Le premier Sénat du Bénin entre en fontion

Ousmane Tandja

L’institution est composée de 25 parlementaires qui ne sont pas élus mais désignés par le chef de l’Etat ou membres de droit, comme les anciens présidents. Elle a été créée lors d’une révision constitutionnelle adoptée en novembre 2025, notamment pour «réguler la vie politique». La cérémonie a été présidée par la doyenne d’âge du Sénat, Élisabeth Pognon, 89 ans, première femme présidente de la Cour constitutionnelle. «Vous et moi avons l’honneur redoutable d’être les premiers au sein de cette nouvelle institution», a-t-elle déclaré. Elle a appelé les parlementaires à faire…

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L’Espagne et le Maroc conviennent de renvoyer les migrants en situation irrégulière à Ceuta et Melilla

Aïcha Abdou

L’Espagne et le Maroc conviennent de renvoyer les migrants en situation irrégulière à Ceuta et Melilla La crise migratoire à Ceuta renforce la coopération étroite entre l’Espagne et le Maroc, tandis que Bruxelles réaffirme que le Maroc est un partenaire stratégique en matière de migration et souligne le renforcement de la coopération entre Rabat et Madrid dans la gestion des frontières et la lutte contre les réseaux de traite des êtres humains. De Gibraltar à l’Arctique : Pourquoi l’Arctique ne peut pas attendre la gouvernance de demain Mohamed VI annonce…

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Gabon secures $920 million bond issuance on global markets

Ousmane Tandja

The Gabonese government has successfully returned to international financial markets with a $920 million bond issuance, equivalent to over 526 billion CFA francs. According to an official statement, the bond features a three-year repayment moratorium, starting in 2029, with a final maturity date set for 2033. The proceeds from this issuance will primarily fund state investment projects and settle outstanding arrears, as outlined in the 2026 revised budget strategy. This milestone follows extensive negotiations where the Minister of Economy and Finance engaged with leading global institutional investors to secure favorable…

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Ousmane sonko meets mouride leader ahead of touba’s grand magal 2026

Aïcha Abdou

Touba — As the countdown to the Grand Magal of Touba 2026 begins, the President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, paid a courtesy visit to the holy city of Touba. There, he was warmly received by the General Khalif of the Mouride Brotherhood, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, in an atmosphere steeped in reverence and spiritual devotion. During the meeting, Sonko conveyed his deepest respects to the religious leader, underscoring his admiration for the spiritual and historical significance of the Grand Magal. This annual celebration honors the exile of Cheikh Ahmadou…

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Côte d’Ivoire unveils landmark national territorial development plan for 2045

Ousmane Tandja

This week marked a pivotal moment for Côte d’Ivoire’s future spatial organization. Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, Minister of Planning and Development, led a landmark national workshop in Abidjan to validate the study for the National Territorial Development Framework (SNAT CI-2045). The high-level gathering brought together top officials, prefects, local authorities, technical partners, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, academics, experts, and media professionals. This validation step paves the way for the adoption of Côte d’Ivoire’s first-ever national territorial planning blueprint. Once finalized, the SNAT CI-2045 will serve as the cornerstone for…

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Togo constitutional crisis deepens as government rejects ECOWAS ruling

Aïcha Abdou

The recent Community Court of Justice ruling on Togo’s constitutional amendment has ignited a fierce debate in Lomé. While the government dismisses the decision on legal grounds, the Togolese Association of Torture Victims (ASVITTO) has launched a scathing attack, accusing authorities of engaging in state-sanctioned criminality. Lomé’s legal defence: a claim of jurisdictional limits The Togolese government has swiftly countered the ECOWAS court ruling, arguing that the regional judiciary lacks the authority to review national constitutional matters. Authorities contend that the court has no jurisdiction to assess decisions made by…

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Sonko praises Serigne Touba’s legacy ahead of grand magal in touba

Aïcha Abdou

With just days remaining before the grand Magal pilgrimage, the President of Senegal’s National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, paid a customary courtesy visit to the Grand Mouride Khalif, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, in Touba. The delegation, which included numerous deputies and Pastef party officials, underscored the enduring ties between the state and the Mouride brotherhood amid a period of heightened public debate. The visit held particular significance as Sonko took the opportunity to honor the legacy and contributions of Serigne Touba, the revered founder of the Mouride Islamic movement. « Our joy…

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Ebola containment in drc demands open borders and urgent action

Aïcha Abdou

With over 3,000 confirmed cases and nearly 1,500 deaths reported by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government, the Ebola outbreak continues its relentless spread. Health authorities and humanitarian organizations are warning of an alarming acceleration in transmission, describing the situation as a rapidly worsening crisis. Julien Harneis, the United Nations’ principal coordinator for Ebola response, recently highlighted that infections are doubling every 20 days. He emphasized that the epidemic’s pace far outstrips current containment efforts, creating a critical gap between spread and response. Sustaining border openness for effective response…

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Benin’s first senate begins operations after historic reform

Aïcha Abdou

Benin’s Senate revival marks a new chapter in governance The first Senate of the Republic of Bénin has officially commenced its duties, heralding a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape. After decades without this institution, its reinstatement reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening democratic frameworks and enhancing legislative processes. Key figures behind the Senate’s establishment The inauguration of the Senate brings together prominent political leaders who have played pivotal roles in shaping Bénin’s governance. Among them are former President Thomas Boni Yayi, whose vision has long influenced the country’s…

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Dakar 2026: the president urges Senegal’s youth to embrace excellence

Ousmane Tandja

Dakar 2026: the president urges Senegal’s youth to embrace excellence As Dakar gears up to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a powerful message to the nation’s brightest students during the annual Concours général award ceremony. Calling on the country’s top performers to channel their talents toward national progress, he framed the upcoming event as a transformative opportunity for Senegal. The theme of this year’s ceremony, “Senegal at the dawn of the Youth Olympic Games: rebuilding the meaning of the common good through Olympic…

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Côte d’Ivoire advances landmark territorial planning framework for 2045 vision

Ousmane Tandja

The Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane DiarraSSouba, led a pivotal national workshop in Abidjan today, marking a decisive step toward validating the Côte d’Ivoire National Territorial Planning Scheme (SNAT CI-2045). The gathering convened key stakeholders including government institutions, prefectural officials, local authorities, technical and financial partners, public administrations, private sector representatives, civil society, academic experts, and media professionals. The workshop sets the stage for adopting the country’s first national reference framework for territorial planning. Once implemented, the SNAT CI-2045 will equip the state with a strategic roadmap to…

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Crisis in eastern dr Congo as humanitarian law violations surge

Aïcha Abdou

In the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), persistent breaches of international humanitarian law continue to escalate, despite repeated commitments from national authorities and international partners. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has intensified calls for stricter adherence to these critical legal frameworks, emphasizing the urgent need for action. With armed groups proliferating and civilians bearing the brunt of the violence, the ICRC organized a high-level conference in Kinshasa on July 23 to address the crisis. The event brought together military officials, humanitarian workers,…

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