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Niamey, June 4, 2026 — The Prytanée Militaire de Niamey (PMN) honored its most outstanding cadets on Thursday during a prestigious awards ceremony marking the close of the 2025-2026 academic year. Under the distinguished patronage of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General of Division Salaou Barmou, the event showcased the academic achievements of the military school’s elite students who excelled throughout the school year. The ceremony recognized top-performing students across all grade levels, from sixth grade to the final year of secondary education. By celebrating these young achievers, school leaders emphasized the core values of merit, hard work, and discipline—principles deeply embedded in the institution’s educational philosophy. Dignitaries from across Niger attended the...

Mali: JNIM leadership denies reports of high-ranking official's death following airstrike The Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) has firmly rejected recent claims about the demise of Sidna Ag Hita, a key figure and second-in-command within the organization, closely associated with its leader Iyad Ag Gali. These assertions emerged shortly after the African Legion reported targeting him in a nocturnal aerial operation near Diabali, located in central Mali. Reliable sources within JNIM have categorically denied these reports, affirming that Ag Hita remains alive and in good health. They emphasized that no credible evidence supports the claims of his death, nor has the group issued any statement confirming such an incident. On the night of May 27, the African Corps conducted a milit...

Sénégal vs Morocco: The CAN 2025 Title Debate Intensifies The outcome of the CAN 2025 final between Sénégal and Morocco continues to spark heated discussions across Africa, with opinions sharply divided over the legitimacy of the title. While the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has provisionally awarded the trophy to Morocco, the debate remains far from settled. The controversy surrounding the CAN 2025 title has reached new heights following remarks by renowned football analyst Alexandre Ruiz. The journalist, known for his outspoken views, recently reaffirmed his stance, asserting that the Lions of Teranga should be recognized as the legitimate champions based on the match result. His comments have reignited debates about the balance between on-field results and administrati...

Sonelgaz-International expands African energy footprint with new 40 MW plant in Chad Building on the successful inauguration of a 40-megawatt power plant in Niamey, Niger, Sonelgaz-International is preparing to launch a similar facility in N’Djamena, Chad. This strategic move underscores the Algerian energy group's growing presence across the African continent. Niger’s Gorou Banda plant sets the stage The newly inaugurated Gorou Banda plant in Niamey marks Sonelgaz-International’s maiden overseas project. Inaugurated on June 3 in the presence of Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, representing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, the facility represents a milestone in cross-border energy cooperation. Yazid Djellouli, CEO of Sonelgaz-In...

Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, led by Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, officially inaugurated a nationwide polio vaccination drive on Thursday at the Atrone health center in N’Djamena’s 7th arrondissement. Running from June 5 to 7, 2026, the campaign integrates polio immunization with Vitamin A supplementation and albendazole deworming for children under five.The Government Delegate to N’Djamena Province, Amina Kodjienna, emphasized that this additional health initiative reinforces ongoing efforts to safeguard children’s well-being. She urged household heads to fully cooperate with vaccination teams to ensure no child is left unprotected.A representative from Rotary International highlighted the organization’s long-standing commitment to polio eradication. The speaker called on...

Nassirou Bodo has been remanded in custody at the Niamey prison following his appearance before the public prosecutor’s office, as confirmed by sources close to the case.Civil society leader Kaka Touda took to social media to verify the activist’s detention but did not disclose the specific charges or details surrounding the police custody that preceded it.A local daily outlet reported that Bodo faces allegations of ‘spreading information likely to disrupt public order’, a charge often used in cases involving dissent against authorities.The activist had recently urged Nigeriens to organise year-long protests starting 1 June, denouncing what he described as systemic state violence against civilians. His call included references to ‘persistent insecurity in several regions’ and the ‘unjust e...

Chad’s GEMIA honors its newest class of military school recruits N’Djamena’s Groupement des Écoles Militaires Interarmées celebrated the induction of its sixth cohort of Enfants de Troupe, recognizing top performers in a ceremony attended by top military and civilian leaders. N’Djamena, 4 June 2026 – The Groupement des Écoles Militaires Interarmées (GEMIA) marked a significant milestone today with a dual ceremony celebrating the induction of its sixth cohort of Enfants de Troupe and honoring academic and athletic excellence. The event drew high-ranking military and civilian officials, including General of Division Hisseine Abderamane Haggar and the Second Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Yangmmargue Beh Félix. The ceremony brought together generals, of...

The Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola is in the spotlight this summer as his contract nears its end in 2028. Despite another Champions League triumph with the club, the 23-year-old international has yet to feature in the final, raising questions about his future. With his current deal expiring in just over three years, top European sides are circling, and the competition is fiercer than ever. Since joining from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023 for a reported €45 million plus bonuses, Barcola has become a key figure in the PSG squad. His rapid rise has drawn interest from several elite clubs, with Arsenal and Liverpool emerging as the most vocal suitors. Both teams are actively searching for a left-winger to bolster their attacking options, and Barcola’s profile a...

Activist Nassiro Bodo jailed in Niger for criticizing military rule Nigerian civil society figure Nassiro Bodo has been remanded in custody at Niamey Central Prison after posting sharp criticism of the ruling military junta on Facebook. The activist faces charges of disseminating information likely to disrupt public order, amid tightening restrictions on dissent following the July 2023 military takeover. Nigerien activist Nassiro Bodo was placed under pretrial detention Wednesday at Niamey’s main prison, just days after publicly condemning the military regime’s policies. Local media outlet Aïr Info confirmed that Bodo was remanded in custody "after being brought before the prosecutor’s office." C...

Historic ties drive renewed Benin-Togo partnership In a landmark move signaling a fresh chapter in West African diplomacy, Benin and Togo have laid the groundwork for an enhanced cooperation framework following an unprecedented high-level meeting. The encounter, described as both a working visit and a gesture of friendship, took place on June 3rd in Lomé, marking the first regional initiative under Benin’s new presidential leadership. The Togolese presidency confirmed this was a return visit extended at the invitation of President Faure Gnassingbé, while Benin’s leadership framed it as part of a broader regional engagement strategy. Regardless of terminology, both sides are signaling a clear intent to redefine their bilateral relationship. Shared vision for strategic development A join...

Iyad Ag Ghaly, a former Malian diplomat turned insurgent, currently leads the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an organization established in 2017. As the most hunted individual in the Sahel region, he faces United Nations sanctions, is listed as a terrorist by the United States, and is subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.Bounties announced for top insurgent figures in MaliThe security landscape in Mali has reached a perilous state following a series of coordinated strikes on April 25 and 26. These operations were carried out by JNIM militants in collaboration with the Touareg-led Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA). These unprecedented attacks targeted strategic military and government positions ...