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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Senegal’s grand magal 2026: Mouride leader urges unity ahead of touba pilgrimage

Aïcha Abdou

The spiritual leader of the Mouride brotherhood, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, has issued a renewed call for peace and national unity ahead of the landmark Grand Magal of Touba in 2026. The annual pilgrimage, set for August 2, 2026, commemorates the exile of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, the founding figure of the Mouride Islamic tradition. National assembly president pays courtesy visit to Touba On July 30, Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, made a formal visit to Touba to meet with the Khalife général des Mourides. The meeting underscored the deep…

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Côte d’Ivoire unveils long-term territorial planning framework for 2045

Aïcha Abdou

The Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, led a pivotal national workshop in Abidjan this week to validate the study of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Territorial Planning Framework (SNAT CI-2045). The event brought together representatives from government institutions, local authorities, technical and financial partners, public administrations, the private sector, civil society, academia, experts, and media outlets. The gathering marks a critical milestone toward adopting the nation’s first comprehensive territorial planning reference document. Once finalized, the SNAT CI-2045 will provide Côte d’Ivoire with a robust framework to guide public and…

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Benin to lead African Union peace and security council in september 2026

Ousmane Tandja

In September 2026, Benin will take center stage on the continental diplomatic scene as it assumes the rotating presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC). This leadership role marks a pivotal moment for the country, particularly as it aligns with Benin’s two-year mandate (2026-2028) secured in February of the same year. The transition reflects not only Benin’s growing influence in African diplomacy but also its commitment to addressing urgent security challenges across the continent. Preparations Underway in Addis Ababa Final preparations for this high-stakes presidency were deliberated…

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Breaking cryptographic algorithms: claude’s findings on hawk and AES

Aïcha Abdou

On July 28, 2026, Anthropic’s Frontier Red Team published a research note titled “discovering cryptographic weaknesses with Claude”. The findings, derived from an internal preview of Mythos not yet available to the public, focus on two security algorithms: HAWK, a post-quantum digital signature scheme, and a reduced version of AES, commonly used in academic research to test cryptographic robustness. Anthropic emphasizes that neither discovery poses a threat to current computing systems. However, the implications—while far from catastrophic—are not negligible, contrary to what some headlines might suggest. Post-quantum falcon: HAWK’s brief…

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Côte d’Ivoire advances blue economy with FAO-backed strategy

Ousmane Tandja

Grand-Bassam — A pivotal workshop to validate four thematic group reports on the blue economy opened Thursday in Grand-Bassam, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The two-day gathering aims to align these findings with Côte d’Ivoire’s sustainable development goals while pinpointing partnership opportunities to propel the sector forward. Dedi Séraphin, Programme Officer for FAO Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized the agency’s long-standing collaboration with Ivorian authorities to shape policies that bolster food security, sustainable natural resource management, and—through a dedicated blue economy project—the sustainable enhancement of…

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Mali’s new presidential jet sparks debate amid security and economic challenges

Aïcha Abdou

The unveiling of Mali’s newly acquired Boeing 737 presidential aircraft on state television has ignited a fierce debate about the government’s priorities, particularly as the nation grapples with deepening security crises and economic strain. Authorities justified the purchase by highlighting financial prudence, claiming that after insurance compensations and the resale of components from the previous aircraft, the net cost would amount to approximately six billion West African francs rather than the gross expenditure of 15.6 billion. Timing draws sharp criticism The timing of the announcement has drawn widespread criticism. While…

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Côte d’ivoire unveils long-term territorial planning framework for 2045

Ousmane Tandja

The Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane DiarraSSouba, led a pivotal national workshop in Abidjan to validate the study of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Territorial Development Framework (SNAT CI-2045). The session convened representatives from state institutions, prefectural bodies, local governments, technical and financial partners, alongside public administrations, private enterprises, civil society, academia, experts, and media representatives. This milestone paves the way for the adoption of Côte d’Ivoire’s inaugural national territorial planning reference. The SNAT CI-2045 will equip the government with a national framework to guide sustainable public and private investments,…

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Benin’s historic shift to bicameralism with first senate inauguration

Ousmane Tandja

official Benin’s historic shift to bicameralism with first senate inauguration Benin has officially entered a new chapter in its political landscape with the inauguration of its first Senate. Following the constitutional revision enacted in December 2025, this newly formed chamber of Parliament convened its inaugural session in Porto-Novo. Tasked with constitutionally defined responsibilities, the Senate is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s political trajectory and reviewing critical legislative texts before they are signed into law. Politics Thursday, July 30, 2026 The first term of 25 Senators…

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Richard Bona criticizes corruption in Cameroon’s youth

Ousmane Tandja

Politics Cameroon Richard Bona criticizes corruption in Cameroon’s youth The renowned Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona has ignited a national debate after calling out the country’s youth for their alleged role in perpetuating corruption. According to Afrobarometer data from March, 57% of Cameroonians admit to paying bribes to avoid trouble with law enforcement. Nearly half have bribed officials to obtain identification documents, while 37% did so to access medical care. Bona’s bold statement In a candid interview, Richard Bona, who lives in exile, expressed his dismay at the state of corruption…

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Sahel alliance struggles as rhetoric overshadows tangible progress

Aïcha Abdou

The Alliance of Sahel States: A sovereignty narrative in search of results The military authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have built their political narrative on a decisive break with regional norms and a rejection of former partners. The formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) symbolizes this shift toward redefining alliances and asserting full sovereignty. Three years after the first coups, however, a harsh reality persists: security threats remain unchecked, economies continue to strain under pressure, and public expectations remain largely unmet. In response, the political discourse…

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