Category: Top Stories

PolitiqueAfrique Déclaration de patrimoine : vers un référendum au Sénégal Georges Ibrahim Tounkara 18/08/202618 août 2026 The parliamentary vote on asset declarations hasn’t settled the debate. The president’s announcement of a referendum reopens questions surrounding the critical anti-corruption measure. https://p.dw.com/p/5J2XL In a significant stride towards enhanced transparency within Senegal’s political landscape, a new legislative measure focused on asset declarations has been approved. Passed on Monday, August 17, 2026, with 133 votes out of 165 deputies, this text fortifies a requirement that has been enshrined in the nation’s Constitution since 2001.…

Amidst the celebration of Gabon’s 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, who presides over the Forum for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) and was a candidate in the August 2023 presidential election, publicly urged all national stakeholders to forge a ‘National Consolidation Pact’. This initiative is envisioned as a framework to unite patriots around Gabon’s most critical national priorities. The concept advanced by the FDR president is neither a power-sharing arrangement nor an appeal for the opposition to abandon its fundamental role. Instead, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou seeks to establish…

The latest figures on Benin’s public debt stock, now standing at 9,122.2 billion F CFA, have triggered renewed concerns about potential over-indebtedness. Yet a closer look at macroeconomic indicators reveals a picture of fiscal stability, far from the doom-and-gloom narratives. Public Debt Remains Well Below Regional Ceilings A key measure of debt sustainability is the debt-to-GDP ratio. At 50.1%, Benin’s debt level is comfortably below the 70% convergence threshold set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), leaving ample fiscal space. The country enjoys a buffer of nearly…

African Politics Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo elevate cooperation to new heights during presidential visit Reporting TeamAugust 15, 2026116No comment Libreville, August 15, 2026 — The state visit by Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to Libreville transcended the boundaries of a routine diplomatic courtesy. The exchanges between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President and his Gabonese counterpart, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, revealed a shared ambition to elevate bilateral relations into a powerful driver of economic transformation, regional stability, and African solidarity. Three landmark agreements emerged from the talks, giving substance…

In a troubling escalation of security threats along the Ndele corridor, armed groups linked to foreign mercenaries have established an unauthorized checkpoint, mirroring official security operations. This brazen move has led to the interception of a civilian truck traveling from Bangui, with the driver subsequently detained under dubious circumstances. Unsanctioned roadblock raises alarm A new form of lawlessness has emerged near Ndele, where armed factions, reportedly operating with impunity, have set up a makeshift roadblock indistinguishable from legitimate security measures. Eyewitnesses describe the scene as a disturbing parallel to state-sanctioned…

Economy Gabon and African Development Bank launch new priority projects pact By Editor-in-Chief August 15, 2026 37 No comment Libreville, Saturday, August 15, 2026 – A transformative partnership between Gabon and the African Development Bank (BAD) is taking shape. On Friday, August 14, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema welcomed the new BAD president, Sidi Ould Tah, for discussions that went beyond routine portfolio reviews. This meeting marked the beginning of a strategic realignment aimed at maximizing development impact. The Gabonese government has made it clear that external financing must…

President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) arrived in Libreville on Friday for a state visit aimed at deepening ties between Gabon and the DRC. The visit, described as both a working and goodwill mission, was hosted by Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Upon landing, President Tshisekedi was greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters, creating a vibrant welcome atmosphere at the airport. Honoring Gabon’s founding leader His first official stop was the refurbished Léon Mba Memorial, where he paid tribute to Léon…

The judicial saga surrounding post-election detainees in Cameroon drags on, leaving families and activists in a state of prolonged uncertainty. Months after the 2025 presidential vote, hundreds remain behind bars, caught in a labyrinth of legal delays and administrative hurdles. Critics argue the process has become a symbol of delayed justice, while authorities insist on due process. Legal limbo: A system overwhelmed by cases Courtrooms in Yaoundé and Douala are struggling to keep pace with the sheer volume of post-election cases. Defense attorneys describe a system buckling under the weight…

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, paid an official visit to Libreville on Friday, meeting with Gabonese leader Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between the pan-African institution and the Central African nation. The AfDB delegation, led by its president and including Gabon resident representative Nouredine Kane Dia, engaged in high-level discussions focused on assessing the bank’s current portfolio in Gabon and aligning future projects with the government’s development priorities. Key development priorities: water, energy and agriculture During the meeting, Gabon…

Viral footage has laid bare the staggering cost of living in Dakar, where everyday staples like chicken—priced at 2,610 F CFA per kilogram—now exceed Parisian rates, deepening concerns about Senegalese purchasing power. A stark contrast in essentials When comparing prices between Senegal’s capital and France’s, the disparities are eye-opening. A kilogram of whole chicken sells for 2,610 F CFA in Dakar versus the equivalent of 2,300 F CFA in Paris. Butter, too, reflects this imbalance: 2,990 F CFA in Dakar against 1,990 F CFA in the French capital. Even cooking…

Gabon’s political renaissance takes shape under the equatorial sky The aspirations of the Gabonese people are no longer confined to words—they are now etched in the concrete actions reshaping the nation. From the bustling streets of Libreville to the quiet corners of rural towns, a palpable shift is underway. Political resolve has never been stronger, mirroring the collective yearning for progress that grows with each passing day. August 2023: a turning point in Gabon’s modern history By the time the sun set on August 30, 2023, the nation had reached…