Category: News

The night of July 18th marked a dark chapter in Mali’s ongoing conflict, when a military convoy carrying Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) troops and Russian paramilitary personnel from the Africa Corps fell victim to a devastating ambush near the village of Tabrichat in northern Mali. The attack, one of the deadliest in fifteen years, left over 50 soldiers dead and dozens more missing or captured, sending shockwaves through the nation and raising urgent questions about battlefield coordination and adherence to warfare norms. Tabrichat ambush: a meticulously executed trap Following weeks…

Gabon’s president Brice Oligui Nguema embarks on three-day state visit to France Original reporting Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema begins a three-day state visit to France today, marking his second official trip since assuming office. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties between Libreville and Paris across key sectors such as investments, infrastructure development, energy transition, industrialization, cultural exchanges, and economic collaboration. Accompanied by a high-level delegation including business leaders, government officials, and media representatives, the Gabonese head of state is scheduled to meet with his French counterpart, President…

Senegal has activated its full diplomatic machinery to endorse Macky Sall’s candidacy for the upcoming United Nations Secretary-General election. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this strategic move on July 20, 2026, just three days after a pivotal meeting between the former and current presidents at the Republic Palace in Dakar. Diplomatic reversal reshapes regional alliances The announcement marks a significant departure from Senegal’s earlier stance. As recently as late March 2026, Dakar had aligned with approximately twenty African Union member states in opposing Sall’s bid—then championed by Burundi under…

For three intensive days, Gabon’s transitional leader, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, conducted a landmark state visit to France. The agenda was packed with high-stakes discussions, centered on two transformative pillars: reshaping the military footprint of the Camp de Gaulle base and accelerating Gabon’s manganese industry through local processing. Far from embracing abrupt confrontation or unconditional submission, Libreville is steering a bold yet pragmatic course—one that asserts sovereignty while securing strategic cooperation. A new chapter for Camp de Gaulle: Balancing autonomy with partnership The Camp de Gaulle, long a symbol…

The Côte d’Ivoire stands out in West Africa for its robust economic performance, and the government is leaving no stone unturned to highlight its achievements. In a comprehensive address from Abidjan, Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Trade, Industry, and SME Promotion, outlined the strides made in economic policy over recent years. The presentation served a dual purpose: educating stakeholders while reinforcing the narrative of a resilient Ivorian economy driven by industrialization, public investment, and economic diversification. Industrial transformation drives economic gains At the heart of the minister’s address was the push…

Gabon’s mining sector is poised for a major transformation as French miner Eramet commits to a landmark agreement that will significantly increase local processing of its manganese output. In a high-profile signing ceremony held in Paris, Eramet and its Gabonese subsidiary Comilog formalized plans to elevate the country’s manganese processing capacity to 700,000 tonnes annually by 2031. The event, attended by Gabon’s transitional president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and top Eramet executives, underscores the urgency of boosting domestic resource value addition. Breaking decades of raw material exports The protocol, signed…

Six prominent local leaders from Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), walked free on Monday after spending nine months in detention. Their release follows a judicial hearing at the country’s anti-terrorism court and was confirmed by their legal representative. Political detentions during a tense election year The freed PDCI officials were among dozens of opposition members arrested in 2025, a year marked by a highly contentious presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire. Their lawyer confirmed their release on social media, stating: “Following today’s hearing at…

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…

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…

Cameroon-FIDA partnership boosts rural farm output The Cameroun–FIDA collaboration has achieved remarkable progress in agricultural productivity, as highlighted during a joint review held in Yaoundé on July 16, 2026. The event marked the conclusion of the 2019-2026 Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) and set the stage for the next phase (2027-2032). Under the 2019-2026 COSOP, the FIDA focused on empowering rural communities—particularly women and youth—through targeted investments in small-scale farming and agribusiness. The programme’s primary aim was to enhance food security and improve livelihoods across Cameroun’s rural landscapes. Key achievements…