Panafrica News

cotonou – benin holds its breath, but calmly. since 7:00 am this morning, beninese voters have been heading to the polls for the first round of the 2026 presidential election. a crucial vote that marks the end of the patrice talon era and shapes the future of benin. the country presents an image of serenity on this sunday, april 12, 2026. across the national territory, the 17,764 polling stations opened their doors at dawn to welcome citizens. orderly queues formed outside voting centers in cotonou, porto-novo, parakou, and even in…

Morocco and Mauritania strengthen security ties amid rising Sahel instability Rabat and Nouakchott deepen military collaboration focusing on border security, terrorism and organized crime as regional tensions escalate Introduction to Morocco-Mauritania security cooperation Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid’s visit to Nouakchott Morocco-Mauritania Joint Military Commission Institutional ceremony and political recognition Key topics discussed in bilateral meeting Military training and joint exercises Regional context and strategic priorities Introduction to Morocco-Mauritania security cooperation Enhanced security and defense collaboration between Morocco and Mauritania addresses deteriorating regional conditions marked by rising insecurity in the Sahel…

Officer’s body remains adrift on riverboat more than 24 hours after incident. Niamey, April 9, 2026 Captain Maman Ada Sahabi, commander of the Say gendarmerie group, was killed in an ambush by Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) elements on the Niger River on Wednesday, April 8, late in the afternoon, along with at least two of his men. More than twenty-four hours after the attack, the boat carrying the senior officer’s body continues to drift, with authorities unable to organize its retrieval. According to local security sources, Captain Sahabi was…

After a series of military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the new governing bodies in these Sahel nations are forging closer ties with Russia while distancing themselves from Western allies. This shift is part of a broader strategic realignment that is reshaping the geopolitical landscape of West Africa. Moscow has rapidly expanded its footprint in the Sahel through military partnerships, arms transfers, and the deployment of private military contractors. This growing Russian influence poses a significant challenge to U.S. objectives in the region, particularly its long-standing efforts to…

A high-level military delegation from Morocco, led by General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and Commander of the Southern Zone, conducted a working visit to Mauritania this week. On Tuesday in Nouakchott, General Berrid was received by Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghezouani. The meeting took place in the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to Mauritania, Hamid Chabar, as confirmed by an official statement from the Royal Armed Forces General Staff. Later the same day, the Moroccan general visited the Mauritanian Ministry of Defense, where…

Led by General Mohammed Berrid, the Inspector General of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, a high-level military delegation concluded a productive working visit to Mauritania. The delegation’s agenda included meetings with senior Mauritanian officials and strategic discussions aimed at deepening bilateral defense cooperation. Key engagements and exchanges On the first day, General Berrid was received by Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghezouani in Nouakchott. The meeting took place in the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to Mauritania, Hamid Chabar, as confirmed by a statement from…

The drama surrounding the CAN 2025 final continues to unfold. Just two months after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) controversially awarded the title to Morocco after the match, Senegal has taken legal action at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Now, an influential member of the appeal jury has come forward with explosive claims that cast further doubt on the legitimacy of the decision. In an exclusive interview, Faustino Varela Monteiro, vice-president of the appeal commission, declared his strong opposition to the ruling. «I fundamentally disagree with this…