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Six local leaders of the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) regained their freedom on Monday, July 20, 2026. The Abidjan anti-terrorism chamber ordered their release after nine months in custody, as announced by their lawyer, Me Ange Rodrigue Dadjé, on social media. The six PDCI activists—Allo Pacôme Didier, Kouleon Manhenin, N’Cho Gnangoran, Mabo Koffi Jean-Marc, Ouattara Kinjinlman, and Niangoran N’Guessan Édouard—were arrested between late September and early October 2025 during the high-stakes presidential campaign. Arrests amid electoral tensions The detentions occurred amid a charged presidential election in 2025, a poll marred by deep divisions between the ruling government and the opposition. The charges, which included allegations of plotting against the state and inc...

The establishment of the new term's leadership for the Council of Economic and Social Affairs (CES) in Benin is set for this Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Insiders confirm that Conrad Gbaguidi, the outgoing president of the CES, is a strong candidate for the position of First Vice-President. This role would grant him the authority to also serve as the Mediator of the Republic, a significant institutional development. Institutional reforms pave the way for Gbaguidi’s expanded role The upcoming election of the CES’s new leadership comes at a pivotal moment, following the adoption of Law No. 2026-13, which amends the organic law governing the council. A key provision of this reform is the integration of the Mediator of the Republic’s duties into the portfolio of the council’s First Vice-Pre...

Arsenal has initiated direct negotiations with Newcastle United to secure the signing of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes before the Premier League season kicks off. The 28-year-old international has formally expressed his desire to leave the Magpies and join the Emirates Stadium outfit, according to club insiders. The Gunners’ pursuit of Guimaraes follows a string of missed transfer opportunities that left their midfield ambitions unfulfilled. Earlier this summer, Chelsea secured the signing of Morgan Rogers for a reported £117 million, outbidding Arsenal in a fierce competition. Meanwhile, the club opted not to match Aston Villa’s demands for a deal, and negotiations for Mateus Fernandes—valued at £85 million—collapsed before he joined Tottenham Hotspur. Bournemouth’s refusal to let...

Deadly ambush shakes Mali’s north: what happened at Tabrichat? On the morning of July 18, a military convoy comprising Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) troops and Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps was ambushed near the remote village of Tabrichat, in northern Mali. The attack, described by witnesses as one of the most violent in over a decade, left at least 50 soldiers dead and dozens missing or captured. The tragedy unfolded as the convoy traveled from the strategic camp of Anéfis toward Gao, a major northern hub, exposing critical weaknesses in coordination and battlefield response. How the ambush unfolded: a calculated trap The convoy, stretching over several kilometers across rugged terrain, moved in two distinct sections: Russian mercenaries at the front and Malian troops at th...

pilot accidentally announces wrong world cup winner to passengers mid-flightA misleading announcement during a high-stakes match left passengers in shockAs the world watched the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, passengers on a flight found themselves in a unique predicament – disconnected from live updates until landing. What started as an attempt to keep travelers informed turned into an unexpected twist.The pilot, eager to share the outcome, announced Argentina’s victory to the cabin. Passengers erupted in celebration, only to later discover the truth: Spain had actually triumphed with a decisive goal from Ferran Torres.A moment of confusion followed as the pilot attempted to correct the mistake, whispering, “Spain won.” The abrupt shift left many stunned, especially tho...

Diomaye Faye’s decisive nod to Macky Sall’s UN ambitions Three days after welcoming him at the Palais de la République, Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, made a bold diplomatic choice: his government would provide full and unwavering support to Macky Sall’s candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General. While this endorsement carries weight, its impact on the final outcome remains uncertain. This decision signals a clear shift from personal tensions to national interest. Days before his election, Diomaye Faye was released from Cap Manuel prison, where he had been held since April 2023 under charges tied to the repression of Ousmane Sonko’s movement. His swift liberation—just ten days before the vote—came through a presidential pardon granted amid pre-election turmoil. Sonko, h...

The President of Gabon, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has just wrapped up a landmark three-day state visit to France, where high-stakes negotiations redefined the future of bilateral ties. At the heart of the discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron were two pivotal issues: reshaping the military presence at Camp de Gaulle and accelerating Gabon’s vision for local transformation of its manganese industry. This diplomatic initiative signals a clear shift—a Gabonese approach that rejects both blind submission and abrupt rupture, instead forging a partnership rooted in mutual reinvention. Camp de Gaulle: From colonial relic to sovereign hub The future of the Camp de Gaulle military base, home to the Éléments français au Gabon (EFG), was at the top of the agenda. Once a symbo...

Three days after welcoming Macky Sall at the presidential palace in Dakar, Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially announced on July 20 the full support of Senegal for his predecessor’s candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General. This decision mobilized the entire diplomatic apparatus and framed the bid as a national priority. Yet, the reversal comes after reservations expressed in March and Senegal’s earlier opposition within the African Union, which had weakened Macky Sall’s diplomatic position. With this strategic move, Bassirou Diomaye Faye strengthens Macky Sall’s dossier, allowing him to claim the backing of the state he once led for twelve years. But what motivated Senegal’s president to make this about-face? Could this decision further strain relations ...

The Côte d'Ivoire maintains one of the most robust growth rates in sub-Saharan Africa, and the government is eager to showcase these results. Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Trade, Industry and SME Promotion, delivered a detailed account of the economic actions undertaken over recent years in Abidjan. This presentation served a dual purpose: educating the public while reinforcing the narrative of an Ivorian economy resilient to shocks, driven by industrialization, public investment, and diversified production. Economic progress centered on industrial transformation The minister emphasized the government’s long-standing ambition to reduce the country’s historical reliance on raw material exports. As the world’s leading cocoa producer, Côte d'Ivoire has prioritized local processing of ...