Bénin’s minister georges alé champions quality in ongoing road infrastructure projects

Ousmane Tandja

In a dedicated effort to monitor major initiatives aimed at modernizing Bénin’s national road network, Georges Alé, the Minister of Living Environment and Transport, conducted a comprehensive inspection tour last Tuesday. His visit focused on three crucial construction sites, underscoring technical excellence, environmental protection, public health considerations, and strict adherence to contractual timelines. The ministerial delegation’s initial stop brought them to the Djonou bridge, situated within the Abomey-Calavi commune. At this location, dredging operations have been successfully brought to completion. This vital intervention has effectively cleared the waterway, ensuring superior…

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Burkina Faso faces scrutiny over military-run training camps

Aïcha Abdou

The patriotic immersion program that sparked serious allegations What was touted as a nation-building initiative for Burkina Faso’s female football team has instead become a source of grave concern. Players and technical staff members claim they endured sexual violence during a so-called patriotic immersion stage held at a military camp. According to a complaint filed in Morocco, six athletes and one staff member allege they were subjected to abuses by military officers, raising troubling questions about the boundaries between military authority and civilian protection in the current political climate. The…

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Russia’s growing military ties with west african alliance reshaping regional security

Ousmane Tandja

Russia is deepening its military and security partnerships with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This strategic collaboration was highlighted during a high-level meeting in Niamey, Niger, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and representatives of the AES outlined a roadmap to bolster defense cooperation. The agreement focuses on enhancing joint efforts to combat extremist violence and address the persistent security challenges plaguing the Sahel region. Both sides emphasized the urgency of strengthening regional stability through coordinated military action and capacity-building…

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Mauritania’s delicate balancing act in Western Sahara tensions

Ousmane Tandja

An unexpected diplomatic flare-up in Dakar last July exposed the intricate balancing act Mauritania performs on the Western Sahara issue. Between claims of “positive neutrality,” economic imperatives, and the preservation of its sovereignty, Nouakchott’s carefully crafted ambiguity has become its trademark strategy—especially when it comes to not provoking Morocco. What began as a routine book launch event at the Moroccan embassy in Dakar quickly escalated into a heated confrontation. Former Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio sparked outrage when he remarked that, in Senegalese collective memory, Morocco was located “just…

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How to secure hull city vs manchester united tickets for premier league 2026/27

Aïcha Abdou

Hull City’s long-awaited return to the Premier League kicks off with a blockbuster home fixture against 20-time English champions Manchester United on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The Tigers secured promotion after a dramatic extra-time winner from Oli McBurnie in the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley last May, sending supporters into raptures. Manchester United, meanwhile, finished the 2025/26 season strongly by clinching Champions League football with a third-place finish. Now under permanent leadership, manager Michael Carrick aims to build on last season’s solid foundations. For fans eager to witness…

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Franco Mastantuono’s future in flux as Real Madrid weighs Serie A loan offers

Aïcha Abdou

The Real Madrid hierarchy is weighing up temporary options for 18-year-old Argentine sensation Franco Mastantuono as the club seeks to secure his long-term development in European football. After a debut season in the Spanish capital that fell short of expectations, the club has concluded that a change of scenery is necessary to unlock his potential. The teenager, who arrived amid great fanfare, struggled to carve out consistent playing time at the Santiago Bernabéu. With first-team minutes proving elusive, both the club and Mastantuono’s representatives have now mutually agreed that a…

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Benin grants citizenship to 28 afro-descendants in historic ceremony

Ousmane Tandja

The Republic of Bénin has taken a historic step by granting citizenship to 28 Afro-descendants during a solemn ceremony in Cotonou. This event marks a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing commitment to reconnect with its diaspora and honor its ancestral roots. A ceremony rooted in history and memory Held at the judicial complex in Cotonou on July 30, 2026, the event was presided over by the Keeper of the Seals and Minister of Justice and Legislation, Yvon Detchenou. Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Minister of Foreign Affairs,…

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How women migrants power Senegal’s economy while fighting invisibility

Ousmane Tandja

The 31st of July marks Africa Women’s Day, a date tied to a historic 1962 conference in Dar es Salaam that shaped the continent’s feminist and panafricanist movements. In 2026, the African Union has dedicated the year to water access: “ensuring sustainable availability of water and safe sanitation systems to meet the goals of Agenda 2063.” Yet, behind these noble ambitions lies a stark reality in Senegal, where the economy thrives on the uncounted labor of migrant women whose work remains largely invisible. Invisible engines: women migrants keeping Senegal moving…

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Geopolitical crossroads Mauritania’s role between Morocco Senegal

Aïcha Abdou

When examining the relationship between Morocco and Senegal, one cannot overlook the pivotal role of Mauritania, as highlighted by Mauritanian journalist Ahmed Ould Bettar. The vast stretch of land separating Rabat from Dakar is not merely an empty space—it is a region shaped by history, sovereignty, and strategic interests. At its core lies the Western Sahara, a territory whose status remains internationally contested. Yet, equally indispensable to this equation is the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, whose geographical and political significance is often underestimated. Mauritania: The missing link in Maghreb-West Africa…

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Côte d’Ivoire celebrates women’s pivotal role in nation-building

Aïcha Abdou

Yopougon served as the launching pad for a groundbreaking initiative as the inaugural National Women Builders of the Nation Week kicked off on July 30 at the Yopougon town hall. The event, slated for August 1–4, 2026, aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s 66th independence anniversary celebrations. Reflecting on progress and charting the future The week-long program centers on the theme « 66 years of Côte d’Ivoire’s independence: what gains for women and what lies ahead? » Its core mission is to spotlight the indispensable contributions women have made to the country’s…

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Civilian casualties in Mopti linked to Africa corps strike

Aïcha Abdou

Civilian deaths in Mopti after alleged Africa Corps airstrike Eight civilians, including three children, lost their lives in an airstrike in the central Malian village of Kyrnia on June 15, according to Human Rights Watch. The paramilitary group Africa Corps, operating under Russia’s Defense Ministry, is accused of carrying out the attack, which the organization describes as indiscriminate and targeting no identifiable military objective. The Malian and Russian governments have yet to respond to these allegations. Human Rights Watch’s findings, detailed in a newly released report, indicate that a combat…

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Gabon secures $920 million on international markets

Ousmane Tandja

Gabon has successfully re-entered international financial markets, securing a substantial $920 million Eurobond. This significant operation is widely seen as a strong indicator of confidence for foreign investors. Orchestrated under the guidance of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), this marks the Gabonese Treasury’s first major venture into the sovereign debt market denominated in foreign currency in several years. Libreville’s primary objective is to realign its debt profile and acquire fresh dollar resources, particularly as the nation’s financing requirements remain considerable. A $920 million Eurobond to…

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