Friday, October 2

Month: July 2026

Sonko highlights deep flaws in african football after world cup exits
Analysis

Sonko highlights deep flaws in african football after world cup exits

Sonko highlights deep flaws in African football after World Cup exits In the wake of Africa's early exits from the 2026 World Cup, Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly, has delivered a sharp critique of the continent's football structures. Despite more African teams qualifying than ever, persistent administrative and tactical shortcomings have cost the continent dearly in the tournament. During an exclusive interview, Ousmane Sonko, leader of Pastef/Les Patriotes and prominent political figure, shared his unfiltered assessment of Africa’s World Cup campaign. While acknowledging the expanded participation as a natural outcome of FIFA’s tournament enlargement, he emphasized that this growth did not translate into competitive success on the pitch. The Senegalese...
PSG nears surprise Lucas Digne return from Aston Villa
News

PSG nears surprise Lucas Digne return from Aston Villa

Lucas Digne, the French international left-back, appears poised to make a sensational return to Paris Saint-Germain this summer. The 32-year-old defender, who previously wore the PSG shirt between 2013 and 2016, has reportedly reached an agreement with the club over a potential transfer from Aston Villa. Negotiations are now underway to finalize the deal before the summer transfer window closes. Digne’s journey to PSG began during the 2013 summer transfer window when he left Lille for the capital club. Over three seasons in Paris, he established himself as a key figure in the team’s defense. After departing PSG in 2016, he went on to play for FC Barcelona and Everton before settling at Aston Villa, where he currently plays under a contract set to expire on June 30, 2...
Ousmane Sonko’s evolving strategy: from popular challenge to institutional obstruction in Senegal
Politics

Ousmane Sonko’s evolving strategy: from popular challenge to institutional obstruction in Senegal

Is the Senegalese political landscape undergoing a profound systemic transformation, where a relentless logic of defiance now definitively overshadows respect for the Republic? Once a prominent opposition figure, briefly in power, and now retreating into a stance of radical confrontation, the leader of Pastef appears to have shifted from a strategy of popular response to an unprecedented posture of institutional obstruction. A pressing question now preoccupies observers: how far does Ousmane Sonko intend to push this? We recall the slogan “Gatsa-Gatsa” (meaning “a short tail is paid with a short tail”). Originally launched to legitimize a direct retort against the preceding administration, this concept deeply polarized the public sphere. It advocated for responding blow for blow. Howe...
Morocco and Benin lead pivotal Atlantic African states forum in Cotonou
News

Morocco and Benin lead pivotal Atlantic African states forum in Cotonou

Morocco and Benin lead pivotal Atlantic African states forum in Cotonou The 7th ministerial meeting of the Processus des États Africains Atlantiques (PEAA) kicked off this Monday in Cotonou, Benin, under the joint chairmanship of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Benin. The gathering, centered on fostering deeper ties among Atlantic-facing African nations, aligns with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision of a shared Atlantic African space marked by peace, stability, and inclusive prosperity. Delegations outline strategic priorities for regional integration The Moroccan delegation, led by Mohamed Methqal, Ambassador and Director-General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), included key figures such as Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary of the PEAA, Rachi...
Yacouba Camara’s Heartfelt Decision: Why the Former French Star Chose Mali for a New Chapter
Top Stories

Yacouba Camara’s Heartfelt Decision: Why the Former French Star Chose Mali for a New Chapter

Yacouba Camara has solidified his international comeback with a thrilling win over Bénin at the Coupe d'Afrique des nations Zone B in Bamako. The former France midfielder played a pivotal role in the Aigles' triumph. The Stakes Mali's Sizzling Success The Aigles have racked up an impressive 3-0 record in the tournament, with Camara playing a crucial role in their victories. The End of an Era for France Camara's exclusion from the French team in 2019, despite maintaining a high level of performance in the Top 14, raises questions about the management of player careers by the French coaching staff. Coupe d'Afrique Zone BMali23 - 3Bénin The Mali team defeated Bénin 23-3 in the competition, which is part of a winning streak that includes victories over Guinea and Niger. Seven Years ...
Cotonou hosts seventh african atlantic states ministerial meeting
News

Cotonou hosts seventh african atlantic states ministerial meeting

The seventh ministerial session of the African Atlantic States Process (AASP) kicked off in Cotonou on Monday, co-chaired by Morocco and Benin. The gathering aims to reinforce the political momentum behind this African partnership, driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision for a stable, secure, and prosperous Atlantic African region. A Moroccan delegation, led by Ambassador Mohamed Methqal, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), joined the talks. The team includes Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary of the AASP, Moroccan Ambassador to Benin Rachid Rguibi, and officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad. Strengthening cooperation across the Atlantic African space The AASP aligns with King...
Sonko threatens to censure Faye’s government after Mbacké gathering
Politics

Sonko threatens to censure Faye’s government after Mbacké gathering

Key pointsDismissal: Ousmane Sonko was removed from his post as Prime Minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on May 22, 2026Warning: On July 12, 2026, in Mbacké, Sonko announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against the government led by Ahmadou Al Aminou LôBacking: Ten of the sixteen mayors in the Mbour district publicly supported President Faye on July 12Party launch: The president will inaugurate his new political party at the Dakar Arena on August 8, 2026Confrontational rhetoric in MbackéPolitical tensions in Senegal have escalated sharply. During a July 12 gathering in Mbacké, Ousmane Sonko—now Speaker of the National Assembly—delivered a scathing critique of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration. The leader of the Pastef movement accused the government of aband...
Senegal Sonko warns of government censure after Mbacké rally
Politics

Senegal Sonko warns of government censure after Mbacké rally

Key pointsDismissal: Ousmane Sonko was removed as Prime Minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on May 22, 2026Threat: On July 12, 2026, in Mbacké, Sonko announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô’s governmentBacking: Ten of the sixteen mayors in Mbour department publicly endorsed President Faye on July 12Party launch: President Faye will hold the founding congress of his new party at Dakar Arena on August 8, 2026 Confrontational tone in Touba-Mbacké The political crisis in Senegal has escalated sharply. During a July 12 gathering in Mbacké, Ousmane Sonko, now President of the National Assembly, unleashed a series of direct attacks against President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his administration. In a speech that rapidly spread across soc...
Ousmane sonko’s vision for Senegal’s political future
Politics

Ousmane sonko’s vision for Senegal’s political future

Ousmane Sonko outlines his vision for governance in Senegal during Mbaké tour Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko recently concluded a high-profile tour across the Diourbel region, where he reaffirmed his party's financial independence and outlined his vision for the nation's political future. The visit, part of the '48 Hours of Pastef' campaign, saw Sonko address supporters in Touba and Sadio, emphasizing both the origins of his movement and its aspirations for Senegal's governance. Financial autonomy: a cornerstone of Pastef's identity Speaking before a packed audience in Touba, Sonko underscored the financial self-sufficiency of his party, Pastef, which he described as operating entirely outside state funding. Addressing concerns about the rapid sell-out of party membership ...
French app mon petit prono dominates world cup fan engagement
Trends

French app mon petit prono dominates world cup fan engagement

HomeSportsFootballWorld CupVideoPremium articleFrench app Mon Petit Prono takes world cup by storm: "I woke up at night just to check my score"Over three million participants joined Mon Petit Prono, transforming it into a cultural phenomenon during this World Cup.Clémence DascotteWeb journalist and musicPublished 13-07-2026 at 13:56Updated 13-07-2026 at 14:14 ShareFrom France to Spain, England to Argentina, one of these four nations will lift the World Cup trophy this Sunday. But while eyes are fixed on the pitch, another kind of champion has quietly emerged from this global tournament. It’s not a country, but an app. Since the competition began, the three letters of MPP—Mon Petit Prono—have echoed through living rooms, bars, and office spaces across the nation. Behind this phenomenon lies...
Soaring construction costs hit N’Djamena’s building sector
News

Soaring construction costs hit N’Djamena’s building sector

In N'Djamena, households and businesses are grappling with a steep rise in construction material prices, putting additional strain on property development projects across the capital. The surge in costs has been particularly sharp, with several key materials now priced significantly higher than just weeks ago. What once cost 3,000 FCFA for a bundle of lambour wood now sells between 4,500 and 5,000 FCFA. Similarly, chevron beams have jumped from 6,000 to 9,000 FCFA, while white planks have climbed from 9,000 to 14,000 FCFA. A bag of Dangote cement, a staple in local construction, now retails at 11,000 FCFA. Local hardware store owners cite rising import duties as the primary driver behind these price hikes. They report that recent customs tariff adjustments have nearly doubled their suppl...
Côte d’Ivoire conference charts path to africa’s economic sovereignty
Top Stories

Côte d’Ivoire conference charts path to africa’s economic sovereignty

After three days of intensive discussions, the 2026 African Economic Conference in Abidjan delivered more than just an assessment of the continent’s vulnerabilities. It unveiled a bold new vision: transforming Africa into a sovereign powerhouse by leveraging geopolitical shifts, deepening economic integration, and reimagining financial strategies through collective action. The conference’s closing remarks carried a clear message: Africa can no longer afford to merely react to global changes. Instead, it must boldly shape its own destiny in an evolving world order. Hosted by the African Development Bank (BAD), the United Nations Development Programme (PNUD), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE), the event brought together economists, policymakers, and globa...