Month: July 2026

Hidden within the revised finance bill tabled on July 17 lies a bombshell: Gabon’s mining sector tax revenue has plummeted by 97%, collapsing from 53.2 billion CFA francs to just 1.47 billion. This drastic reduction, unique across all taxpayer categories, translates to a staggering loss of 51.8 billion CFA francs—equivalent to nearly 80 million euros—stripped from the 2025 national budget in a single fiscal stroke. Budget overhaul deals heavy blow to Gabon’s mining ambitions Manganese isn’t just another export for Gabon—it’s a cornerstone of the nation’s post-oil economic strategy. Ranking as the world’s second-largest producer, the country extracts this critical mineral primarily in the Haut-Ogooué region through two major operators: Comilog, a subsidiary of French giant Eramet, and Nou...

Partenariat pour soutenir le financement des PMEOrange Bank Africa, une banque 100% digitale basée à Abidjan, a signé deux conventions de partenariat avec la Société de garantie des crédits aux petites et moyennes entreprises (SGPME) pour soutenir le financement des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) en Côte d'Ivoire.Dispositifs pour accompagner les femmes entrepreneursCes deux conventions permettent de mobiliser jusqu'à 17 milliards de FCFA de financements au bénéfique des TPE, PME et ETI ivoiriennes, dont 4 milliards FCFA dédiés à l'entrepreneuriat féminin.Accès au financement pour les femmes'L'accès au financement est une barrière importante pour les entreprises ivoiriennes', a expliqué Audrey Koffi, directrice générale de Orange Bank Africa. 'Nous savons que pour la plupart de ces e...

Cameroon authorities detain self-proclaimed Paul Biya's alleged eldest son In a significant development in Cameroon's legal landscape, security forces have apprehended Georges-Gilbert Baongla, a man who has long claimed to be the eldest son of President Paul Biya. The arrest follows an extensive manhunt that spanned several months, culminating in his detention on charges related to identity fraud, defamation, and cybercrime. From self-proclamation to legal consequences For years, Baongla has publicly presented himself as the heir to the Biya family, leveraging this narrative in various public statements and online platforms. However, authorities allege that his claims were not merely symbolic but involved deliberate acts of impersonation and digital misconduct. The charges underscore th...

Fresh allegations of summary executions and torture targeting Malian soldiers captured in the northern regions have intensified calls for accountability, with the United Nations joining local human rights groups in demanding an independent investigation. As violence escalates across the country—fueled by clashes between the Malian military, Russian-linked forces, and armed groups—the interim government remains conspicuously silent on the mounting accusations of grave human rights violations. Northern Mali witnesses brutal executions: global outrage grows Following intense fighting in northern Mali, disturbing reports and social media footage have emerged, alleging horrific abuses against members of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa). Captured during military convoy ambushes, several dozen sol...

Niger’s democratic pillars under sustained attack since July 2023 Three years after General Abdourahamane Tiani led a military takeover that removed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the country’s political landscape has been reshaped by repression, legal manipulation, and diplomatic isolation. A critical assessment by international observers confirms that the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) has systematically dismantled democratic institutions to consolidate authoritarian control. Arbitrary detentions and a judiciary stripped of independence The continued detention of former President Mohamed Bazoum and his spouse remains one of the most visible signs of the regime’s unyielding stance. Despite repeated international appeals and rulings from UN ...

Le gouvernement marocain a relancé les discussions avec le groupe français Veolia autour du projet stratégique de l'usine de dessalement de Rabat, d'une capacité annuelle de 300 millions de mètres cubes. Soutenu par le président Emmanuel Macron, ce chantier majeur revient au cœur des négociations après plusieurs mois de ralentissement.Le projet prévoit une production de 822 000 mètres cubes d'eau potable par jour, utilisant des énergies renouvelables. Les débats portent principalement sur le tarif de l'eau dessalée, les deux parties cherchant à s'accorder sur un prix cible de 4,5 dirhams par mètre cube.« Après plusieurs mois de pause, Rabat et Paris renouent progressivement le dialogue sur la construction de cette station dans la capitale marocaine. Les négociations n&#...