Month: July 2026

The 69th summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Freetown, Sierra Leone, at a pivotal moment for the regional bloc. As leaders gathered, one glaring absence dominated discussions: the three nations that have distanced themselves from the alliance—the Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—now consolidated under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This gathering marks yet another meeting where these critical stakeholders are notably absent, underscoring the deepening fractures within the organization. A fractured bloc: ECOWAS grapples with post-AES realities Beyond symbolic gestures, West African leaders face a pressing question: how to redefine ECOWAS in the wake of Mali, Burkina Faso, and...

In a surprising turn of events, Waly Diouf Bodian, a prominent figure within Pastef and a staunch supporter of Ousmane Sonko, has been removed from his position as Director of the Autonomous Port of Dakar by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This dismissal comes at a politically charged moment, as a long-forgotten Facebook prophecy about former President Macky Sall resurfaces with unsettling irony. In 2022, Bodian made a bold declaration on Facebook, predicting that by April 2024, former President Macky Sall would no longer set foot in the Presidential Palace unless invited by Ousmane Sonko. Yet history unfolded in a starkly different manner. When Sall returned to Senegal in mid-2024, Sonko was not in power to issue any such invitation. The irony deepened further when Bodian himself was ...

Benin Benin customs seizes over 5 500 smuggled phones at Hillacondji border A major crackdown on cross-border fraud has just been achieved by Benin’s customs authorities. On Sunday, July 12, 2026, a sweeping operation at the southwestern border of Benin led to the interception of a substantial shipment of phones being illegally introduced into the country. Customs officers from the Hillacondji Brigade, under the leadership of Captain Fortuné Allagbé, successfully intercepted the shipment before it could be distributed through illicit channels. In total, 5,574 smuggled Android smartphones were seized. Strengthening border security and economic integrity This record seizure is part of a broader anti-fraud strategy implemented by the Director General of Customs, Colonel Raouf Malèhosso...

controversy brews over Diomaye Faye and Macky Sall meeting in Senegal The upcoming meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall has ignited fierce backlash from families of victims of political repression during Sall’s tenure. These families, still awaiting justice and reparations, view the encounter as untimely and deeply unjust. Why is this meeting drawing such strong reactions? What impact could it have on Senegal’s political landscape? Analyst Assane Samb weighs in on the significance of this encounter in the current context. Analyst Assane Samb on the meeting’s implications Assane Samb explains that while some voices are protesting, the meeting itself was inevitable...

Macky Sall's Unannounced Visit To Dakar Senegal President Macky Sall paid a surprise visit to Dakar on Friday, leaving many wondering about the timing and purpose of his trip. The Unexpected Audience The visit was marked by a low-key atmosphere, with few people expecting the president's arrival in the city. However, Sall's visit has sparked interest among locals and international observers alike. Profile Senegal President Macky Sall is a well-known figure in West Africa, having served as head of state since 2012. Prior to his presidency, he worked as an economist and politician. By Fati Seyni — Analyst