Category: Politics

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, also leader of the PASTEF/Les Patriotes party, has called for an urgent gathering of top political strategists at his home in the Keur Gorgui district of Dakar. Scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM, this meeting comes amid heightened political tensions within the ruling coalition and the looming electoral calendar. While the official agenda remains undisclosed, insiders close to the party indicate discussions will center on assessing the recent wave of mobilizations led by the “Diomaye Président” coalition across the country, particularly in the…

There was no suspense surrounding the outcome of the recent gathering in Treichville. As predicted by a high-ranking member of the Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) on May 14, the conclusion was foregone: the incumbent leader was destined for re-election, a result intended to satisfy the entire assembly. The process at the Palais de la Culture was swift, with the decision finalized through a resounding wave of acclamations from the delegates. The path to victory was entirely uncontested, as no other names appeared on the ballot. Despite…

Urgent gathering at Ousmane Sonko’s residence ahead of key party congress Ousmane Sonko has called an emergency meeting of Pastef party leaders at his home in the Keur Gorgui district of Dakar. The late-afternoon session, scheduled for 6 p.m. this Friday, has heightened speculation about Senegal’s shifting political landscape ahead of the party’s upcoming June convention. Who’s attending the closed-door session Among the high-profile figures expected at Sonko’s Dakar residence are El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, Yassine Fall, Daouda Ngom, Abass Fall and Ayib Daffé. In addition to these…

Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, now an opposition figure, has been re-elected as leader of the Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) during the party’s first ordinary congress. Despite earlier signals of stepping down by late 2025, his leadership continues to resonate with supporters, even as the party faces mounting challenges following multiple election boycotts. Reaffirmation of leadership amid political challenges At nearly 81 years old, Gbagbo was re-elected to lead the PPA-CI on Friday, just months after announcing his intention to retire from political roles. His candidacy…

Once sidelined from the presidential race due to legal technicalities, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has defied expectations by reclaiming leadership of the People’s Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI). The decision came during the party’s first ordinary congress on May 14-15 at the Treichville Cultural Palace, where delegates unanimously endorsed his return despite his absence. Why Gbagbo made his political comeback The move appears motivated by several factors: President Alassane Ouattara’s decision to extend his own political career, the PPA-CI’s lackluster performance in recent elections, and what party officials describe…

May 15, 2026 Download rate card Switch to dark mode Switch to light mode PASTEF CONGRESS: OUSMANE SONKO SET FOR REELECTION AS PARTY LEADER breaking news May 15, 2026 As the PASTEF party gears up for its upcoming congress, the official opening of candidate submissions for the party leadership has commenced. The High Authority for Party Regulation (HARP) has outlined a clear timeline, allowing candidates to submit their applications from May 15, 2026, at midnight through May 20, 2026, at noon. To streamline the process, HARP will provide standardized candidate…

This Saturday, May 16, marks a full year since Succès Masra, a prominent Chadian opposition figure, was taken into custody. As the anniversary of his imprisonment passes, questions arise about the current state and future of Les Transformateurs, the political party he established. The former Prime Minister and leader of Les Transformateurs party was apprehended for allegedly inciting hatred following intercommunal unrest in the country’s southern region. In August 2025, he received a 20-year prison sentence. For the leadership and members of Les Transformateurs, this Saturday, May 16, marks a…

Laurent Gbagbo has been reaffirmed as president of the Parti des peuples africains-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) in a decisive congress held in Abidjan, marking a new chapter for the party he founded in 2021. At 81, the former Ivorian head of state secured another term, despite ongoing legal restrictions that have kept him from electoral participation. The gathering, the first of its kind since the party’s inception, unfolded against a backdrop of shrinking influence for radical opposition groups in Côte d’Ivoire. Rebuilding political relevance amid electoral setbacks The PPA-CI’s decision to…

In Chad, the sentencing of eight leaders from the Political Actors Consultation Group (GCAP) to eight years in prison has ignited a fierce political debate. Five days after the verdict, Hissein Abdoulaye, spokesperson for the opposition coalition, broke his silence to denounce what he calls a deliberate attempt by authorities to silence dissent. The ruling coincides with a period when Chadian leadership is striving to solidify the institutional framework emerging from the transition. Sentence seen as a political message The opposition coalition argues that the severity of the sentence is…

A significant transition is underway in Côte d’Ivoire as the nation closes a chapter on its electoral history. After a quarter-century of overseeing and organizing national elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has officially ceased to exist. This institution, which frequently faced strong opposition criticism, leaves behind a complex legacy. The central question now revolves around the future: What assessment can be made of the CEI’s long tenure? More importantly, what shape should the successor body take to truly guarantee fair and peaceful elections across the country? The aspirations for…

French President Emmanuel Macron has openly voiced his strong dissatisfaction regarding the state of relations between France and the military regimes across the Sahel region. Characterizing Paris’s efforts as having been «repaid with ingratitude,» the French head of state, in an unusually blunt manner, signaled the conclusion of a diplomatic era spanning over a decade. This direct statement unmistakably targets the ruling juntas in Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Niamey – three capitals that have each, in turn, ended bilateral military cooperation with France. Presidential remarks signal a definitive Sahelian shift The…