Dakar, the vibrant heart of Senegal, sets the stage for a pivotal moment in continental diplomacy as it prepares to host the 85th Executive Committee Session of the African Parliamentary Union on June 3 and 4, 2026. With delegations from across the continent converging on the capital, Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly of Senegal, has underscored the urgency of advancing the Pan-African ideal through strengthened parliamentary collaboration. In a pre-event statement filled with conviction, Sonko addressed his fellow African lawmakers, emphasizing the critical role of unity in overcoming…
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Nigeria and Benin strengthen ties with high-level diplomatic visit
The Federal Republic of Nigeria recently rolled out the red carpet for the newly elected President of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, on his maiden foreign trip since assuming office. The historic visit, which kicked off on June 1 in Lagos, underscored the deepening bonds between Africa’s most populous nation and its smaller neighbor. Upon arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, President Wadagni was greeted by Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State. The warm welcome, held at the presidential pavilion, highlighted the significance both nations attach to fostering closer cooperation. The…
Read MoreMohammed VI and the president of the United Arab Emirates meet in Rabat
In a significant demonstration of the enduring alliance between two brotherly nations, King Mohammed VI held talks with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. The high-level encounter took place at the Emirati leader’s residence in Rabat, where he is currently conducting a private visit to the Kingdom. Strengthening strategic ties and regional cooperation The discussions provided a vital platform for the two heads of state to evaluate current global dynamics. A significant portion of the dialogue focused on…
Read MoreBenin’s bold diplomatic overture to Sahel allies
The Republic of Benin has embarked on a decisive diplomatic shift. In the early days of his presidency, Romuald Wadagni, newly sworn in, initiated an urgent regional tour, starting with Niamey and Ouagadougou. The mission: to mend fractured ties with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and reposition Benin as a pivotal partner in West Africa. Immediate regional engagements Within the first week of his mandate, President Wadagni conducted a series of high-level visits that caught many by surprise. He met with Niger’s transitional leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, in Niamey…
Read MoreSurviving Jnim blockades in Mali amid hunger, fear and talks
Life under siege: how civilians navigate Jnim blockades in central Mali In the heart of Mali, communities face an unconventional battlefield where hunger and fear are as much weapons as bullets. The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (Jnim), through systematic blockades, has transformed daily survival into a precarious act of balance. Roads sealed off, farmlands cordoned, markets shut down—these measures, cloaked as religious or social dictates, strangle rather than conquer. Residents of towns like Marébougou, Saye, and Kori-Maoundé endure this slow suffocation. Their struggle is not one of open conflict…
Read MoreBénin’s green future: children lead national tree planting drive
The Republic of Benin has intensified its efforts to restore forest landscapes, with the national tree-planting campaign gaining unprecedented momentum. On June 1, 2026, Public Primary School Hêkandji in Tori-Bossito hosted the 42nd edition of the National Tree Day, serving as the official launch of the 2026–2027 reforestation initiative. Young voices for environmental stewardship This year’s observance, themed “Children, Forest Ambassadors Committed to a Verdant Benin”, unfolded simultaneously across all twelve departments. The event underscored a strategic shift: empowering the younger generation as frontline advocates for climate action and ecological…
Read MoreEu boosts Morocco’s water security with €348 million funding
In a landmark agreement signed in Rabat, the European Union (EU) and key European development agencies have pledged a substantial €348 million (approximately 3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams) to bolster Morocco’s national water strategy over the next three years. The funding was formalized at the Ministry of Equipment and Water, with Minister Nizar Baraka and ambassadors from the EU, France, Germany, and Italy in attendance. The initiative follows a previous agreement reached in November 2024, during a high-level meeting between King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the President of France, which…
Read MoreMali and Burkina Faso boost joint security and diplomatic efforts against armed groups
Strengthened border security and diplomatic ties amid rising threats The governments of Mali and Burkina Faso are intensifying their collaboration on both security and humanitarian fronts to address the escalating challenges posed by armed groups along their shared border. Recent developments underscore the urgency of these efforts as new waves of displaced persons flee violence in Burkina Faso’s conflict-affected regions. On May 31, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, arrived in Bamako for a working visit aimed at deepening coordination between the two nations’ security forces. He was received…
Read MoreAhmadou al amine mohamed lô forms new Senegal government without ousmane sonko’s pastef
Dakar, Senegal – Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Amine Mohamed Lô has officially announced the formation of Senegal’s new government, a 30-member cabinet notably devoid of representatives from the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party. This development unfolds despite PASTEF holding a majority in the National Assembly, marking a significant moment in Senegalese politics. The cabinet overhaul emerges amid a broader national political realignment, which sees a blend of technocratic experts and seasoned political figures joining the executive branch. Prior to the official announcement, former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko had publicly indicated that…
Read MorePresident wadagni’s strategic visit to Abuja signals new era for Benin-Nigeria relations
Barely a week after his inauguration as President of the Republic on May 24, Romuald Wadagni wasted no time in asserting his diplomatic agenda on the international stage. On Monday, June 1, the Beninese head of state embarked on his first official overseas journey, traveling to Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This initial foreign engagement served as a profound declaration of his administration’s geopolitical priorities. By selecting the Nigerian economic giant for his inaugural trip beyond national borders, President Wadagni made a powerful diplomatic statement, clearly…
Read MoreBordeaux sets legal precedent for Gabonese artefact restitution
Bordeaux has taken a groundbreaking step in the restitution of African heritage. On June 1, 2026, the city’s municipal council officially declined a bequest of 53 artworks from multiple African countries, currently held in the reserves and display cases of the Musée d’Aquitaine. Far from a contradictory act, this decision is a crucial legal prerequisite. Under French law, public collections are bound by the principle of inalienability, and rejecting the bequest prevents these pieces from entering the public museum domain, where their transfer would become nearly impossible. Legal ingenuity to…
Read MoreBénin’s new president makes first diplomatic moves in Niamey and Ouagadougou
Freshly sworn in as Benin’s president, Romuald Wadagni has embarked on a parallel visit to Niamey and Ouagadougou on June 2, marking his first diplomatic initiative since assuming office. This dual stopover, just days after his inauguration in Cotonou on May 24, signals a clear intent to mend strained relations with Sahelian neighbors led by General Abdourahamane Tiani and Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Diplomatic thaw: bridging divides in West Africa’s shifting landscape The timing of Wadagni’s visit underscores the urgency of restoring cooperation between Benin and its northern partners. Tensions have…
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