Month: July 2026

The recent remarks made by Ousmane Sonko during his visit to Touba have sparked a wave of reactions across Senegal’s political landscape. Minister of Terrestrial and Air Transport, Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye, has strongly rebutted the assertions linking the holy city to the laundering of illicit funds. In a public statement, Minister Ndiaye condemned the allegations as a direct affront to the dignity of Touba and its residents. « Labeling Touba as a hub for dirty money is not just disrespectful—it’s an outright violation of the sacred values upheld by this spiritual city and its people, » he declared. Misunderstanding the spiritual legacy of Touba Minister Ndiaye emphasized that such comments reflect a glaring ignorance of Touba’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage. « To equate the residents of To...

The Senegalese Minister of Terrestrial and Air Transport, Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye, has strongly refuted statements made by opposition leader Ousmane Sonko regarding Touba, the country's spiritual heartland. During a recent visit, Sonko alleged that illicit funds had been funneled into the holy city, an accusation the minister dismissed as a profound disrespect to Touba's residents and the foundational principles of the Mouride brotherhood. Speaking on national television, Ndiaye emphasized that such claims ignored the deep spiritual heritage and moral integrity of Touba's people. « Attributing such baseless accusations to the citizens of Touba reflects a severe misunderstanding of their dignity and unwavering commitment to the teachings of Serigne Touba, » he stated. The minister also pointed ...

Senegalese football fans remain stunned by the Lions of Teranga's unexpected exit from the 2026 World Cup, compounded by post-elimination controversies that have intensified public pressure on the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF). Public outcry over FSF leadership statements Local football enthusiast Mamadou Laila Diallo expressed outrage at FSF President Abdoulaye Fall's recent remarks, which placed sole blame on the national coach for the team's failure. "His statement was reckless. No justification exists for his words. He appears to be deflecting responsibility for incompetence by targeting individuals who share no exclusive guilt in this disaster. Even the dismissal of team doctor Pape Thiaw, though arguably justified sports-wise, was handled poorly," Diallo argued. Calls for sw...

Côte d'Ivoire's banking sector undergoes major reshuffle as Ahmed Cissé increases stake The financial landscape of Côte d'Ivoire continues to evolve as the BICICI (Banque internationale pour le commerce et l'industrie de Côte d'Ivoire) sees its shareholder structure transform once again. Following BNP Paribas' exit three years prior and the transition to purely Ivorian ownership, a significant development has unfolded: the Banque nationale d'investissement (BNI) has finalized an agreement to divest its entire stake in the bank. The buyer? None other than Brandon & Mcain Capital, an investment firm led by Ahmed Cissé—a prominent figure in both the Ivorian business community and the presidency of the Conseil du patronat ivoirien (CGECI). This strategic acquisition grants Cissé's company co...

In a decisive move reflecting growing tensions, Burkina Faso has shut down its embassy in Paris, culminating a series of diplomatic rifts with France. The nation’s twelve diplomats stationed in the French capital have returned to Ouagadougou, where they were personally received by the Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. Upon their homecoming, the diplomats handed over the national flag that had flown over the embassy along with the diplomatic premises keys—a symbolic act marking the official closure of Burkina Faso’s representation in France. Authorities have also dismissed claims suggesting that some diplomatic staff sought asylum abroad. This decision follows Burkina Faso’s announcement on June 26 to sever diplomatic ties with France. As part of reciprocal measures, French di...

SportLeandro Trossard seals move to Besiktas from Arsenal14.07.2026 17:39Transfer: Trossard's new chapter in IstanbulBelgian winger Leandro Trossard, fresh from an England title and Champions League final appearance with Arsenal, is set to trade the Gunners' red and white for Besiktas' black and white in Istanbul.Following three and a half seasons at Emirates Stadium (36 goals and 34 assists in 174 outings), the 31-year-old forward has been granted permission to travel to Istanbul for a medical examination and finalize his transfer paperwork. The North London club confirmed an agreement has been reached with Besiktas regarding the transfer fee.Besiktas marked the occasion by sharing a photograph of Trossard in his new club colors alongside the club's president, Serdal Adali. The Belgian in...

Key objectives of the two-day mission French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks Wednesday and Thursday on his inaugural foreign trip since taking office, with Rabat as his first official stop. Following a brief ceremony in Doha to honor the late Qatari emir, he will engage in high-stakes discussions with Moroccan leadership aimed at deepening bilateral ties. The agenda includes meetings with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and a series of government-level exchanges focused on strengthening cooperation across critical sectors. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, Lecornu’s diplomatic mission signals Paris’ commitment to consolidating relations with its North African partner. Restoring momentum in Franco-Moroccan relations The timing of...

The government of Gabon has launched 'Kimba Connect 2026', a national open innovation challenge aimed at fostering collaboration between local businesses and startups. Launched on July 12, 2022, the initiative invites enterprises to submit their challenges, with which innovative startups will respond. The best proposals will then benefit from development and implementation support. The program aims to promote open innovation, strengthen partnerships between businesses and young talent, accelerate digital transformation, highlight local expertise, and improve sector competitiveness. According to Mark Alexandre Doumba, Minister of Digital Economy, Innovation and Growth, 'innovation has value only if it addresses real needs'. 'Kimba Connect 2026' is designed to transform business challeng...

Mission Leader Opportunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo INTERSOS is actively recruiting a Mission Leader to join its operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This 12-month position offers a Co.co.co. contract with an immediate start date of September 1, 2026. About INTERSOS INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Our work is rooted in core values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities, respect for diversity, peaceful coexistence, and a commitment to the most vulnerable populations. Position Details Job Title: Mission Leader Reference Code: SR-38-10259 Location: Goma (with frequent travel to South Kivu, Ituri, and Kinshasa) Start Date: September 1, 202...