Malian refugees in Mauritania: a delicate balance between hope for return and fear of further displacement

Ousmane Tandja

“If the Russian mercenaries depart, we will return home.” This sentiment, shared by Mosso*, a Malian refugee in Mauritania, encapsulates the fragile hope for repatriation following significant attacks in late April against the Malian army and its Russian allies from Africa Corps. These coordinated assaults, executed by the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) separatists and jihadists from the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (Jnim, affiliated with Al-Qaeda), dealt an unprecedented blow to Mali’s ruling junta, in power since a 2020 coup, even claiming the life of…

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Abidjan hosts a dynamic mobile technology exhibition

Ousmane Tandja

The third annual mobile phone and application exhibition has successfully opened its doors in Abidjan, underscoring Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic drive to forge a robust digital mobile sector, integrating both national and international industry players. This significant event brings together equipment manufacturers, application developers, telecommunication operators, and institutional representatives within a nation where smartphones have become the primary gateway to internet access. The 2024 edition builds upon the foundations laid by its two predecessors, which initiated crucial dialogues between the industry and public authorities. Strategically, this gathering occurs as the Ivorian…

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The sister of chadian opposition figure succès masra raises alarm over his deteriorating health

Ousmane Tandja

The situation surrounding Succès Masra has now entered its second year, drawing significant attention from Western diplomatic missions monitoring Chad’s transitional government. Arrested a year ago in N’Djamena, the former Prime Minister and leader of Les Transformateurs party is currently serving a twenty-year prison sentence. His sister, Chancelle Masra, residing in France, has publicly voiced her profound concerns, describing his detention conditions as unsuitable given her brother’s declining health. This urgent appeal emerges amidst a tense political atmosphere, marked by the ongoing consolidation of power by Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.…

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Marseille vs rennes: where to watch, teams and odds ahead of the clash

Ousmane Tandja

The final matchday of Ligue 1’s 2025/26 season is set to deliver high-stakes drama as Olympique de Marseille host Stade Rennais at the Stade Orange Vélodrome this Sunday. With Europe’s qualifying spots hanging in the balance, this showdown promises intensity, tactical battles, and a fight for pride between two teams with contrasting ambitions. While the Stade Rennais team aims to secure a top-four finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification, Marseille faces a must-win scenario to avoid slipping behind AS Monaco in the race for a European spot. The stakes…

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Tchad denies un accusations over civilian casualties in Boko Haram strikes

Ousmane Tandja

Tchad denies UN accusations over civilian casualties in Boko Haram strikes Breaking news. The Chadian government strongly refuted on Thursday allegations from the United Nations regarding civilian deaths during military operations against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. While N’Djamena firmly rejects these claims, it has expressed readiness to launch investigations into the incidents. N’Djamena stands by its armed forces The Chadian government’s spokesperson, Gassim Chérif Mahamat, condemned on Thursday accusations that he claimed could undermine the credibility of the country’s military. He emphasized that the Chadian armed forces…

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Laurent Gbagbo remains PPA-CI leader amid Ivorian political shifts

Aïcha Abdou

Laurent Gbagbo has been reaffirmed as president of the Parti des peuples africains-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) in a decisive congress held in Abidjan, marking a new chapter for the party he founded in 2021. At 81, the former Ivorian head of state secured another term, despite ongoing legal restrictions that have kept him from electoral participation. The gathering, the first of its kind since the party’s inception, unfolded against a backdrop of shrinking influence for radical opposition groups in Côte d’Ivoire. Rebuilding political relevance amid electoral setbacks The PPA-CI’s decision to…

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Chad denies un accusations over civilian deaths in Boko Haram strikes

Ousmane Tandja

The Chadian government has firmly rejected accusations by the United Nations that civilian casualties occurred during airstrikes against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. During a press briefing held this Thursday, May 14, officials demanded concrete evidence and offered to host an independent investigation team. The UN had previously stated that airstrikes attributed to Nigeria and the Chadian Armed Forces resulted in nearly a hundred civilian deaths in northeastern Nigeria and Chad, some of which occurred during operations targeting Boko Haram. The international body called for an immediate inquiry…

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Women in Senegal face rising gendered disinformation online

Aïcha Abdou

In Senegal, a silent epidemic is spreading across digital spaces, disproportionately targeting women. New research reveals that over 60% of Senegalese women have fallen victim to gendered disinformation campaigns designed to undermine their credibility by attacking their bodies, sexuality, and private lives rather than their ideas or professional work. This disturbing trend, highlighted in a recent study, shows that while men are often subjected to false information about political or economic matters, women—especially those in public roles—face a different kind of smear campaign. These attacks focus on their morality, personal…

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Senegal considers arbitration against BP and Woodside over oil contracts

Aïcha Abdou

Dakar takes bold stance on petroleum contracts with major firms Senegal is preparing to escalate its negotiations with global oil giants BP and Woodside, with officials now considering arbitration proceedings as a potential recourse. This decisive move was announced by Khadim Bamba Diagne, Permanent Secretary of the Strategic Orientation Committee for Petroleum and Gas, during a high-profile economic forum in Abidjan. The government in Dakar has made it clear that no option is off the table when it comes to protecting its national interests. Khadim Bamba Diagne emphasized that the…

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Tchad halts operations of Chinese oil firm over environmental violations

Aïcha Abdou

Tchad halts operations of Chinese oil firm over environmental violations The Government of Tchad suspended activities of a major Chinese state-owned oil company in mid-August after environmental violations were detected. This decision triggered a comprehensive audit of all petroleum firms operating in the country. Politics The Government of Tchad has taken decisive action against environmental breaches by suspending operations of a prominent Chinese state-owned oil enterprise in mid-August. The move followed the discovery of significant violations of national environmental regulations. In response, the Ministry of Petroleum immediately announced a sweeping…

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Strengthening cultural ties between Chad and China through language contests

Ousmane Tandja

Chad Strengthening cultural ties between Chad and China through language contests The national finals of the Chinese language competition in Chad highlight a growing cultural and academic partnership between the two nations, celebrating six years of collaboration through the Confucius Institute. — 3 min read Share The national finals of the Bridge to Chinese competition, co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Chad and the Confucius Institute at the University of N’Djamena, marked a milestone in cultural diplomacy. Held at the Mother-Child Humanities University in N’Djamena, the event drew students eager…

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Algeria-Chad forge infrastructure partnership with new deal

Ousmane Tandja

Algeria and Chad have inked a landmark agreement in N’Djamena to fast-track infrastructure projects, focusing on public works and foundational development. This deal is part of a broader push to deepen bilateral ties and expedite the implementation of agreements finalized in April, as confirmed by the Algerian Ministry of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure. Trans-Saharan highway project studies kick off in Chad The agreement was formalized by Algeria’s Minister of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure, Abdelkader Djellaoui, and Chad’s Minister of Infrastructure, Road Unlocking, and Maintenance, Amir Idriss Kourda, during…

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