Senegal’s constitutional reform bill passes amidst political tensions

Ousmane Tandja

PolitiqueSénégal Senegal’s constitutional reform bill passes amidst political tensions Saikou Seydi 29/06/202629 juin 2026 Senegalese parliamentarians have overwhelmingly approved a constitutional revision bill proposed by the Pastef party, simultaneously rejecting amendments put forward by the government. https://p.dw.com/p/5GGgk The Pastef parliamentary majority successfully passed the constitutional revision law, securing 129 votes in favor of the proposed changes. This significant development in Senegalese politics saw the opposition boycott the parliamentary session, a decision made notably after the expulsion of one of their members, Abdou Mbow, who had refused to vacate the podium.…

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Sahel confederal parliament moves forward amid security doubts

Ousmane Tandja

The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) is advancing the establishment of its institutions. In Ouagadougou, the heads of parliament from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger met with Confederation President Captain Ibrahim Traoré to receive directives ahead of the official inauguration of the confederal parliament. Following the meeting, officials stated that the selection of deputies is expected shortly, paving the way for the first session of this new assembly. The confederal parliament’s primary duties will include representing the populations of the three member states, supporting the work of AES institutions, and…

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Niger security forces arrest newspaper director soumana idrissa maïga in Niamey

Ousmane Tandja

The director of publication of the private daily L’Enquêteur has been taken into custody by security forces in the capital. With no official reasons given, media professionals are anxiously watching. NIAMEY, 29 June 2026 – Concern is mounting within Niger’s media community. Soumana Idrissa Maïga, a familiar face in the local press landscape and the publishing director of L’Enquêteur, was arrested in Niamey by security personnel. The news, confirmed by multiple reliable sources, spread quickly through the capital, reigniting discussions about the practice of journalism in the region. Procedural uncertainty…

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Fifa closes case on Algeria-Austria match manipulation claims

Aïcha Abdou

Fifa has officially decided not to launch an investigation into allegations that the World Cup group stage match between Austria and Algeria was fixed, despite speculation that the result was pre-arranged to benefit both teams. Some observers suggested the two sides agreed to share the points in their final group encounter in order to secure simultaneous qualification for the round of 16. The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, with Austria equalising in the 96th minute, just three minutes after Riyad Mahrez had put Algeria ahead. That goal, which…

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Liverpool targets Bradley Barcola after Yan Diomande chooses PSG

Ousmane Tandja

Diomande opts for Paris Liverpool has abandoned its pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old winger who impressed during the World Cup. The teenager is now expected to join the Ligue 1 champions. Paris Saint-Germain is confident it will finalise a deal with Leipzig quickly. The German club had initially demanded a massive fee, which cooled Liverpool’s interest as they refused to exceed their own internal valuation of the young talent. Liverpool turns to Barcola as main target With Diomande bound for Paris, Liverpool has set its sights on…

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Senegal constitution reform sparks tension between sonko and faye

Aïcha Abdou

The National Assembly of Senegal has ratified a sweeping constitutional amendment in a landmark plenary session held on June 29, 2026. Despite a coordinated boycott by opposition legislators, the bill secured overwhelming support from the 129 ruling Pastef party deputies present in the chamber. Following the vote, the Assembly President, Ousmane Sonko, addressed the nation’s leader, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in a pointed public statement. Sonko’s remarks underscored deepening policy disagreements between the two key figures who once spearheaded the Pastef movement to victory in the March 2024 presidential election. Sonko…

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Mali civilians face double violence from army, russian allies and jihadist economic warfare

Aïcha Abdou

Mali’s conflict has taken a brutal new turn since the military shift of April 25. The national army, alongside Russian instructors from Africa Corps, and jihadist insurgents have all intensified violence. Beyond the immediate casualties, a deliberate economic strangulation campaign is pushing civilians into severe hardship. The spiral of violence after the fall of Kidal Spring 2026 marked a major breaking point. On April 25, a combined action by jihadists of the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (Jnim) and separatists of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) resulted in the…

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Senegal’s Sonko vows unwavering stability amid political turbulence

Ousmane Tandja

In the face of mounting political and media unrest, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has forcefully reaffirmed the nation’s institutional resilience and public order. With his parliamentary majority firmly behind him, he guarantees the parliament will remain the cornerstone of national stability. The Prime Minister’s message is direct and uncompromising. In a bold address to the Senegalese people, Ousmane Sonko dismissed rumors of escalating tensions and speculative crisis scenarios circulating in the public sphere. For the head of government, Senegal’s stability is non-negotiable and immune to disruption, no matter the…

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Thousands of dogon displaced return to their villages in Mali after local agreements

Aïcha Abdou

In Mali, thousands of people who had fled their homes are now returning to their villages in the Bankass area, located in the central part of the country. This return has been made possible by local agreements between village communities and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate. The villagers are allowed to go back to their houses and cultivate their fields, though under conditions imposed by the jihadist groups. These include mandatory wearing of the veil for women and a ban on Western-style education in…

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Ousmane Sonko urges Bassirou Diomaye Faye to sign constitutional revision into law

Aïcha Abdou

National Assembly president Ousmane Sonko has called on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to promulgate the constitutional revision law passed by a qualified majority of deputies on Monday. According to Sonko, the head of state cannot pick and choose which constitutional provisions he accepts, nor can he submit the text to a referendum, since in his interpretation the three-fifths vote of the National Assembly constitutes both adoption and approval. Speaking after the reform was voted through, Sonko reminded that “constituent power” lies with the National Assembly when it is in session.…

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Mali: Human Rights Watch report accuses JNIM, army and rebels of civilian abuses

Aïcha Abdou

Mali: Human Rights Watch report accuses JNIM, army and rebels of civilian abuses On Monday, June 29, 2026, Human Rights Watch released a report accusing JNIM jihadists, Tuareg rebels from the FLA, Mali’s army, and Russia’s Africa Corps of committing serious abuses against civilians since the coordinated attacks in April. The report details that all parties have carried out illegal attacks on civilians, destroying and looting homes and businesses. The fighting, triggered by the joint JNIM and FLA offensive against junta positions on April 25 and 26, left at least…

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