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Omer Mbadi Correspondent based in Cameroon Cameroon sugar corporation Jean-Claude Mimran Castel Group Senegalese sugar company Somdia How the Sosucam takeover reshaped Cameroon’s sugar sector The recent change in ownership of Cameroon’s largest sugar producer, Sosucam, has sent ripples through the country’s agricultural landscape. The restructuring marks a pivotal moment for an industry that plays a critical role in both local employment and national food security. From local dominance to international influence For decades, Sosucam operated as a cornerstone of Cameroon’s sugar economy. Its sugarcane plantations and processing facilities in the Noun Valley have long supplied the domestic market, meeting a signific...

Bénin's strategic roadmap for 2026-2033 to be unveiled in september The finalization of the Government Action Plan (PAG) for the 2026-2033 period is imminent, with its presentation scheduled for the political season opening in September. This comprehensive strategy aims to build on existing reforms while introducing new priorities across social, economic, and security sectors. Three core pillars shaping the new administration's vision The upcoming PAG 2026-2033 is structured around three fundamental pillars designed to address the nation's most pressing challenges: Eradicating extreme poverty through targeted social programs and sustainable economic initiatives Addressing regional disparities by redistributing resources and development opportunities more equitably Strength...

The highly anticipated opening match of the 2026-2027 LaLiga season between Celta Vigo and Osasuna, scheduled for Sunday evening at Estadio de Balaídos, hangs in the balance. Authorities from Spain's top football division are conducting an urgent inspection of the pitch following a significant fungal outbreak, raising doubts over the fixture's viability. Fungal infestation casts doubt over Celta Vigo's season opener The club has formally requested a postponement, while Osasuna remains ready to play as planned. LaLiga officials are assessing the damage within the next 24 hours to determine whether the match can proceed as scheduled. The decision carries major implications for both teams, particularly Celta Vigo, whose preparations for the new campaign could be severely disrupted. Balaídos...

As thousands of migrants converge on Ceuta, Morocco has pledged to implement every possible measure to secure its borders and manage the escalating humanitarian situation. Authorities are deploying additional forces and coordination efforts to address the influx, which has intensified in recent weeks. Border security tightened amid rising migration flows The Moroccan government has activated emergency protocols at key entry points, including Ceuta, to curb unauthorized crossings and ensure the safety of both migrants and border personnel. Security reinforcements are visible along the perimeter, with patrols increasing in frequency and visibility. The move comes as local aid groups report a growing number of arrivals, straining resources in the Spanish enclave. Humanitarian organization...

PoliticsUS ambassador nominee to Gabon signals strategic shift in Africa diplomacyBy Editor-in-Chief August 13, 2026 116 No commentsLibreville, August 13, 2026 — The United States has nominated career diplomat Keith Heffern as its ambassador to Gabon, marking a strategic move in Washington’s renewed focus on African diplomacy under the Trump administration. The nomination, submitted to the Senate on August 7, 2026, could restore full diplomatic representation in Libreville after months of interim leadership.The Gabonese capital is poised to become a key player in the new phase of U.S. engagement across Africa. Heffern, a seasoned diplomat from the Senior Foreign Service with minister-counselor rank, brings valuable experience in African affairs. While his appointment is not yet finalized—p...

Abidjan, August 12, 2026 – Adama Coulibaly, Ivory Coast’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, officially inaugurated and handed over the keys to the new headquarters of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in Abidjan’s Deux-Plateaux, 7th Tranche. The minister emphasized the significance of the moment: "This event symbolizes the government’s commitment to supporting GIABA’s mission by providing a fully equipped, modern facility." He added that the new offices would serve as a hub for sharing expertise and best practices in combating financial crime, money laundering and terrorist financing. From agreement to realization: how Côte d’Ivoire became GIABA’s regional hub The Ivory Coast’s partnership with GIABA dates back to a landmark agre...

Senegal court rules against Atos in DGPU dispute A landmark ruling by Senegal's highest commercial court has sided with the country's urban development agency, the DGPU, in its legal showdown with Atos, a European digital services giant. The decision sends a clear message about Senegal's commitment to enforcing contractual obligations with foreign vendors. The Dakar Commercial Court found Atos liable in its dispute with the Delegation Generale pour la Promotion des Poles Urbains (DGPU), a key agency overseeing major urban projects like the Diamniadio development zone. This judgment not only strengthens the DGPU's position but also reinforces Senegal's regulatory framework for public contracts. DGPU secures judicial validation of its claims The DGPU, which manages Senegal's flagship urb...

The Burkinabè construction giant EBOMAF has rapidly ascended to the top of Gabon’s public procurement landscape since the country’s political transition began in August 2023. Within just three years, the company—founded by businessman Mahamadou Bonkoungou—has secured contracts worth over 700 billion West African CFA francs in Gabon, an unprecedented achievement for a single foreign operator in the country. Its portfolio now spans critical infrastructure projects, including major road networks, the Andem Airport expansion, and the ambitious Libreville 2 administrative capital project, all directly aligned with the transitional government’s infrastructure priorities under President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Dominance in Gabon’s public procurement sector The sheer volume and pace of cont...

The art of crisis communication in Mali has evolved into a carefully orchestrated spectacle. Recently, the Direction de l’Information et des Relations Publiques des Armées (DIRPA) released its latest operational report, and the figures presented by Colonel Bakary Bocar Maïga were nothing short of staggering. According to the report, between June and July, military operations allegedly neutralized 1,850 terrorists, destroyed 45 bases, and rendered hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles unusable. Yet, beneath the bravado lies a glaring absence of verifiable evidence. Statistical Showmanship Over Ground Realities The precision with which these losses are tallied raises serious questions. How does an army, no matter how active, claim to have eliminated nearly two thousand enemy fighters in just...

Cameroon: man who attempted to read fake decrees on national TV jailedA man was taken into custody in Yaoundé after attempting to present what he claimed were official presidential decrees on national radio. The documents, which included a supposed appointment decree for a vice president, were later verified as counterfeit by authorities.On June 12, 2026, Johann Adriel Sitchom Kuate arrived at the national broadcaster’s headquarters in Yaoundé’s Nlongkak district, presenting documents he insisted were legitimate. Witnesses noted their professional appearance, including one decree bearing the signature of President Paul Biya.Under standard protocol, such decrees are read on air to inform the public. However, CRTV staff, sensing irregularities, alerted top government officials—including thos...