News

The Malian government has initiated a sweeping overhaul of its military command structure in response to the coordinated assaults that unfolded on April 25, 2026. These attacks, claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), resulted in the tragic loss of former Defense Minister General Sadio Camara. A special edition of the Official Gazette, released on May 29, detailed the strategic reassignments across the Malian Armed Forces and the Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The restructuring aims to address critical operational gaps exposed during the recent security failures. New leadership takes charge of Sahel security operations Brigadier General Makan Alassane Diarra has been appointed to lead the AES Unified F...

Bénin's Romuald Wadagni embarks on maiden diplomatic mission to Côte d'Ivoire Just days after assuming office, Bénin's newly elected President Romuald Wadagni is set to undertake his first official foreign visit. Scheduled for early June 2026, the trip will take him to Abidjan, where he will meet with his Ivorian counterpart, President Alassane Ouattara. The visit, though yet to be officially confirmed by Béninese authorities, has already generated considerable diplomatic anticipation. The timing and destination selection underscore the significance of this inaugural international engagement for the Wadagni administration. Diplomatic milestone with regional implications The potential visit carries substantial diplomatic weight for both nations. Côte d'Ivoire's position as a pivotal play...

Just days after taking office, Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni is set to embark on his first official foreign visit to Côte d’Ivoire. According to well-informed sources, the Beninese head of state is scheduled to arrive in Abidjan on June 4 for a working visit with his Ivorian counterpart, Alassane Ouattara. This maiden international trip holds significant diplomatic weight, symbolizing the robust ties between Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. While no official statement has yet been released regarding the visit, the announcement has already sparked discussions across regional media platforms, underscoring the strategic importance of this engagement. The decision to choose Abidjan for his first official trip marks a deliberate shift in Benin’s foreign policy approach. Unlike his predece...

A prominent journalist in Senegal is under scrutiny following remarks deemed inflammatory about opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Aïssatou Diop Fall, head of Public SN, has been summoned by the Division spéciale de cybersécurité for questioning after her comments sparked outrage. The controversy erupted after she publicly expressed a wish for Sonko to be abducted by armed groups. The remarks, made during a broadcast, drew immediate backlash across social media and within public discourse, prompting swift condemnation from political figures and civil society. In response to the uproar, Diop Fall issued a formal apology via video, acknowledging that her words were inappropriate and expressing regret for the harm caused. Despite her public retraction, the legal proceedings against her have...

PSG’s Champions League win triggers nationwide unrest: 780 arrested save for later to save this article, log in or create a franceinfo account free of charge. no subscription required. close the franceinfo notification window create account log in reading time: 1min - video: 2min 2min nationwide arrests follow Paris saint-germain’s historic champions league victory, with clashes erupting across mult...

After Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League win, riots erupt across France France’s Interior Ministry reports 780 arrests following violent clashes after Paris Saint-Germain’s dramatic Champions League victory. This marks a 32% surge in arrests compared to the same night last year, when the team last claimed the trophy. ...

Paris riots after PSG Champions League win: authorities call for zero gatherings Following chaotic scenes on the Champs-Élysées, authorities impose strict restrictions on public celebrations. After violent unrest erupted on Saturday evening following the Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory, officials in Paris’s 8th arrondissement are taking decisive action. The 8th arrondissement city hall has issued a strongly worded statement demanding a complete ban on all gatherings on the Champs-Élysées. The move follows violent clashes that turned the iconic avenue into a battleground after PSG’s triumph over Arsenal. In a Sunday morning press release, officials described how the avenue a...

The political landscape in Mali continues to darken as the residence of exiled opposition figure Dr. Oumar Mariko was raided in the capital, Bamako, on May 30 by heavily armed and masked individuals. The three-hour operation concluded with the seizure of multiple documents, a move that underscores the escalating repression by the current transitional authorities amid recent military setbacks in the country's northern regions. Night-time intrusion leaves family shaken The quiet streets of Bamako’s residential district were shattered when a squad of cagouled gunmen stormed Dr. Mariko’s home. According to accounts from family members, the raid lasted approximately three hours, though no physical harm was inflicted on those present. Instead, the assailants forcibly breached locked rooms and c...

Viewership for the Champions League final sank slightly compared to last year’s tally, with an average of 9.1 million French fans tuning in on Saturday 30 May. The match aired on M6 and Canal+ simultaneously with the Roland-Garros quarter-final featuring Moïse Kouamé, which contributed to the modest dip in numbers. The second consecutive Champions League triumph for Paris Saint-Germain drew a total audience that fell short of 2020’s figure, largely due to weaker ratings on M6. Broadcast timing and scheduling conflicts likely influenced the final count, according to overnight data released by Médiamétrie and Canal+. By Fati Seyni — Analyst