Diplomatic thaw between Niger and ECOWAS: what next?

Ousmane Tandja

Three years after the coup in Niamey, relations remain strained Since the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, the military leadership in Niger has maintained a tense relationship with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional bloc condemned the coup and imposed sanctions, threatening military intervention if the deposed leader was not reinstated. This ultimatum was interpreted as a declaration of war by neighboring military-led governments in Mali and Burkina Faso, further isolating Niger within ECOWAS. The three nations later formed the Alliance of Sahel…

Read More

Nigeria reaffirms support for Western Sahara amid Morocco’s gas pipeline ambitions

Ousmane Tandja

In a bold diplomatic move, Nigeria has once again publicly endorsed the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, reinforcing its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). This decision goes beyond mere diplomatic courtesy, signaling a clear stance against Morocco’s attempts to close the Western Sahara dossier permanently. The recent visit of Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, special envoy of Sahrawi President Brahim Ghali, to Nigeria’s capital Abuja underscored the depth of relations between the two nations. High-level discussions with Nigerian authorities not only reaffirmed their shared commitment to cooperation…

Read More

Gabon and IMF forge path for 2026 financial cooperation plan

Aïcha Abdou

Libreville is at the heart of a pivotal economic moment as Gabon and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advance toward a landmark financial cooperation agreement. On July 23, Vice President of the Government Hermann Immongault met with IMF representative Régis Olivier N’Sondé to lay the groundwork for a new program set to be finalized by December 2026. Central to this initiative is Gabon’s National Development Plan for the Transition (PNCD), which will serve as the blueprint for reforms aimed at securing budgetary and technical support. PNCD: The backbone of Gabon’s…

Read More

Cameroun: how the departure of the Hilli Episeyo threatens economic growth

Ousmane Tandja

The clock is ticking for Cameroon’s economy. The Hilli Episeyo, a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel anchored off the coast of Kribi since 2018, is set to leave national waters in July 2026, marking the end of its contract with the national oil company, Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH). This departure has been flagged by the National Economic and Financial Committee (CNEF) as a pivotal factor in the expected economic slowdown, alongside geopolitical tensions and declining export sectors. In its first-quarter 2026 economic outlook, the CNEF projects Cameroon’s GDP…

Read More

Gabon detains ex-PM Bilie By Nze over 2008 financial dispute

Ousmane Tandja

POLITIQUE Gabon detains ex-PM Bilie By Nze over 2008 financial dispute Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, Gabon’s former Prime Minister and leading opposition figure, has spent over 100 days in detention since his April 15 arrest. His legal team asserts that the charges stem from a 17-year-old financial dispute, calling the proceedings irregular. Justice Friday, July 24, 2026 Lawyers for Alain Claude Bilie By Nze claim their client remains incarcerated after more than three months due to a long-standing private dispute. In an official statement, they argue that a 2008…

Read More

EU-Togo partnership thrives under outgoing ambassador’s watch

Aïcha Abdou

As his diplomatic mission in Togo draws to a close, European Union Ambassador Gwilym Ceri Jones received a farewell audience with President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on a partnership that has flourished in scope and impact. The outgoing diplomat highlighted how the collaboration between Brussels and Lomé has expanded significantly during his tenure, now encompassing sustainable development, infrastructure, energy, governance, education, and security initiatives. His visit served as both a review of achievements and a forward-looking discussion with the Togolese head of state. Investment…

Read More

Cameroon president’s prolonged absence fuels power vacuum debate

Aïcha Abdou

Cameroon’s Head of State, President Paul Biya, has led the country since 1982 and remains the world’s oldest serving leader at 93 years old. As of this past Saturday, he had been away from Cameroonian soil for 48 consecutive days, departing on June 7 for what official statements described as a brief private stay in Europe, accompanied by his wife, Chantal Biya. Rumors surrounding the President’s health have persisted for years, particularly due to his frequent visits to Geneva, though government officials have repeatedly dismissed these claims. On June 18,…

Read More

Niamey hosts 2026 nigerien diaspora forum

Aïcha Abdou

On July 28 and 29, 2026, Niamey will become the focal point for Nigeriens abroad during the second edition of the Nigerien Diaspora Forum. Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, this event aims to position the diaspora as a key player in the nation’s economic and social progress. Under the patronage of the President of the Republic, General Abdourahamane Tiani, the forum aligns with the government’s broader Refoundation agenda, which seeks to reshape Niger’s development trajectory through inclusive and sustainable strategies. empowering the diaspora for…

Read More

Adama Bictogo’s inclusive political tour ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s independence day in Yopougon

Aïcha Abdou

Yopougon is gearing up to host a historic celebration this year. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Adama Bictogo, Deputy Mayor of Yopougon, will embark on an extensive political tour across the commune. This initiative is part of the preparations for the 66th anniversary of Côte d’Ivoire’s independence, set to take place on August 7 in this bustling district of Abidjan. The tour aims to engage militants from four major political parties represented in Yopougon. According to a press release from the Deputy Mayor’s office, Bictogo will meet with members of…

Read More

Government reshuffle at the Primature after Ousmane Sonko’s departure

Aïcha Abdou

The new administration under Prime Minister Al Aminou Lô has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of state services, with key transfers of authority and cabinet enhancements outlined in decree n° 2025-1431. Administrative overhaul following leadership transition Since Ousmane Sonko’s departure from the Primature on May 22, 2026, the organization of services under the head of government has undergone a significant transformation. His successor, Al Aminou Lô, inherited an administration reshaped by decree n° 2025-1431, which reallocates state services, public establishments, national companies, and state-owned enterprises among the Presidency, the Primature, and…

Read More

Senegal’s prime ministership shifts under Al Aminou Lô’s leadership

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal’s governmental landscape has undergone a fresh transformation following a reshuffle at the helm of the Prime Minister’s office in mid-2026. The transition marked the end of Ousmane Sonko’s tenure as Prime Minister, which began in late 2025, and the ascension of Al Aminou Lô to the position. This shift has triggered a strategic realignment of key state institutions and services. The restructuring aligns with decree n°2025-1431, which outlines the distribution of state services and oversight of public establishments, national companies, and government-invested firms among the Presidency, Prime Minister’s office,…

Read More

Mali jihadist takeover forces villagers to flee Kouakourou

Aïcha Abdou

Mali jihadist takeover forces villagers to flee Kouakourou Field Report On July 18, 2026, jihadist forces from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim) launched a devastating assault on the military camp in Kouakourou, Mali. The attack marked a significant escalation in the conflict, culminating in the destruction of a military helicopter the following day. Civilians attempting to blend in with fleeing soldiers were reportedly captured, while residents were given a stark ultimatum: abandon their homes or face the consequences. Retreating forces face repeated ambushes In the…

Read More