Category: Top Stories

Top officials from Bénin and Morocco have concluded high-level talks in Cotonou, expressing full satisfaction with the progress of their bilateral cooperation while underscoring a shared commitment to deepen and diversify this partnership moving forward. The discussions, held ahead of the joint presidency of the seventh session of the Morocco-Bénin Joint Cooperation Commission, highlighted significant achievements since the historic visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Cotonou in June 2004. The meeting, led by Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, and Corinne…

Since assuming leadership of the Africa desk at France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in January 2024, Emmanuelle Blatmann, a seasoned 46-year-old diplomat, has been slated to take over the French embassy in Dakar. Her appointment arrives at a pivotal moment, as ties between Paris and Dakar undergo significant transformation. By Ousmane Tandja — Senior correspondent

The Moroccan capital, Rabat, is set to host the African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) 2026 from July 20 to 24, a landmark event focused on maritime security and innovation. Organized under the leadership of the Royal Moroccan Navy, in collaboration with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVAF) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa (MARFORAF), this year’s summit introduces interactive workshops designed to tackle pressing maritime challenges through practical, scenario-based discussions. a collaborative approach to maritime security The AMFS 2026 program revolves around three core pillars: national…

Niamey has initiated a pivotal diplomatic consultation at the behest of the United Nations, positioning Niger as a key player in reshaping the mandate of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). The visit by Sahle-Work Zewde, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, to President General Abdourahamane Tiani marks the launch of a comprehensive review aimed at redefining the bureau’s approach in a region grappling with complex political and security dynamics. Niamey, the first stop in a regional evaluation The Nigerien capital serves as the starting point for…

mayo-tsanaga crisis: years of terror and state neglect in Cameroon’s forgotten region Over 50 abandoned villages, thousands displaced, and the guilty silence of an absent state The menace of Boko Haram is no longer a distant threat. In the Mayo-Tsanaga department of Cameroon, it has become an inescapable daily reality. Originating in Nigeria’s Borno State in the early 2000s, this Islamist insurgency crossed international borders in 2014. The first Cameroonian locality struck was Tourou village near the Gossi mountain, approximately 35 kilometers from Mokolo. Since then, hundreds of Boko Haram…

Diplomacy Kazakhstan-Morocco ties: new era for strategic trade and investment The Government of Kazakhstan is actively pursuing direct trade partnerships with Morocco, aiming to secure premium-quality goods while eliminating intermediary costs that inflate prices for Moroccan exporters. 21 July 2026 at 15:26 During a high-level meeting in Rabat, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Alibek Kuantyrov, highlighted Morocco’s strategic importance as a key partner for Astana. Speaking alongside Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, he emphasized the strong potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties.…

Just three days after welcoming him to the Palais de la République, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye made a decisive announcement: Senegal will provide its full backing to former President Macky Sall’s candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General. While this endorsement is significant, its impact on the final outcome remains uncertain. The decision reflects a strategic shift—a deliberate move beyond personal grievances. For months, Dakar’s silence on the matter had raised eyebrows, leaving observers to question why Senegal, a nation with a strong diplomatic tradition, had not rallied behind one of its…

French honors Gabonese President with state visit ceremony in Paris 84 No comment Paris, Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — The diplomatic language of protocol speaks volumes. When a nation grants its highest state honors to a foreign leader, the gesture transcends mere symbolism. It signals a deliberate choice to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. By welcoming Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema with full state honors, France did more than celebrate a diplomatic tradition. It marked the inauguration of a renewed partnership between Paris and Libreville, set against…

In the heart of Dakar, police operations targeting foreigners are intensifying at an unprecedented pace. Over an eight-day span, authorities conducted 490 identity checks, forwarding 36 individuals to prosecutors for irregular stay—a development that has sent ripples through civil society and the expatriate community. The surge in administrative verifications has left many residents uneasy. Among them is Amadou Bangoura, a 30-year-old Beninese student who has called Senegal home for five years while pursuing higher education. One evening, as he exited a gym in the Liberté 6 district, a police patrol…

Morocco and Mauritania strengthen security partnership against Sahel challenges Deeper coordination between Morocco and Mauritania aims to secure the Maghreb’s southern borders and reinforce joint efforts in counterterrorism and organized crime prevention. The Morocco-Mauritania security partnership is evolving into one of the Maghreb’s most critical bilateral alliances. Both nations are stepping up border control, migration management, and counterterrorism efforts as instability spreads across the Sahel region. During high-level talks in Rabat, Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and Mauritania’s Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine agreed to deepen inter-ministerial cooperation…

Morocco and Mauritania strengthen security cooperation to tackle Sahel challenges Enhanced collaboration between Morocco and Mauritania aims to secure southern borders and reinforce regional security leadership. Morocco and Mauritania are deepening what has become one of the most critical security partnerships in Northwest Africa. Both nations are intensifying their coordination on border control, migration management, organized crime prevention, and counterterrorism as instability spreads across the Sahel. During recent meetings in Rabat, Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and Mauritania’s Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine agreed to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation…

The Niger is positioning itself as a key voice in reshaping the mandate of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). In Niamey, Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, Chairman of the Advisory Council for Refoundation (CCR), engaged in high-level talks with former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, who is leading the Independent Strategic Review of the UNOWAS. This dialogue unfolds amid a shifting landscape of Sahelian relations with international institutions. Niger’s leadership in regional stability discussions As part of an ongoing evaluation of UNOWAS effectiveness, Sahle-Work Zewde’s mission…