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Freetown became the diplomatic stage on July 17, 2026, as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened its 96th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers. Representing Côte d’Ivoire at this high-level gathering was Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nialé Kaba, joined by Adama Dosso, Minister Delegate for African Integration and Ivorians Abroad. Their participation underscores Abidjan’s commitment to shaping regional policy ahead of the heads of state summit. Days of strategic diplomacy in Sierra Leone’s capital The ministerial proceedings in Freetown began on July 12, culminating in today’s session as a prelude to the 69th ECOWAS Summit scheduled for July 19 in Lungi. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba, wh...

Affamé de sport, il a grandi au son des moteurs de Formule 1 et des exploits de Ronaldinho. Aujourd’hui, diplomé d'un Master de journalisme de sport, il ne rate plus un Grand Prix de F1 ni un match du PSG, ses deux passions et spécialités Bien lancé dans son processus de vente, le PSG s'apprêterait à boucler le transfert de Lee Kang-In vers l'Atlético de Madrid. Enrique Cerezo, président des Colchoneros, a d'ailleurs évoqué de feuilleton auprès de la presse espagnole. Cet été, le PSG a décidé de vendre certains joueurs qui occupaient un rôle secondaire dans l'effectif et qui ont émis le souhait de p...

Regional body stresses urgency of restoring constitutional order in Burkina Faso During a high-level visit to Ouagadougou, the African Union (AU) reiterated its call for Burkina Faso to accelerate its transition back to constitutional rule by organizing elections and reopening the political space. The organization also emphasized its commitment to maintaining open dialogue with the transitional authorities while continuing to support the country’s fight against terrorism. The AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, held meetings with Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. Notably, no encounter took place with the transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, during the visit. Dialogue and securi...

The Russian-backed Wagner Group has carved out a lucrative narcotics empire in the Central African Republic, with tramadol trafficking providing fresh momentum to its already entrenched operations. What began as a mercenary force has evolved into a multifaceted criminal enterprise, leveraging the country’s porous borders and weak governance to amass wealth and influence. Originally prescribed for mild to moderate pain, tramadol in the Central African Republic is being repackaged into a far more potent form—often compared to “poor man’s cocaine”—and distributed across the region. This synthetic opioid, smuggled in from the Democratic Republic of the Congo via river routes, floods local markets and fuels addiction among vulnerable populations. Despite the 2023 death of founder Evgeny Prigo...

The 69th summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Freetown, Sierra Leone, at a pivotal moment for the regional bloc. As leaders gathered, one glaring absence dominated discussions: the three nations that have distanced themselves from the alliance—the Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—now consolidated under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This gathering marks yet another meeting where these critical stakeholders are notably absent, underscoring the deepening fractures within the organization. A fractured bloc: ECOWAS grapples with post-AES realities Beyond symbolic gestures, West African leaders face a pressing question: how to redefine ECOWAS in the wake of Mali, Burkina Faso, and...

In a surprising turn of events, Waly Diouf Bodian, a prominent figure within Pastef and a staunch supporter of Ousmane Sonko, has been removed from his position as Director of the Autonomous Port of Dakar by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This dismissal comes at a politically charged moment, as a long-forgotten Facebook prophecy about former President Macky Sall resurfaces with unsettling irony. In 2022, Bodian made a bold declaration on Facebook, predicting that by April 2024, former President Macky Sall would no longer set foot in the Presidential Palace unless invited by Ousmane Sonko. Yet history unfolded in a starkly different manner. When Sall returned to Senegal in mid-2024, Sonko was not in power to issue any such invitation. The irony deepened further when Bodian himself was ...

Benin Benin customs seizes over 5 500 smuggled phones at Hillacondji border A major crackdown on cross-border fraud has just been achieved by Benin’s customs authorities. On Sunday, July 12, 2026, a sweeping operation at the southwestern border of Benin led to the interception of a substantial shipment of phones being illegally introduced into the country. Customs officers from the Hillacondji Brigade, under the leadership of Captain Fortuné Allagbé, successfully intercepted the shipment before it could be distributed through illicit channels. In total, 5,574 smuggled Android smartphones were seized. Strengthening border security and economic integrity This record seizure is part of a broader anti-fraud strategy implemented by the Director General of Customs, Colonel Raouf Malèhosso...

controversy brews over Diomaye Faye and Macky Sall meeting in Senegal The upcoming meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall has ignited fierce backlash from families of victims of political repression during Sall’s tenure. These families, still awaiting justice and reparations, view the encounter as untimely and deeply unjust. Why is this meeting drawing such strong reactions? What impact could it have on Senegal’s political landscape? Analyst Assane Samb weighs in on the significance of this encounter in the current context. Analyst Assane Samb on the meeting’s implications Assane Samb explains that while some voices are protesting, the meeting itself was inevitable...

Macky Sall's Unannounced Visit To Dakar Senegal President Macky Sall paid a surprise visit to Dakar on Friday, leaving many wondering about the timing and purpose of his trip. The Unexpected Audience The visit was marked by a low-key atmosphere, with few people expecting the president's arrival in the city. However, Sall's visit has sparked interest among locals and international observers alike. Profile Senegal President Macky Sall is a well-known figure in West Africa, having served as head of state since 2012. Prior to his presidency, he worked as an economist and politician. By Fati Seyni — Analyst

Across Cameroon’s East and Adamawa regions, an illicit gold rush has taken hold, leaving behind a trail of unexplained deaths and unchecked criminal networks. Despite the country’s vast mineral wealth, local communities bear the brunt of exploitation while state authorities struggle to assert control over the booming but shadowy mining sector. The surge in informal gold extraction has led to a disturbing rise in fatalities, with victims often succumbing to unsafe working conditions, mercury poisoning, or violent clashes between rival miners and criminal gangs. Meanwhile, the true beneficiaries—powerful figures linked to both local and international trafficking rings—remain largely untouched, siphoning off profits with alarming ease. How Cam...