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Government intensifies hunt for Sahel's most wanted figures The Malian government has escalated its efforts to dismantle jihadist networks by placing bounties on the heads of top leaders from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and the Front de Libération de l'Azawad (FLA). This move comes amid a surge in coordinated attacks that have shaken the nation’s security landscape. Who are the most wanted? Iyad Ag Ghaly, a former Tuareg rebel and diplomat, remains the most hunted figure in the Sahel. As the leader of JNIM—formed in 2017—he faces global sanctions, including a United Nations designation, a U.S. terrorism blacklist, and an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The government’s latest announcement targets...

Mali intensifies manhunt for key jihadist and rebel leaders The Malian government has escalated its pursuit of top commanders from armed factions responsible for coordinated assaults that killed high-ranking officials, including the Defense Minister. The crackdown targets figures tied to the JNIM (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims) and the FLA (Azawad Liberation Front), both active in the country’s volatile northern regions. Among those now sought is Iyad Ag Ghaly, a former Tuareg rebel and diplomat who heads the JNIM—a coalition designated as a terrorist organization by multiple governments. Ag Ghaly faces sanctions from the United Nations and holds an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. In a televised announcement, authorit...

The President of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, met yesterday at the Palais Rénovation with Eugène Mba, the Mayor of Libreville. This second encounter between the two leaders follows their first meeting on April 28 and underscores the ongoing commitment to monitor local governance, assess expected outcomes from municipal executives, and strengthen collaboration between the central government and local administrations.The Mayor presented a comprehensive report on his mandate, which began on April 24, detailing progress made alongside an updated organizational chart for Libreville’s city hall. Discussions also highlighted transformative projects aimed at reshaping the capital: modern parking infrastructure, expanded green and botanical spaces, combating illegal public land occupation, ...

With the PASTEF party congress just two days away, presidential advisor Aldiouma Sow has stepped forward to address recent remarks made by Ousmane Sonko. In a high-profile rebuttal, he categorically denied reports suggesting President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had signed a covert agreement while detained at Cap Manuel. Aldiouma Sow emphasized that the Head of State has never engaged in any clandestine dealings, stressing that Bassirou Diomaye Faye remained steadfast in his political principles throughout the 2024 transition process. The advisor dismissed claims that the President participated in any scheme to undermine the Senegalese people’s electoral sovereignty, stating: « He has never been involved in any maneuver aimed at hijacking the nation’s right to freely choose its leadership. » T...

An important milestone is being reached for Cameroon’s Edéa–Kribi–Lolabé–Campo railway corridor project today in Yaoundé. The government, Africa Global Logistics (AGL), and Camalco—a subsidiary of Australian firm Canyon Resources—are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will formalize discussions around this critical infrastructure. The ceremony, scheduled at the Starland Hotel, will be led by the Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Massena Ngallè Bibehe. The primary goal is to integrate the national rail network with the deep-sea port of Kribi and, eventually, facilitate mineral export flows. Railway corridor central to Cameroon’s logistics transformation The significance of this MoU extends beyond mere infrastructure development. It represents a strategic realignmen...

The Cameroonian government has given the green light to Prometal, a leading steel transformation company in Cameroon and Central Africa, to secure a 90-megawatt power supply directly from the Electricity Development Corporation (EDC), the state-owned entity managing the country’s electricity assets. Finalizing the agreements will follow a series of consultations scheduled from June 8 to 12, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s office in Yaoundé. A directive dated June 1, 2026, signed by Secretary-General Séraphin Magloire Fouda and addressed to Minister of Water and Energy Gaston Eloundou Essomba, outlines the roadmap for this arrangement. Prometal joins elite group of industries tapping Cameroon’s hydropower The upcoming talks will focus on finalizing the special pricing terms granted to Promet...

South Kivu crisis: MSF tackles massive displacement amid health emergency The humanitarian situation in South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has reached alarming levels. In Baraka, persistent insecurity from ongoing armed clashes and deteriorating road conditions severely restrict access to essential healthcare services. With needs escalating beyond existing capacities, immediate medical and humanitarian intervention is urgently required. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) stands among the few organizations actively providing critical assistance to affected communities. ...

The fourth national census in Cameroon is navigating a tumultuous period. Originally slated to conclude on May 29th, the comprehensive population and housing enumeration exercise received a two-month extension, mandated by a decree signed by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. Far from easing tensions, this decision has intensified criticism from various civil society organizations, which highlight significant organizational shortcomings in what is a foundational statistical undertaking for national public policies. Philippe Nanga, coordinator for the non-governmental organization Un Monde Avenir, did not mince words when describing the situation. He characterized the process as a “general cacophony,” stressing its critical importance for effective national planning. Nanga pointed to a stark...

During hearings held on June 1 and 2, 2026, at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal, a pivotal moment unfolded in the legal proceedings surrounding the murder of investigative journalist Martinez Zogo. The breakthrough came from digital evidence presented by forensic expert Professor Georges Bell Bitjoka, whose testimony as the 32nd prosecution witness reshaped the trajectory of the trial. Professor Bitjoka’s mandate was clear: analyze the digital footprint of the accused. His meticulous work led to the discovery of harrowing footage stored in the Google Cloud account of one defendant. On June 1, the courtroom witnessed an unprecedented and emotionally charged moment as three videos—depicting the torture and execution of Martinez Zogo—were publicly screened for the first time. The session was ab...

On June 3, 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema met with the newly appointed Director-General of Taxes, Edith Laure Mbiguidi Oyaya, alongside her leadership team and Thierry Minko, Minister of Economy, Finance, Debt Management, and Price Control. The meeting served as the Director-General's first official engagement with the Head of State. During the encounter, Edith Laure Mbiguidi Oyaya expressed her appreciation for the appointment and outlined the key priorities of her strategic plan for the tax administration. The roadmap she presented centers on three core pillars: modernizing institutional structures, broadening the tax base, and enhancing tax collection efficiency. Additionally, the administration aims to strengthen monitoring systems and taxpayer oversight while upholding...

Gabon is setting ambitious economic goals for its next five-year term. To implement the National Growth and Development Plan (PNCD) 2026-2030, the government is banking on a total budget of 27 trillion FCFA, with a staggering 18 trillion FCFA expected to come from the private sector. The remaining 9 trillion FCFA will be covered by public funds, a figure that falls short of fully financing the structural transformation envisioned by the transitional authorities, now the constitutional government since the April 2025 presidential election. Private capital takes center stage in financing strategy The announced allocation reflects a deliberate policy choice. By entrusting two-thirds of the investment effort to the private sector, Libreville aligns itself with the mixed financing strategies a...