Tensions behind closed doors in RDC as Tshisekedi and Lourenço clash

Aïcha Abdou

The diplomatic corridors of Luanda buzzed with tension on January 8, 2026, as leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola engaged in high-stakes negotiations. Behind the closed doors of the presidential palace, President Félix Tshisekedi and his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, faced a pivotal moment in their nations’ relationship, driven by clashing agendas. what’s driving the rift between Kinshasa and luanda? The friction stems from a combination of regional security concerns and economic ambitions. Angola, eager to secure its borders and counter insurgent threats, has pushed for…

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Bénin overhauls education system with new national curriculum framework

Ousmane Tandja

Cotonou hosts landmark education reform summit to reshape learning nationwide Cotonou is this week taking center stage in Benin’s most ambitious educational transformation yet. From June 22–26, 2026, the Azalaï Hotel is hosting a high-level workshop to design the country’s first-ever National Curriculum Framework. Spearheaded by Education Minister Armand Kuyema Natta, this initiative aims to create a unified, modern learning system that aligns perfectly with Benin’s social and economic realities—preparing tomorrow’s citizens for success. A historic convergence of leaders for education The workshop’s official launch on June 22 drew an…

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Folarin Balogun’s potential summer exit sparks Premier League transfer frenzy

Aïcha Abdou

Folarin Balogun, the rising star of the US men’s national team, is poised for a high-profile move this summer, with multiple Premier League clubs circling the 24-year-old striker. His future at Monaco has become uncertain, as contract talks with the Ligue 1 side have stalled, prompting the club to set a firm asking price for the American talent. Balogun, who honed his skills at Arsenal before a breakthrough loan spell at Reims, has established himself as a reliable goal threat at Monaco since arriving in 2023. With 31 goals in…

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Niger’s security crisis persists despite Russian military partnership

Aïcha Abdou

Military cooperation with Russia fails to curb escalating jihadist threat Three years after the July 2023 coup d’état that prompted a strategic military alignment with Russia, Niger continues to grapple with a worsening jihadist insurgency. Despite the government’s stated objective of restoring peace and stability through this partnership, coordinated attacks on military positions have intensified, resulting in significant losses for the Nigerien armed forces. Security reports indicate that at least 265 Nigerien soldiers were killed in a series of coordinated assaults on multiple bases within a three-day period. These attacks…

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Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo reaches critical levels

Ousmane Tandja

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reported a total of 1,003 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 254 deaths—a mortality rate of 25.3%. The figures, released by the National Institute of Public Health (Institut National de Santé Publique, INSP), reflect a sharp increase in detected cases since the outbreak’s early stages. The vast majority of infections and fatalities have been concentrated in Ituri province, where 91.3% of cases and 80.7% of deaths have occurred. This remote region in northeastern DRC has long struggled with armed group violence,…

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Togo advances sustainable aviation fuel with new energy partnerships

Ousmane Tandja

Lomé is taking bold steps toward a greener aviation sector with two landmark agreements designed to accelerate the country’s energy transition in air travel. The deals, inked between the Lomé-Tokoin Airport Authority (SALT) and T-OIL, a state-owned energy enterprise, aim to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and expand critical fuel storage capacity at the Lomé International Airport. The partnerships include the phased adoption of SAF—a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuel—and the construction of a new 1,500-cubic-meter Jet A1 storage tank on the airport grounds. These moves align with global…

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Mauritania seeks Gabon’s backing for OIF leadership bid

Ousmane Tandja

High-level diplomatic exchanges between Gabon and Mauritania have reached a new milestone, underscoring the strength of their bilateral ties. During a recent audience in Libreville, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema welcomed Messouda Bahama Mohamed Laghdaf, a special envoy dispatched by Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. The Mauritanian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development carried a formal message from her head of state, reaffirming Nouakchott’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Gabon. This partnership, built on mutual respect and shared values, has long fostered constructive dialogue on regional priorities.…

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Sonko denies ultimatum to Senegal’s president amid constitutional reform debate

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal’s National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko has firmly rejected claims suggesting that lawmakers issued an ultimatum to the country’s President. Speaking during a plenary session focused on labor and social security reforms, Sonko addressed mounting political speculation surrounding the constitutional revision process, calling the allegations baseless and misleading. Addressing lawmakers during deliberations on critical legislative texts, Sonko clarified the Assembly’s role in the constitutional review process. He emphasized that the Parliament’s actions remain within the bounds of constitutional authority, with no intention of pressuring the executive branch. « This is…

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Gabon’s political landscape needs urgent revival of public debate

Ousmane Tandja

The Gabonese political scene has long thrived on spirited exchanges, a hallmark of its democratic vitality since the multiparty system emerged from the March-April 1990 National Conference. Political parties have consistently made their voices heard through bold stances, targeted criticisms, and measured support for government actions when circumstances demanded it. Yet, recent months have seen a worrying decline in public discourse. A suffocating silence has descended over the political arena, leaving only sporadic interventions from the Rassemblement pour la patrie et la modernité (RPM) led by Barro Chambrier, the Parti…

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Tshisekedi and Burundi’s Ndayishimiye tackle regional security and health threats

Ousmane Tandja

On Monday, June 22, 2026, at the African Union City in Kinshasa, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, welcomed Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi and current Chair of the African Union, for a state visit. The two leaders engaged in a private discussion followed by an expanded bilateral meeting, focusing on deepening cooperation across shared priorities. During these discussions, the Presidents addressed pressing regional security concerns, particularly the ongoing instability in eastern DR Congo, where Burundi has been actively supporting FARDC forces in countering Rwandan…

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Mauritania seeks Gabon’s backing for OIF leadership role

Ousmane Tandja

The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Messouda Bahama Mohamed Laghdaf, carrying an official message from President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, was received by Gabon’s transitional leader, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, on June 22 to formally present Mauritania’s bid for the Secretary-General position at the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). During the meeting, Dr. Koumba Ba, leading Mauritania’s candidacy, outlined a strategic vision built on three core pillars: coherence, balance, and tangible utility for member states. The discussions underscored the strong diplomatic…

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Tension in Senegal’s leadership after key political shift

Ousmane Tandja

Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko’s alliance lasted barely two years. The President of Senegal has now removed his former Prime Minister from office, marking a decisive break in their partnership. Sonko, who now presides over the National Assembly, remains the influential leader of the Pastef party—dominant in Parliament but excluded from the government. How did this political fracture occur, and what does it mean for the future of governance in Dakar? Could this escalating tension overshadow the pressing needs of the Senegalese people? Key voices in the debate Abdoulaye…

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