International

Cameroon's significant urban road initiative, the Yaoundé bypass project, has captured the attention of a new international contender. India-based Ashoka Buildcon Limited has formally expressed its interest in this undertaking, valued at over 1,260 billion FCFA before taxes. The company presented an integrated proposal on June 9 to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the government body overseeing the operation. Their offer encompasses the design, execution, and financial structuring of the entire project. During the presentation, Vinit Chitale, the group's Head of Business Development for global markets, outlined a strategy centered on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. This approach designates a single contractor responsible for the engineering, sourci...

Rabat hosts grand celebration for 250 years of us independence and enduring Morocco partnership A- A+ Tweet Facebook Whatsapp Linkedin Mail The United States Embassy in Rabat recently hosted its annual National Day reception, commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. This significant event, a first to be held at the historic Chellah site, brought together an esteemed gathering to honor the enduring bond between the two nations.High-ranking Moroccan officials, diplomatic representatives, and key partners from both the public and private sectors convened to celebrate nearly two and a half centuries of profound friendship and collaborative efforts between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco.Morocco's unique historical role as t...

Morocco reaffirms unwavering support for Libya's political reconciliation processMorocco has once again affirmed its steadfast commitment to a political solution for Libya's crisis, during a session of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) on Tuesday.Speaking at the AU PSC meeting on Libya, Ambassador Mohamed Arrouchi, Morocco's permanent representative to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, reiterated the kingdom's backing for national reconciliation efforts and inter-Libyan dialogue initiatives. He emphasized the need to consolidate progress and build consensus among Libyan parties.Arrouchi underscored that the Skhirat Agreement, signed on December 17, 2015, as part of the UN-sponsored reconciliation process, remains a credible foundation for a la...

Libreville, Tuesday 9 June 2026 – The strategic dialogue between Gabon and the European Union marks far more than a routine diplomatic check-in.Set against the backdrop of the Fifth Republic born from the April 2025 presidential election, this session reveals a profound shift in ties between Libreville and Brussels. Gabon no longer wishes to be seen as a mere recipient of international aid. Instead, it aims to establish itself as a full-fledged economic, political and environmental partner.Through talks held at the Palais des Congrès Omar Bongo Ondimba, led by Vice‑President of the Government Hermann Immongault and European Union Ambassador to Gabon Cécile Abadie, a new cooperation doctrine seems to be taking shape. It rests on investment, local value creation, skills transfer and recognit...

N'Djamena – The Prime Minister, Mr. Sifi Ghrieb, arrived in Chad on Monday for an official visit, mandated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The trip aims to strengthen fraternal ties, cooperation, and partnership between Algeria and Chad. By Fati Seyni — Analyst

France has vehemently protested the twenty-year criminal conviction handed down to a French diplomatic agent by the Malian judicial system. Found guilty of « atteinte à la sûreté de l’État » (undermining state security), the French national also faces a twenty-year ban from Malian territory and a substantial fine. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly challenged this ruling, characterizing the accusations as entirely unfounded.In an official statement, the Quai d'Orsay reiterated that the agent was performing an authorized security cooperation mission from the French Embassy in Bamako. French authorities assert unequivocally that France has never been involved, either directly or indirectly, in any attempt to destabilize Mali. Since the agent's arrest in August 2025, Paris has co...

The ongoing dispute between Paris and Bamako has reached a critical new phase following the severe judgment against Yann V., a publicly acknowledged operative of the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE). The French national, apprehended in the Malian capital in August 2025, has been handed a two-decade prison term. The junta accused him of actions constituting an attempt to destabilize state institutions. Despite these serious charges, his identity as an intelligence officer had been formally communicated to local authorities, in accordance with established diplomatic practices between long-standing partner agencies.A legal battle at the heart of the franco-malian riftThe case involving Yann V. vividly illustrates the profound distrust that has developed between the French g...

A French national, arrested in August 2025 by the military junta and accused of conspiracy against state institutions, has received a 20-year prison sentence from the criminal chamber of the specialized counter-terrorism court.Malian judicial authorities have sentenced a French intelligence agent, who held diplomatic status and has been detained for nearly ten months in the capital, Bamako. The individual was condemned to two decades behind bars for "undermining state security" in the Sahelian country, which operates under a transitional military government. This ruling underscores significant developments in African politics and governance in the region. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

Niger and Algérie have solidified their energy relationship by signing three pivotal cooperation treaties. This move, part of a broader bilateral dialogue between the two nations, highlights a shared focus on oil and gas exploration, refining processes, and professional development for sector personnel. For Niamey, these pacts represent a critical diplomatic shift as the nation seeks reliable regional allies following a break with several Western partners. Three pacts to strengthen the Niamey-Alger axis The signed documents address various segments of the energy value chain, ranging from upstream exploration to the technical training required for large-scale industrial projects. Niger, a producer of both oil and uranium, aims to maximize its natural wealth by leveraging the proven experti...

International Wadagni and Tiani strengthen Benin-Niger bilateral ties The Presidents of Benin and Niger, Romuald Wadagni and Abdourahamane Tiani, reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation, with a focus on security and economic growth. — 2 min read Share ...

PolitiqueNigerBénin-Niger : les impacts de la fermeture de la frontièreDespite innovative detour strategies via Nigeria, traders and transporters are reporting substantial monetary losses and a significant slowdown in their operations.The extended closure of the border between Bénin and Niger, a direct consequence of the military coup on July 26, 2023, has unleashed profound economic repercussions across Niger. This significant shift in African politics has led to considerable challenges for the nation's economy. For months, businesses and transport companies have grappled with the severe economic strain imposed by the Bénin-Niger border closure. They have been forced into urgent adaptations simply to sustain their operations amidst the changing landscape of governance Africa. Nigeria: a...

The Niger-Bénin border, a vital artery that has remained closed for three years, now shows signs of a significant shift. A recent visit by Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine to Cotonou, where he attended the inauguration of Bénin's new head of state, Romuald Wadagni, has re-established a direct political dialogue between Niamey and Cotonou. Addressing his hosts, the Nigerien government chief spoke of a “new path” for both nations – a diplomatic phrase signaling the onset of a thaw after a period of open crisis following the July 2023 coup. The decision to shut down the Malanville border post, the primary commercial gateway between the two countries, came in the wake of sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against Niger's military regime. Since t...