Ivory Coast extends cooperation to Mali and Burkina Faso amidst escalating terror threat

Aïcha Abdou

In the face of intensifying terrorist assaults across the Sahel region, Abidjan has unequivocally reaffirmed the critical need for a unified front. Given the pressing security imperative, Captain Ibrahim Traoré is urged to prioritize pragmatism and foster collaboration with the Ivorian state to effectively contain a menace that transcends national borders. Across West Africa, the moment has passed for diplomatic disagreements and ideological posturing; the paramount concern is now collective survival. As armed terrorist groups continue their relentless advance, inflicting profound sorrow upon the Sahel and imperiling coastal nations, Ivory…

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High-level talks advance France-Côte d’Ivoire strategic partnership

Ousmane Tandja

Téné Birahima Ouattara et Sébastien Lecornu Politique Téné Birahima Ouattara et Sébastien Lecornu France–Côte d’Ivoire : Téné Birahima Ouattara et Sébastien Lecornu ouvrent une nouvelle page du partenariat stratégique On the fringes of the Eurosatory 2026 international defense exhibition held in France, Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, engaged in a high-level audience this Wednesday, June 17, 2026. He was hosted by his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, identified as the Prime Minister of the French Republic. This significant interaction signals a fresh chapter in strengthening…

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Gabon asserts full control over its marine fishing resources

Aïcha Abdou

Economie Gabon asserts full control over its marine fishing resources Libreville, Wednesday, June 17, 2026 – With the sustainable fishing partnership agreement between Gabon and the European Union nearing its expiration, Libreville has enacted a significant political and economic decision. Gabonese authorities are initiating a fresh chapter in the stewardship of their marine resources. They have opted against renewing an arrangement deemed “profoundly imbalanced” with the European Union. This move underscores a broader national ambition, extending beyond the fishing sector, to regain mastery over the economic value generated by Gabon’s…

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High-level ECOWAS talks in Cotonou address judicial enforcement challenges

Ousmane Tandja

The Béninese economic hub, Cotonou, is the venue for the second gathering of the ECOWAS Court of Justice’s National Competent Authorities (NCAs) from June 17 to 19, 2026. This pivotal event seeks to overcome the persistent hurdle of unimplemented community court rulings, a significant issue in African politics. How can we ensure that the pronouncements from the ECOWAS Court of Justice transcend mere declarations on paper? This formidable challenge is at the forefront for legal experts, parliamentarians, and representatives from member states who have converged in Cotonou since Wednesday. Over…

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Global affirmation of Morocco’s Sahara sovereignty at un human rights council

Ousmane Tandja

A significant declaration, delivered by Omar Zniber, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, underscored the enduring political nature of the Sahara issue. Speaking on behalf of the supporting nations, Ambassador Zniber reiterated that this matter remains firmly within the political framework established by the United Nations and overseen by the Security Council. The statement emphasized that the autonomy initiative put forth by Morocco represents a credible and pragmatic foundation for achieving a lasting political resolution to the ongoing conflict. It also reaffirmed strong backing for the implementation of…

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Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana forge a sustainable future for west africa’s cocoa industry

Ousmane Tandja

Afrique Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana forge a sustainable future for West Africa’s cocoa industry The presidents of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana reiterate their commitment to building a sustainable cocoa economy, confronting global and climatic challenges. — 2 min de lecture Partager On June 16, 2026, during the high-level summit for the “Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative,” Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and his Ghanaian counterpart, John Dramani Mahama, unequivocally reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering a sustainable cocoa economy. This crucial meeting underscores the importance of a resilient African economy today. President…

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A significant political shift: ibrahima diam sow departs pastef for diomaye-président

Aïcha Abdou

a significant political shift: ibrahima diam sow departs pastef for diomaye-président The political landscape in Podor has recently witnessed a significant shift with the departure of Ibrahima Diam Sow from Pastef. The former party coordinator, now aligning with the Diomaye-Président coalition, openly states his renewed conviction that “the homeland takes precedence over the party.” This marks a notable development in West Africa news. A prominent local figure in the Podor department, Ibrahima Diam Sow, has officially announced his dissociation from the Pastef political party, led by Ousmane Sonko. Sow, who…

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Benin’s decisive action against skin lightening products for public health

Ousmane Tandja

The government of Bénin has initiated a direct offensive against the market for skin-lightening products. Effective May 5th, numerous creams, lotions, and other substances designed to lighten skin tone are officially prohibited from sale across the entire national territory. This robust measure targets a pervasive practice whose health consequences are increasingly alarming authorities. Halting the ‘tchatcho’ phenomenon In Bénin, the use of skin-lightening products, locally known as ‘tchatcho’, affects a significant portion of the population, irrespective of social standing. These items were previously readily available, from the bustling stalls of…

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Benin border security: 24 migrants intercepted in Kassouala amidst trafficking probe

Ousmane Tandja

Vigilance at the borders has yielded significant results in northeastern Benin. On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, police officers stationed at the Okpara bridge, within the Kassouala district, successfully halted a group of 24 individuals, including a young Beninese national now under suspicion of orchestrating their passage. The operation unfolded early in the morning, around 8:30 a.m., during a routine checkpoint inspection. Law enforcement personnel identified the 23 travelers as Nigerian nationals, all belonging to the Hausa ethnic group. The group was observed heading towards Burkina Faso, a common route in…

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Gabon imposes temporary fish export ban to bolster domestic supply

Ousmane Tandja

The Gabonese government has taken a firm stance to safeguard the national supply of fish products. Effective March 26, 2026, the temporary export of sardine (Ethmalosa fimbriata) and the fish commonly known as “sans nom” (Heterotis niloticus) is prohibited across the entire territory. This crucial decision, formalized through two decrees from the Ministry of Sea, Fishing, and Blue Economy and published in the Official Journal on April 16, 2026, directly addresses a growing scarcity observed in local markets. While these vital species continue to find their way to neighboring countries,…

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West african leaders bolster commitment to sustainable cocoa future

Ousmane Tandja

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Économie Agriculture : La Côte d’Ivoire et le Ghana réaffirment leur engagement pour un cacao durable Le 17/06/26 à 08:28 modifié 17/06/26 à 08:43 Presidents Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and John Dramani Mahama of Ghana recently co-chaired a pivotal high-level summit in Abidjan-Plateau, focusing on the “Côte d’Ivoire / Ghana Cocoa Initiative.” This significant gathering provided a crucial platform for both Heads of State to implement “structuring decisions aimed at fostering a more equitable, robust, and sustainable cocoa economy.” The overarching goal is to benefit…

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Bénin and Niger advance discussions for border reopening

Ousmane Tandja

The shared border between Bénin and Niger is poised for a potential reopening in the near future, following a hiatus of over two years. Reports from both Cotonou and Niamey indicate that authorities from the two West African nations have initiated technical discussions aimed at restoring the flow of goods and people along this critical artery. This strategic route connects the port of Cotonou to the landlocked regions of the central Sahel. The prospect of renewed access emerges amidst a shifting regional diplomatic landscape, notably Niger’s withdrawal from the Economic…

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