, July 27, 2026 – High-level discussions among leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) continue as the bloc marks three years since the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) took power in Niger. Today, General Mohamed Toumba, Niger’s Minister of State for Interior, Public Security and Territorial Administration, welcomed Bassolma Bazié, President of Burkina Faso’s National AES Commission, for an official meeting. The Burkinabè envoy, in Niamey for the commemorative events, paid a courtesy call at the Interior Ministry, where both officials reviewed critical priorities…

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Senegal politics: Lansana Gagny Sakho criticizes Ousmane Sonko’s stance on institutions

Ousmane Tandja

In a surprising turn of political allegiance, Lansana Gagny Sakho, a former ally of Ousmane Sonko, has openly distanced himself from the leader of Pastef. Speaking as a prominent member of the Kiiraay party—backed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye—Sakho accused Sonko of failing to uphold republican values and prioritize state institutions. Sakho, who currently serves as chairman of the APIX board, revealed that he declined a high-ranking position in the water and sanitation sector after Senegal’s political transition. His decision came from a deep commitment to his principles rather than…

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Ousmane Sonko insists on holding local elections in Senegal in 2027

Ousmane Tandja

Senegal’s political landscape is bracing for a critical moment as national assembly president Ousmane Sonko takes a firm stand against any delay in the upcoming local elections scheduled for January 2027. The PASTEF leader has dismissed mounting speculation about postponing the vote, emphasizing that such a move would be unacceptable after the sacrifices made to preserve electoral integrity. Electoral calendar must be respected, Sonko declares Sonko addressed growing concerns about potential postponements, stressing that the January 2027 local elections are not a matter of convenience but a constitutional obligation. «…

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