The African Tribune

16Jul

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Politics

Cameroun in crisis: bekolo warns of chaos without biya

PoliticsJean Pierre Bekolo: "We are already experiencing the chaos of a Cameroon without Paul Biya"The renowned filmmaker argues that without President Paul Biya, respect for authority in Cameroon would collapse entirely. His recent op-ed paints a stark picture of a nation drifting toward instability.The Cameroonian filmmaker and intellectual Jean Pierre Bekolo has issued a bold warning about the country's political future. In a recent op-ed, he asserts that the absence of President Paul Biya would plunge Cameroon into a state of irreversible instability. According to Bekolo, the current system's authority is entirely dependent on Biya's presence, and without him, the nation would lose all cohesion.The filmmaker describes Cameroon as already trapped in a "permanent period of contestation,"...

Sonko’s parliamentary seat: Supreme Court declines to rule

16Jul

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

News

Sonko’s parliamentary seat: Supreme Court declines to rule

The Supreme Court’s emergency judge has declined to intervene in the ongoing dispute surrounding Ousmane Sonko’s status as a member of Parliament. In a decisive ruling, the court asserted that the matter falls strictly within the internal jurisdiction of the parliamentary institution, thereby refusing to interfere in what it deemed a procedural issue reserved for the National Assembly itself. The decision comes after the Union nationale des indépendants du Sénégal filed a legal challenge contesting the validity of the procedure that allowed Sonko to reclaim his parliamentary seat before assuming the presidency of the National Assembly. This latest judicial maneuver compounds an already complex legal landscape, following the Constitutional Council’s earlier refusal in June to review a simi...

Gabon’s 2027 budget reform targets measurable outcomes

16Jul

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Politics

Gabon’s 2027 budget reform targets measurable outcomes

Economy Gabon's 2027 budget reform targets measurable outcomes By Editor-in-Chief July 16, 2026 103 No comment Libreville, July 16, 2026 – Gabon is embarking on a groundbreaking fiscal reform that could redefine public administration in Central Africa. As the country begins preparatory discussions for the 2027 budget, officials are not merely finalizing an annua...

OM promotes ivorian tourism with landmark Abidjan tour

16Jul

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

OM promotes ivorian tourism with landmark Abidjan tour

The Olympic de Marseille squad landed at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan-Port Bouët on July 15, greeted by traditional dances, rhythmic drumbeats, and a passionate crowd of supporters. This historic arrival marks the beginning of the OM Summer Tour 2026, a three-day initiative that formalizes the renewed partnership between the French football club and Côte d'Ivoire’s tourism promotion brand. Landmark 5-million-euro annual sponsorship deal The collaboration between Olympique de Marseille and Sublime Côte d'Ivoire was extended for three years in early April, securing the club an annual revenue of approximately €5 million—equivalent to FCFA 3.275 billion. In exchange, the OM commits to showcasing the Ivorian destination to its vast European audience and conducting jo...

Abidjan port expands trade ties with Sahel capitals despite regional shifts

16Jul

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

News

Abidjan port expands trade ties with Sahel capitals despite regional shifts

The Port of Abidjan has cemented its economic partnerships with Ouagadougou, Bamako and Niamey, reaffirming its position as a regional logistics hub even as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in early 2024. Officials confirmed the deepening commercial ties on July 16, prioritizing uninterrupted flow of goods to landlocked Sahelian nations. Record-breaking throughput in 2025 The Autonomous Port of Abidjan reported a 16% year-on-year increase in overall cargo volume in 2025, reflecting sustained demand from Sahelian hinterlands. Despite geopolitical tensions, the port remains the primary gateway for imports destined for landlocked Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. This performance reinforces Abidjan’s lead as West Africa’s busiest francophone port, surpassing Lomé and Cotonou. Po...

Starlink gains approval in Côte d’Ivoire to bridge digital divide

16Jul

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

Tech

Starlink gains approval in Côte d’Ivoire to bridge digital divide

Authorisation has been granted. Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, can now operate in Côte d’Ivoire. The announcement was made on July 16 at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan by Frank R. Garcia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, during an official visit that concluded multiple economic agreements. Expanding rural internet access through satellite technology The service will leverage low-orbit satellite internet to connect remote and underserved areas of the country, as confirmed by the Ivorian Press Agency. The local subsidiary had previously secured a 12-month provisional license from ARTCI, Côte d’Ivoire’s telecommunications regulator. This move comes at a time when fixed internet coverage remains uneven, particularly outside major urban centers like Abid...

Legal action launched over Sonko’s remarks on Touba

16Jul

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

Politics

Legal action launched over Sonko’s remarks on Touba

A fresh legal battle has emerged surrounding Ousmane Sonko's comments about the holy city of Touba, with a formal complaint filed to compel judicial investigation. The move signals escalating tensions over statements that critics argue tarnish Touba’s reputation and the values of its residents. Serigne Modou Maroun Niang, identifying himself as a Senegalese citizen, economic operator, and grandson of the city’s founder, filed the complaint with the Prosecutor at the Dakar High Court on July 14, 2026. In the filing, he asserts that Sonko’s alleged declaration—suggesting that "dirty money" entered Touba—constitutes a severe affront to the city’s sacred image and the dignity of its inhabitants. Touba, founded on principles of faith, integrity, justice, and diligence as taught by Cheikh Ahma...

Ouagadougou urges african union to adopt bold reforms

16Jul

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

Politics

Ouagadougou urges african union to adopt bold reforms

Ouagadougou pushes for African Union to implement decisive reforms The Burkinabè Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, met with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, on July 15 during the latter’s regional tour of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) member countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The high-level discussions centered on strengthening ties between the African Union and Burkina Faso, as well as broader collaboration with the AES bloc. A statement from Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry highlighted key areas of focus, including the country’s political and security landscape, regional dynamics among neighboring nations, and ongoing neg...

France and Morocco deepen strategic ties with new agreements

16Jul

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

France and Morocco deepen strategic ties with new agreements

During an official visit to Rabat, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu underscored the need to elevate France–Morocco relations to a new level. The two nations are poised to sign around fifteen agreements aimed at strengthening their already robust partnership established in 2024. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

Us issues highest travel warning for Sahel countries amid rising terror threats

16Jul

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

News

Us issues highest travel warning for Sahel countries amid rising terror threats

Washington raises alarm: three Sahel nations added to 'do not travel' list The United States Department of State has once again updated its global travel advisory system, placing 23 countries under its most severe warning level—Level 4, designated as “Do Not Travel.” Among these high-risk destinations are three key members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES): Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The move underscores a growing security crisis in the region, where terrorism continues to spread unchecked. Level 4 advisory: what it means for travelers and diplomats The U.S. government’s four-tier warning system serves as a clear signal to American citizens evaluating travel plans. Level 4, the highest classification, carries a stern advisory: avoid all travel to the designated countries. The rati...

France Morocco ties reach new heights with strengthened cooperation

16Jul

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

Culture

France Morocco ties reach new heights with strengthened cooperation

The French and Moroccan governments have officially declared a "renewed trust" in their bilateral relations following a high-level meeting in Rabat between Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch. The visit, marked by an emphasis on strategic partnership, comes as part of a broader diplomatic thaw that began in 2024. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu (left) and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch at a press conference in Rabat on July 16, 2026 Lecornu highlighted the "exceptionally positive" state of Franco-Moroccan ties, which have flourished since French President Emmanuel Macron formally recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in mid-2024—a move that strained relations with Algeria. Macron’s...

Chad eliminates visas for all africans in 2027 boosts continental unity

16Jul

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

News

Chad eliminates visas for all africans in 2027 boosts continental unity

By January 1, 2027, the Republic of Chad will welcome all African travelers without the burden of visa requirements. This landmark decision was unveiled by President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno during the opening ceremony of the African Water Forum in N’Djamena, signaling a bold step toward deeper continental integration. The announcement, made in the presence of regional leaders and global delegates, underscores Chad’s commitment to fostering seamless movement across Africa. It places the country among a select group of African nations—including Benin, Togo, Rwanda, Ghana, Gambia, Seychelles, and the Congo—that have already embraced visa-free policies for all African citizens. Speaking from the podium, President Déby Itno emphasized Chad’s historic role as a crossroads of human connection:...