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As Gabon prepares to mark its 66th Independence Day, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has unveiled a 51 billion FCFA allocation to settle a portion of outstanding debts owed to companies. This landmark initiative aims to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and reignite private sector momentum across the nation. The Gabonese government is intensifying efforts to address its internal debt crisis. In the lead-up to Independence Day celebrations, the president confirmed the clearance of 51 billion FCFA in business claims, signaling a commitment to economic recovery. The allocated funds are divided strategically: 30 billion FCFA targets businesses in the mining and timber industries, while the remaining 21 billion FCFA will settle debts for a broader range of enterprises, ...

football Champions League playoff Olympique Lyonnais tightens ticketing measures for high-risk Champions League playoff against Fenerbahçe Enhanced security measures will be implemented at Groupama Stadium for the Champions League playoff rematch between Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe. Authorities are convening an emergency meeting at the Lyon prefecture today to finalize security protocols for the high-risk Champions League playoff rematch between Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe on August 26. The gathering will bring together local law enforcement, stadium officials, and club representatives to establish a unified security strat...

The decision by Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso to initiate withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) represents a pivotal moment in the evolving political and institutional landscape of the Sahel. This follows earlier declarations by Mali and Burkina Faso in 2025, later joined by Niger. Chad formally submitted its withdrawal notification on July 27, 2026, citing perceived inefficiencies within the Court and what officials describe as an uneven application of international justice.Beyond legal disputes: a crisis of confidenceThis collective withdrawal cannot be dismissed as a mere legal disagreement with The Hague. It reflects a deeper erosion of trust between several African governments and international judicial institutions. Yet it raises a critical questio...

Morocco thwarts border crossing plan to Ceuta with arrestsThe Moroccan Interior Ministry spokesperson, Rachid El Khalfi, confirmed in an official statement the arrest of key figures behind a planned mass border crossing to Ceuta on August 15. The ministry also condemned online campaigns inciting such attempts and urged Spain to expedite the repatriation of unaccompanied minors.Moroccan authorities have activated comprehensive security protocols to prevent any illegal border crossings into Ceuta and Melilla, targeting individuals involved in a planned mass attempt scheduled for August 15. This follows recent social media posts and anonymous messages calling for such an operation.In a press briefing, Interior Ministry spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi confirmed that security forces have arrested...

Exactly one year after his appointment as Minister of Posts and Telecommunications under the Suminwa II government, Me José Mpanda Kabangu has delivered transformative results in restoring the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) voice on the global stage. Restoring international credibility in telecommunications Upon taking office, Me Mpanda conducted urgent consultations with telecom operators and public administration officials. His diagnosis revealed critical gaps: the DRC was isolated in key international bodies due to unpaid dues and lacked influence in shaping global telecom policies. Within weeks, he spearheaded efforts to settle over 34 years of arrears to the Universal Postal Union (UPU), securing the DRC’s right to speak and vote once again—a breakthrough achieved after dec...

The 66th anniversary of Chad’s independence was marked by a grand military parade on N’Djaména’s Place de la Nation and parallel ceremonies in major cities nationwide. The event, held on August 11, showcased the nation’s military strength and unity under a renewed vision of sovereignty. High-profile attendance and symbolic gestures President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno presided over the N’Djaména parade alongside two distinguished guests: Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, President of Madagascar’s Refondation, and General Horta Inta-A, leader of Guinea-Bissau’s transitional government. Their presence underscored regional solidarity and diplomatic ties. Earlier that morning, President Déby Itno paid tribute at the Monument aux morts in N’Djaména, laying a wreath to honor fallen soldiers who sac...

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire (CCI-CI) hosted the official launch of the second edition of the International Suppliers and Investors Fair of Africa (SIFIA 2026) on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Plateau district in Abidjan. The event, centered on the theme "Connecting businesses, creating markets, and accelerating growth," kicked off with a Business Networking session bringing together economic operators, investors, and partners. Marc Ekressin, the General Commissioner of SIFIA, framed the fair not just as a professional gathering but as a catalyst for business expansion. "Today, I’m not here to discuss a fair—I’m here to discuss the growth of your companies," he declared, urging participants to leave with new clients, partnerships, contracts, and untapped ma...

The political landscape between Washington and Libreville is evolving. President Donald Trump has officially submitted Keith Heffern’s nomination as the next United States Ambassador to the Republic of Gabon to the U.S. Senate. This move aligns with a broader initiative to refresh America’s diplomatic presence across Africa. By Fati Seyni — Analyst

OFNAC identifies nine senior officials linked to Sonko and Faye for undeclared assets The latest provisional registry from the National Office for Combating Corruption highlights significant gaps in asset declarations among top state officials. The National Office for Combating Corruption (Ofnac) has released its provisional registry, finalized on July 31, 2026, outlining a detailed assessment of asset declaration violations at the highest levels of government. Nine key positions linked to the Presidency and the National Assembly have been flagged for failing to comply with mandatory disclosure requirements. The majority of these oversights—seven in total—are concentrated within the Executive branch, particularly within the Presidential Palace and its affiliated agencies....

LAUNCH Kinshasa welcomes new eight-lane Étienne Tshisekedi boulevard The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is set to gain a major infrastructure boost with the construction of a new eight-lane boulevard named after the late Étienne Tshisekedi. The 2.02-kilometer arterial road, designed to enhance traffic flow in a congested part of Kinshasa, will be built by China Railway 20th Bureau Group over a 12-month period. The project scope includes a 750-meter ramp, drainage systems, bridges, culverts, and modern street lighting. Society Published Wednesday, August 12, 2026 President Félix Tshisekedi officially inaugurated construction on the Étienne Tshisekedi boulevard in Kinshasa, marking the start of a critical infrastructure project aimed at alleviating chronic traffic...

Gabon suspends Info 241 website over controversial articleRadio France InternationaleWednesday, August 12, 2026Add Yahoo as your preferred source to see our articles on Google.Our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent GomaThe Gabonese High Authority for Communication (HAC) has suspended the Info 241 news website following the publication of an inflammatory article titled: « Lanlaire spills on Oligui: €150,000 offered, compromising videos, bisexuality, 20 billion embezzled… ». Lanlaire, whose real name is Anges Landry Mbeng, is a Gabonese influencer based in France.The HAC justified its decision by citing « defamatory, scandalous and exceptionally harmful remarks directed at the President of the Republic and his family ». The authority also accused the media outlet of violating legal pr...

football Champions League Olympique Lyonnais Lyon turns the tide: Maitland-Niles silenced the critics with a crucial goal Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates his goal against Sparta Prague Ainsley Maitland-Niles transformed a challenging evening into a night to remember. The English full-back, who had been jeered during the team presentation and faced criticism after a shaky first leg, delivered the decisive strike in Olympique Lyonnais' 3-0 Champions League victory over Sparta Prague (3-0 aggregate). The 26-year-old defender, playing against a Sparta Prague side reduced to ten men after a 54th-minute red card, r...