France-spain 2026: referee debate flares after french elimination

Aïcha Abdou

France’s World Cup dreams vanished in a 0-2 defeat against Spain on Tuesday, ending their campaign in the semi-finals. The Bleus, who had dominated every match leading up to this stage, found themselves outplayed by a cohesive Spanish side that capitalized on their technical superiority. Didier Deschamps, visibly frustrated, acknowledged France’s shortcomings in an interview after the match. “We were technically below par—that’s on us,” he admitted. However, the French manager didn’t stop there. He raised questions about the officiating, questioning whether the referee possessed the necessary level to handle…

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Senegal awaits Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye meeting in Dakar

Aïcha Abdou

The political and diplomatic landscape of Senegal is set to witness a significant moment this Friday, July 17, 2026. Former President Macky Sall has confirmed he will make a brief visit to Dakar to hold a crucial discussion with his successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Diplomatic talks on the agenda In an announcement shared on social media on Tuesday, July 14, Macky Sall outlined the key focus of his upcoming meeting. The primary topic will revolve around his candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. The former head of…

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New french prime minister’s maiden diplomatic tour: qatar then Morocco

Ousmane Tandja

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks on first overseas diplomatic mission Share Share WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Messenger France’s incoming Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has just concluded a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Doha before heading to Rabat, signaling a renewed focus on strengthening Paris’s ties in the Middle East and North Africa. This week marks the first international journey undertaken by Lecornu since assuming office at Matignon ten months ago. His itinerary reflects both a tribute to a regional ally and a strategic move to reinforce bilateral cooperation. A solemn mission to…

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The drc’s ambitious bid to transform strategic minerals into industrial might

Ousmane Tandja

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has solidified its position as an indispensable nexus within the global supply chains for critical minerals. With vast reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium, coltan, and rare earths, the Congolese subsoil holds a significant portion of the raw materials vital for the global energy transition and cutting-edge electronics. For Kinshasa, the pressing question is no longer about the desirability of these resources, but rather how to effectively convert them into sustainable industrial power, thereby avoiding the historical extractivist model that has long denied the nation…

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Cameroon faces risk of losing 292 billion cfa francs in bad funding

Ousmane Tandja

During a joint portfolio review held in Yaoundé on July 14, 2026, the Cameroonian government and the African Development Bank (BAD) uncovered a looming financial crisis. Seven approved operations, totaling 373.419 million units of account—equivalent to roughly 292 billion FCFA—now face cancellation due to administrative bottlenecks rather than a lack of resources. The primary issue stems from internal delays in finalizing agreements and initiating disbursements. These funds are not yet disbursed or subject to repayment; they represent approved loans and grants from the BAD that remain unsigned or dormant despite…

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Congo drc parliament debates 2027-2030 military law

Aïcha Abdou

DRC Parliament begins debate on 2027-2030 military programming law National Assembly Politics Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – 07:52 The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s National Assembly has launched debates on the proposed military programming law for 2027-2030, a strategic financial framework designed to modernize the country’s armed forces. Defense Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita presented the draft legislation to lawmakers on Tuesday, July 14, following his official visit to Egypt. The proposed law aims to establish a stable budget framework for equipping, modernizing, and strengthening the Forces Armées de la République…

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Cameroon’s government intensifies efforts against illicit gold trade

Ousmane Tandja

Cameroon’s government intensifies efforts against illicit gold trade To address the pressing issue of illegal gold activities, a crucial working session took place on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, within the conference hall of the Ministry of Commerce. An important working session, focusing on the restructuring of the gold industry and enhancing gold traceability, was convened this Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Ministry of Commerce’s conference room. The proceedings were led by Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry, the acting Minister of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development. Key administrative figures were in…

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Living as an LGBTQ+ person in Senegal after the law change

Aïcha Abdou

World • Senegal LGBTQ+ lives in Senegal: fear, flight, and the harsh new reality after the law change Rejection, suffocating atmosphere, and the constant fear of arrest—since the penalties for homosexuality were doubled in March, distress calls from LGBTQ+ individuals desperate to leave Senegal have surged. Activist groups have joined forces to respond. Cherif* arrived in France in early June with one absolute certainty: he could no longer remain in Senegal. ‘I was going to be arrested,’ he admits. For weeks after a man he was close to was detained,…

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Mali Algeria thaw deepens with political-military compromise at core

Ousmane Tandja

After over a year of escalating tensions, Mali and Algeria have restored diplomatic relations, surprising many observers. The sudden thaw came after Bamako and Algiers agreed to reopen mutual embassies and airspaces—a deal analysts suggest hinges on prioritizing political solutions over military confrontation. Diplomatic détente after months of accusations and military posturing The announcement follows months of Mali publicly accusing Algeria of complicity with armed groups along their shared border—particularly the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jnim and the FLA separatists. Bamako went so far as to claim Algerian support for these factions, a…

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Gabonese minister calls for climate finance revolution in new york

Ousmane Tandja

Ecouter l’article During the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, the African Union’s Permanent Mission hosted the unveiling of a crucial joint report by the OECD-OIF/IFDD focusing on access to green financing. Addressing an international audience, Louise Pierrette Mvono, Gabon’s Minister of Planning and Foresight, forcefully advocated for her nation, urging a fundamental overhaul of global international aid mechanisms. Gabon, a nation where 88% of its land is covered by forests and recognized historically as a net carbon sink, stands as a vital pillar in global climate regulation. Despite…

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Tchad: L’eau, un enjeu stratégique pour le Tchad et l’Afrique

Aïcha Abdou

Le Tchad accueille le Forum africain de l'eau Le Tchad a accueilli le Forum africain de l'eau, organisé conjointement par le gouvernement tchadien et le Groupe de la Banque mondiale dans le cadre de l'initiative Water Forward. Ce rendez-vous réunit des chefs d’État, des ministres et des dirigeants du secteur privé autour des enjeux de sécurité hydrique et de résilience climatique. Plus de 400 millions de personnes sans accès à l'eau L'événement intervient alors que la Banque mondiale alerte sur l'urgence de la situation en Afrique. Plus de 400 millions…

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Gabon’s youth unemployment puzzle: skills gap meets economic realities

Aïcha Abdou

A striking paradox undermines Gabon’s labor market, as revealed by the National Human Development Report (RNDH 2026): one in three active young people faces unemployment, even as numerous sectors struggle to find the skilled workforce they desperately need. This challenging situation, detailed in the report, stems from three core deficiencies: an educational system disconnected from economic demands, an economy insufficiently diversified, and employment policies that have yet to yield lasting results. While Gabon produces a steady stream of graduates, businesses are actively searching for skilled technicians. Young individuals seek employment…

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