Morocco advances regionalization plan amid stalled western Sahara talks

Aïcha Abdou

Jassim Ahdani Journalist, Morocco Correspondent Western Sahara Mohammed VI As diplomatic efforts to resolve the Western Sahara dispute stall, Morocco is pressing ahead with its regionalization plan, signaling a strategic shift in its approach to the long-standing conflict. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit confirmed that the government is finalizing a new legal framework aimed at devolving greater autonomy to the southern regions, including areas within the disputed territory. The proposed reforms, expected to be submitted to parliament soon, represent Rabat’s latest bid to reinforce its sovereignty narrative while addressing international calls…

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Ousmane Sonko’s rise in Senegal: Pastef’s show of strength ahead of elections

Aïcha Abdou

Senegal’s political landscape shifts as Ousmane Sonko consolidates Pastef’s dominance In the heart of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, a political storm is brewing—and Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef movement, is at its epicenter. With a series of strategic moves and a growing wave of public support, Sonko is not just preparing for an election; he is laying the groundwork for a potential transformation of Senegal’s political future. At a recent gathering in the National Assembly, the opposition figure made a bold statement that resonated across the nation: this…

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Ousmane sonko’s rise: pastef’s bold strategy for Senegal’s future

Ousmane Tandja

In the heart of Dakar, a political storm is brewing as Ousmane Sonko gears up for a defining moment in his journey at the helm of Pastef. The opposition leader’s upcoming maneuvers promise nothing short of a seismic shift in Senegal’s political landscape, with his supporters framing it as a historic reckoning. Sonko’s strategic play for Pastef’s dominance The Pastef party, under Sonko’s leadership, is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to consolidate power. The movement’s latest maneuvers are being touted as a calculated display of strength, designed to…

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Mali offers rewards to capture top jihadist leaders

Aïcha Abdou

The Malian government has adopted a bold new tactic in its fight against terrorism, unveiling a financial incentive program for citizens who provide critical intelligence leading to the capture or elimination of key leaders from the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM, affiliated with Al-Qaeda) and the Azauad Liberation Front (FLA). The announcement, made via national television in early June 2026, marks a decisive shift in strategy, emphasizing public involvement where conventional military operations have fallen short. Targeted bounties for top-tier armed group commanders This initiative specifically targets…

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Bamako unveils financial incentives for intelligence on Jnim and FLA leadership

Ousmane Tandja

Malian authorities have initiated a significant shift in their counter-terrorism strategy. On June 4, 2026, Bamako publicly revealed, through national television (ORTM), a new financial reward system designed to incentivize individuals to provide intelligence crucial for the apprehension or neutralization of leaders from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim, an Al-Qaeda affiliate) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). This unprecedented public declaration underscores the transitional government’s determination to engage the civilian populace in a conflict that the military has found challenging to overcome single-handedly. Public bounties…

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Burkina Faso’s literary voice: Roukiata Ouedraogo’s journey from Ouagadougou to Paris

Ousmane Tandja

In the first episode of this groundbreaking series, we meet an author on their home soil. Today, it’s Roukiata Ouedraogo—a multi-talented figure blending humor, theatre, and literature. Born in Burkina Faso, she shares her life story from the streets of Ouagadougou to the artistic hubs of Paris, where she now calls home. From Ouagadougou’s streets to Parisian stages « I am a Franco-Burkinabè writer, comedian, and actress. Born in Burkina Faso, I grew up between Fada N’Gourma and Ouagadougou before relocating to France in the early 2000s. My artistic journey…

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Over 300 killed by adf rebels in dr Congo this year

Ousmane Tandja

More than 300 individuals have tragically lost their lives at the hands of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of the year. These brutal killings have been documented across the provinces of Ituri and Nord-Kivu. A recent assault occurred during the night of May 30-31 in Ngadi, a village situated near Beni in Nord-Kivu. This particular attack resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians and one soldier. The ADF rebels have perpetrated numerous violent incidents within the Beni region, claiming the lives…

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Mali unveils bounty program for extremist leaders

Aïcha Abdou

The Malian government has initiated a significant program, announcing substantial financial rewards for anyone who can furnish intelligence leading to the location and capture of individuals implicated in attacks targeting citizens and vital installations throughout the nation. Officials have specified that a colossal two billion CFA francs, roughly equivalent to 3.55 million US dollars, is being offered for information directly resulting in the apprehension of Iyad Ag Gali, the paramount leader of the ‘Nasra al-Islam wal-Muslimin’ group. Other wanted individuals also have considerable, albeit lesser, rewards attached to their capture.…

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Morocco secures €400 million EU funding to boost water security

Aïcha Abdou

Morocco has secured a substantial funding package of 3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams (approximately $402.2 million) to advance its National Water Policy (PNE). The agreement was formalized through a collaborative effort involving the European Union (EU) delegation in Morocco alongside the embassies of Germany, Italy, and France. The initiative, unveiled by the Ministry of Equipment and Water, is designed to bolster the country’s water sector governance by focusing on three critical areas: deepening understanding of water resources, enhancing management strategies for extreme weather events, and strengthening institutional capacities. Additionally, the program…

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Senegalese health advisor resigns from primature cabinet following sonko’s exit

Ousmane Tandja

Senegalese Health Advisor Resigns from Primature Cabinet Following Sonko’s Exit Dr Bacary Thior, a key advisor in Senegal’s Primature, has stepped down following the resignation of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, citing personal principles. Despite his departure, he reaffirms his dedication to public service and continues to support Sonko, leader of the Pastef party. Dr Bacary Thior announced his resignation from the Primature cabinet immediately after Ousmane Sonko concluded his term as Prime Minister. In an official statement released this Thursday, the former Technical Advisor for Health emphasized that his decision…

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Côte d’Ivoire anacardes: poor harvest hits bounkani region

Ousmane Tandja

The cashew harvest season in Côte d’Ivoire is in full swing, with the Cotton and Cashew Council projecting over 1.3 million tonnes this year. While this output remains robust compared to previous seasons, it marks a decline of 200,000 tonnes from last year’s figures. Some regions, however, are facing significant setbacks, particularly in the Bounkani area of the northeast, where erratic rainfall patterns are wreaking havoc on production. From our correspondent in Bouna Kouamé Ouattara’s 3-hectare cashew plantation has yielded almost nothing this season, leaving him idle. “Three years ago,…

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Côte d’Ivoire’s anacarde harvest falls short in bounkani region

Ousmane Tandja

The anacarde harvest season is in full swing across Côte d’Ivoire, with the Cotton and Anacarde Council forecasting over 1.3 million tonnes this year. While this represents a steady output compared to previous years, the figure is expected to drop by 200,000 tonnes from the 2025 harvest. Not all regions are facing the same challenges, however. In the northeastern zone of Bounkani, farmers are grappling with a particularly poor yield, a direct consequence of erratic rainfall patterns. Returning from Bouna in the Bounkani region, I spoke with local farmers whose…

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