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Ludovic Megne Ndong assumes leadership of Gabon’s railway transport regulator Gabon has welcomed its new leader at the helm of the Autorité de régulation des transports ferroviaires (ARTF), as Ludovic Megne Ndong officially stepped into his role during a handover ceremony held in Owendo. His appointment follows the departure of his predecessor, François Banga Eboumi. The transition ceremony marked the formal transfer of responsibilities, setting the stage for Megne Ndong to steer the ARTF through its next phase of development. Key priorities outlined during his installation include enforcing the newly established guidelines for the institution, with a particular focus on implementing the reorganization order that redefines the ARTF’s operational framework. The incoming le...

Satellite imagery of the sixth airbase in Ben Guerir has confirmed the operational deployment of Turkish-made Bayraktar Akıncı drones within Morocco's Royal Armed Forces. These advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, produced by Baykar, were received early last year and have been integrated alongside the earlier Bayraktar TB2 drones already stationed at the facility.The presence of the Akıncı drones marks a significant enhancement to Morocco's aerial surveillance and strike capabilities, reflecting the kingdom's ongoing modernisation of its defence infrastructure. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

A Bamako court sentenced French lieutenant-colonel Yann V. to twenty years in prison, nearly a year after his arrest in Mali. The officer, officially assigned to the French embassy, also received a fine of 3.6 million FCFA for alleged crimes against state security.Malian authorities accuse him of taking part in operations aimed at destabilising state institutions by mobilising political leaders, civil society actors, and senior army officers. Paris firmly rejects these charges, calling the case baseless and demanding his release.Growing tensions between Bamako and ParisThis case unfolds amid heightened friction between Bamako and Paris following the withdrawal of Operation Barkhane and Mali's strategic turn toward Russia. Although both nations kept low-key intelligence cooperation alive, t...

Gabon's budget deficit widened significantly in 2025, reaching 5.3% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 3.8% in 2024. The deterioration stemmed from an expansionary fiscal policy combined with a growing debt burden. Public debt climbed to 78.9% of GDP, contributing to the downgrade of the country's sovereign credit rating in December 2025.This development came amid an economic slowdown. GDP growth decelerated from 3.4% in 2024 to 2.7% in 2025, dragged down by declines in oil, mining, forestry, and transport output. Although public works, manufacturing, and services performed well, government spending aimed at supporting the economy further strained the fiscal balance, increasing the state's financing needs.Growing pressure on public financesThe widening deficit has been accompanie...

Libreville, Tuesday 9 June 2026 – The official launch of construction work on the deep-water port of Kobe-Kobe on Monday 8 June marks far more than the start of an infrastructure project.It signals Gabon's entry into a new phase of its economic history. Behind the excavators and technical studies lies a national transformation project whose consequences could permanently reshape the country's place in African and global trade.At Nyonié, on the Atlantic coast of Estuaire province, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema gave the starting signal for a programme that embodies several strategic ambitions at once. Industrialisation, economic sovereignty, diversification beyond oil, territorial development, job creation and regional influence now converge around a single goal.Rarely has a project...

South Africa’s judicial system has deferred a decision on panafricanist activist Kemi Seba’s bail application until June 18, 2026. The activist, who has been held in Pretoria since April, remains in custody while the legal process unfolds. Meanwhile, a hearing on his potential extradition to Bénin has been scheduled for July 14, 2026. Investigators have uncovered serious allegations that he received cryptocurrency funding from Russia to cover illicit travel arrangements, further complicating his case. Pretoria court extends detention amid mounting evidence The legal saga surrounding Kemi Seba, also known as Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, took another dramatic turn in Pretoria. Regional judges postponed a ruling on his bail request, instead opting to extend his detention until mid-20...

The 45th Annual General Assembly of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) opened on 9 June in Rabat, focusing on a key challenge for African economies: financing the continent's rapid urbanisation. The opening ceremony was attended by Nadia Fettah Alaoui and the president of... This content is reserved for members of the Premium, Semestrial, Trimestrial, Monthly, Weekly, One day, and Download a MAGAZINE (PDF) levels only.SubscribeAlready a member? Log in here By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

For three days starting Monday, June 8, 2026, N’Djamena hosted a pivotal regional workshop designed to fortify the legal safety of journalists focusing on environmental issues. The event, co-organized by Reporters sans Frontières and key ministries in Communication and Environment, brought together over 20 media professionals from Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Strengthening legal frameworks for safer journalism The initiative, part of the broader project titled “Defending and Protecting Environmental Journalism in the Sahel”, seeks to elevate the working conditions for journalists who cover environmental topics. A central goal is to deepen participants’ understanding of their rights, existing protective mechanisms, and risk mitigation strategies while fostering collaboration among ...

The Gabonese government and the European Union (EU) convened yesterday at the Omar Bongo Ondimba Congress Palace in the Cité de la Démocratie for the second session of their strategic partnership dialogue. Co-chaired by Gabon’s Vice-President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, and the EU Ambassador to Gabon, Cécile Abadie, this meeting followed the inaugural dialogue held in October 2024. During the discussions, Mr. Immongault emphasized that the dialogue aligns with the Samoa Agreement, the foundational legal framework governing relations between the EU and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) nations. He underscored the agreement’s call for "a more balanced, operational partnership with a stronger focus on the tangible impacts of public policies and investments." The session cover...

Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga of Mali inaugurated a series of significant panel discussions, delving into crucial topics such as "Media Education: A Citizen Imperative in the Digital Era," "Information Disorder: The MDM Triptych and Verification Tools," and "Curriculum and Training in Media Literacy." These discussions are vital for fostering robust independent African journalism.Morocco, recognized as the distinguished guest of honor, maintained a prominent presence throughout the forum, which convened from June 3 to June 6, 2026. Aziz Boucetta, publication director for Panorapost.com, articulated that the gathering in Mali represented the "pan-African family" uniting to confront and resolve Africa's challenges, asserting their surmountability with collective awareness. He expressed Moro...

CONFLICTS & CRISES Mali's spiral of violence: jihadist-rebel clashes shake Bamako and threaten civiliansThe war in Mali enters a new phase, with offensives targeting the north and then the capital. For residents, the threat expands as the junta hardens its response without restoring control. When Mali's war spills over into diplomacyIn Mali, one question now dominates: who still controls the ground, and at what cost to civilians? In the north and around Bamako, the answer depends less on a clear camp than on a tangle of rebellions, jihadist groups, government forces, and external backing.The Mali conflict is not new. It is rooted in the 2012 crisis, when the north of the country fell between Tuareg rebellion and jihadist expansion, against a backdrop of state collapse after the Marc...