Morocco thwarts major ISIS cell planning deadly attacks across the country

Aïcha Abdou

Just before dawn broke over the quiet coastal town of Aourir, north of Agadir, armored vehicles and elite units rolled through its streets under the cover of darkness. Their mission: neutralize a high-risk target—a radicalized extremist who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS). Acting on precise intelligence from Morocco’s General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), the Special Forces moved swiftly. The suspect was apprehended within seconds of breaching the door. Meanwhile, in Aourir, residents awoke to a heavy security presence, the reality of a thwarted terror plot sinking…

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Chad bans military-style attire for water and forestry agents

Ousmane Tandja

The Chadian Ministry of Environment, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development has issued a strict directive prohibiting water and forestry agents from wearing military-style clothing, insignias, ranks, berets, or any other military-related accessories. This new regulation, signed by the ministry’s Secretary-General, Koularambaye Koundja Julien, follows repeated reports of military personnel transferred to environmental roles and some civilian staff adopting the uniforms and insignia of the Chadian National Army (ANT). Officials emphasize that violating this ban will result in disciplinary action, with senior officials at central and regional levels tasked with enforcing compliance…

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Sahel juntas struggle as JNIM expands grip despite alliance rhetoric

Ousmane Tandja

The Alliance of Sahel States: sovereignty claims crumble under terror pressure Two years after the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) emerged with bold declarations of self-reliance, the reality facing Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger tells a starkly different story. Behind the fiery speeches of juntas in Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey, one armed force continues to dictate the pace of conflict: the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM). Despite theoretical intelligence-sharing agreements and full alignment with Moscow, the AES has failed to counter the coordinated, large-scale offensives of this terrorist…

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Mali secures €166m funding for Bamako 225 kv northern loop power project

Ousmane Tandja

The Malian government has officially approved the final financing stage for the 225 kV North Bamako High Voltage Loop (PBNB) project. With a total investment of €166 million, this initiative is set to become the backbone of electricity supply for the capital and its surrounding areas. The project, highlighted by the African Development Bank, aims to connect 10,000 new households and small businesses while significantly enhancing power quality for over 40 industrial units. Project components and infrastructure The PBNB involves constructing a 103-kilometer double-circuit 225 kV transmission line linking key…

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Morocco gains key role in mediterranean parliamentary assembly

Ousmane Tandja

Diplomacy Morocco joins the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean The North African kingdom has secured a seat on the Assembly’s Bureau and will lead the Artificial Intelligence Commission, underscoring the growing influence of Moroccan parliamentary diplomacy within this Euro-Mediterranean institution. July 6, 2026 at 12:38 PM Updated on July 6, 2026 at 1:01 PM A Moroccan parliamentary delegation took part in the 10th Summit of Parliament Presidents and the 19th plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM), held…

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Gabon pioneers digital sovereignty with a state-of-the-art data center

Ousmane Tandja

Politique Gabon pioneers digital sovereignty with a state-of-the-art data center Libreville – Gabon has achieved a pivotal milestone in its national economic transformation, officially opening its inaugural sovereign national Data Center. This advanced infrastructure represents far more than a mere technological installation; it signals the nation’s decisive entry into a new development phase where control over data is paramount for national sovereignty, robust security, and economic competitiveness. At Nkok, within the Special Economic Zone – now a thriving industrial hub for the country – President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema inaugurated…

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Mali’s northern azawad liberation front launches new offensive

Ousmane Tandja

The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a prominent separatist movement, has initiated a second military offensive this weekend, aiming to seize control of regions in northern and central Mali currently held by government forces. This strategic push follows a recent alliance forged with the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). This renewed offensive comes approximately two months after the FLA first partnered with the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM. Their initial coordinated attacks on April 25 targeted areas across northern, central, and southern Mali, significantly impacting the nation’s stability and generating…

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L’opposition, la rue et l’Eglise pour barrer Tshisekedi

Aïcha Abdou

L’opposition en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) appelle à réclamer, dans la rue, la démission du président Félix Tshisekedi. Elle accuse celui-ci de vouloir modifier la Constitution pour se maintenir au-delà de la limite de deux mandats. Système « Fatshi » L’opposition, qui avait initialement appelé à manifester mercredi notamment dans la capitale Kinsahsa, a repoussé vendredi […] By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent

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High-level french-moroccan talks set for mid-july in Rabat

Ousmane Tandja

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will make his first official trip to Rabat on 15 July, marking a significant step in bilateral relations between Morocco and France. The following day, he will co-chair the Morocco-France High Joint Commission alongside Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. This high-level meeting will focus on deepening cooperation across key sectors such as energy, defense, and economic collaboration. The gathering comes at a pivotal moment, following the recent appointment of Philippe Lalliot as France’s new ambassador to Morocco. It represents the most consequential dialogue between the…

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AES at two years: triumphant claims meet security realities in Mali

Ousmane Tandja

Marking its second anniversary on July 6, 2026, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) heard its current leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, deliver a decidedly assertive address. The Burkinabè head of state presented what he deemed a largely positive assessment and articulated lofty ambitions for the future of the organization, which unites Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Yet, beneath the determined tone of this speech, significant questions persist regarding the confederation’s actual capacity to translate its promises into concrete achievements, a critical aspect for West Africa news and…

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Tottenham signs Italian star in 108 million euro deal

Ousmane Tandja

Tottenham Hotspur has sent shockwaves through the football world by securing the signature of Italian midfield maestro Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United. The Premier League club has finalized a deal worth a staggering €108 million, including performance-related bonuses, making Tonali the most expensive Italian footballer in history. This monumental transfer surpasses the previous record held by Matteo Retegui, who moved to Al-Ittihad for €61.8 million, and underscores Tottenham’s ambition to build a competitive squad under the leadership of manager Roberto De Zerbi. Key details of the Tonali transfer Contract length:…

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Côte d’Ivoire government reinforces ‘zero tolerance’ on female genital mutilation after Bongouanou incident

Ousmane Tandja

In Bongouanou, the Ivorian government has forcefully reiterated its “zero tolerance” stance against female genital mutilation (FGM) following a brutal incident involving five young girls. The Ministry of Women, Family and Children confirmed this unwavering commitment after the violent excisions in the region. The horrific events unfolded during the night of Tuesday, June 30, 2026, within the Dioulakro neighborhood of Kangandi village, situated in the Bongouanou commune. The five victims, ranging in age from three to nine years old, endured what has been described as an act of “extreme violence.”…

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