Category: Top Stories

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo faces escalating violence amid persistent conflict The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains gripped by a worsening security crisis, with renewed clashes between armed factions and military operations intensifying the risk of widespread instability across the Great Lakes region. The surge in violence not only threatens fragile peace efforts but also complicates regional stabilization initiatives led by international actors. In a series of coordinated attacks that unfolded between July 12 and 15 in the Beni area of North Kivu province, at least 20 civilians lost…

Strengthening Morocco-France defence cooperation with new agreements in Rabat On the high instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), Abdeltif Loudyi, Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defence Administration, welcomed France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, in Rabat this Thursday. The meeting was also attended by a high-ranking military official, the Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone. Minister Catherine Vautrin is part…

The Olympique de Marseille wrapped up a three-day preparatory stint in Abidjan on Saturday, July 18, following their arrival in Côte d’Ivoire on July 15. Led by coach Bruno Genesio, the French football giants brought a delegation of 80 people, including 24 players, to engage with local fans and communities. The highlight of the visit came on Friday, July 17, when OM faced Yamoussoukro FC at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium. The clash against the newly promoted Ligue 1 Ivoirienne side marked a rare opportunity for the inland club to test…

The 2026 Finance Law Revision (LFR) adopted by the Senate goes beyond mere revenue enhancement for the state. It transforms taxation into a strategic economic policy lever to promote Gabon’s local manufacturing industry. Through targeted VAT exemptions, reduced tax rates, and carefully designed incentives, the government aims to enhance the competitiveness of domestic enterprises, stimulate industrial processing, and decrease the country’s reliance on foreign goods. This reform places national production at the core of fiscal policy. By Ousmane Tandja — Senior correspondent

In the heart of Central Africa, a shadowy empire has taken root. The Russian paramilitary group Wagner, once weakened by the death of its founder Evgeny Prigojine, has found a lucrative lifeline in the Central African Republic—one that stretches far beyond traditional military operations. At the core of this resurgence is tramadol, an opioid painkiller repurposed into a dangerous stimulant, earning it the grim nickname “the poor man’s cocaine.” Originally prescribed for mild to moderate pain, tramadol in the Central African Republic is being rebranded and concentrated to alarming levels.…

« The Camp de Gaulle is no longer a French base. » These words from Fabrice Mauriès, France’s Ambassador to Gabon, during a 14 July address in Libreville, marked a definitive turning point in the evolving military partnership between Libreville and Paris. In his speech, the Ambassador outlined a co-constructed process of military cooperation, now in its final phase, aimed at modernizing defense relations between France and Gabon. This restructuring reflects a shared commitment to adapt to shifting security priorities in the region, while preserving a strategic alliance rooted in…

Morocco and France ink 14 new cooperation agreements Staff report Friday, July 17, 2026 at 9:45 AM UTC Set Yahoo as your preferred source to view our articles on Google. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu concluded a two-day visit to Rabat with the signing of 14 new cooperation agreements between Morocco and France. The new accords span critical sectors including economy, security, migration, and defense, reinforcing the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the agreements was a framework deal focused on scientific cooperation, highlighting…

Three years ago, Paris Saint-Germain etched its name in Ligue 1 history by selling Neymar to Al-Hilal for €90 million—a record that could soon be shattered. Lille OSC president Olivier Létang is now pursuing an even more ambitious deal: securing the transfer of Moroccan sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, whose stock has soared following his standout performance at the World Cup. The 18-year-old midfielder has become one of Europe’s most sought-after talents, with top Premier League clubs circling. Lille, however, remains his preferred destination—a sentiment reinforced by Létang himself. “Few clubs today…

British telecom infrastructure giant Helios Towers is set to inject a substantial $150 million into Senegal’s telecommunications sector. This significant commitment follows a high-level meeting between the company’s CEO and President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye at the Presidential Palace in Dakar. The capital infusion is strategically aimed at solidifying Helios Towers’ footprint within Senegal’s rapidly evolving market, where robust mobile network densification is now crucial for the expansion of the digital economy, a key aspect of the African economy today. Strategic bet on mobile network densification As a specialist in…

djoutou’s honey enterprise: a new blueprint for gabonese local economic growth In the ongoing global discourse about natural resource utilization, a pivotal question consistently arises: how can a region’s inherent wealth be converted into lasting prosperity for its inhabitants? In Gabon, moving beyond its significant oil reserves and manganese mines, an answer is now emerging through a newly inaugurated honey production facility nestled deep within the Djoutou forest. This seemingly modest undertaking, however, signifies a profound shift in local development strategy, emphasizing the rich heritage of traditional expertise, fostering community-driven…

Breaking Politics escalation of Sudan war spills into Chad’s border regions July 17, 2026 Three years into Sudan’s brutal conflict, its flames have now reached Chad’s doorstep. Border strikes, military tensions, and communal clashes: N’Djamena is caught in the crossfire. The war pitting Sudan’s army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, aka Hemedti, has raged since April 2023. Though Chad has publicly maintained neutrality, it has quietly backed the RSF—creating a dangerous contradiction at home. N’Djamena’s support for the RSF,…

UN sanctions target six leaders of armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Corneille Nangaa addressing media in Goma Security Thursday, July 16, 2026 – 19:46 The United Nations Security Council’s sanctions committee, established under resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo, has officially added six individuals and two entities to its sanctions list. This decision, announced on July 16, targets key figures driving instability in eastern DRC, aiming to curb their violent activities that have devastated local communities for years. The sanctions target prominent armed group…