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Lecornu's maiden diplomatic tour: strengthening ties with Qatar and Morocco French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks on his first official international visit, prioritizing strategic allies in the Gulf and North Africa through stops in Doha and Rabat. Why this diplomatic outreach matters First foreign trips by a new prime minister often reveal foreign policy priorities. Sébastien Lecornu's inaugural journey to Qatar and Morocco serves exactly that purpose. The sequence of visits—first Doha, then Rabat—sends a clear signal about which relationships France considers vital in the Gulf and Maghreb regions. The stopovers are far from ceremonial. In Qatar, the focus is on paying respects following the passing of the former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khal...

World Cup 2026France-spain world cup 2026: de la Fuente fires back at Deschamps over referee callsShareShareWhatsAppLinkedInEmailMessenger French head coach Didier Deschamps questioned the referee's performance after his side's 0-2 semi-final loss to Spain, while Spain's Luis de la Fuente dismissed such concerns and fired back with a sharp remark. France’s World Cup journey ended abruptly on Tuesday as Spain dismantled Didier Deschamps’s side 2-0 in the semi-finals. The France squad, unbeaten in six matches prior to the tournament, failed to impose themselves against a technically superior Spain, marking a third successive elimination by La Roja at major tournaments. Deschamps, visibly disappointed, admitted his team’s shortcomings: "We were technically outclassed. It’s our fault." ...

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has embarked on his inaugural overseas diplomatic mission, with stops in Doha and Rabat to advance Paris' strategic partnerships in the region. Following his appointment at Matignon, the new head of government chose the Gulf state as his first destination. Lecornu arrived in Qatar on Tuesday to convey France's official condolences after the passing of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled from 1995 until his abdication in 2013. The visit was personally authorized by President Emmanuel Macron as a gesture of 'the profound friendship uniting our two nations.'

During the joint portfolio review held in Yaoundé on July 14, 2026, the Cameroonian government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) identified a significant financial risk: seven approved operations totaling 373.419 million units of account (approximately 292 billion FCFA) are now at risk of cancellation. The issue stems not from a lack of resources but from internal procedural delays that have stalled project implementation. It is crucial to note that these are not funds already disbursed that Cameroon would need to repay. Instead, these envelopes consist of loans and grants approved by the AfDB, but whose agreements were either not signed within the stipulated deadlines or for which no payments have been triggered despite legal formalization. Six of the cases fall into the first cate...

Cameroun launches bold initiative to curb illegal gold trade The government of Cameroun has intensified efforts to combat gold smuggling by convening a high-level meeting aimed at restructuring the gold sector and tightening oversight on precious metal exports. A pivotal working session took place on July 14, 2026, at the conference hall of the Ministry of Commerce, bringing together key officials from the mining, customs, tax, and treasury departments. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry, alongside senior representatives from the National Mining Corporation (SONAMINES) and the Permanent Secretariat of the National Gold and Precious Metals Regulatory Authority (SNPPK). Strengthening gold traceabili...

N'Djamena hosts pivotal African water summit amid critical regional challenges N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, is set to become the global focal point for water security discussions this week as it hosts the African Water Forum. Organized in collaboration with the Chadian government and the World Bank through its Water Forward initiative, the two-day event will bring together heads of state, finance and water ministers, agricultural and energy officials, alongside regional leaders, multilateral development banks, and private sector representatives. The summit, themed « From Vision to Action », aims to tackle pressing issues including water security, climate resilience, and universal access to clean drinking water. Participants will engage in high-level dialogues to finalize investment ro...

A recent National Report on Human Development (RNDH 2026) has cast a stark light on a persistent paradox weakening Gabon's labor market. While one in three active young people faces unemployment, numerous industries struggle to find the skilled workforce they desperately require. This critical situation, according to the report, stems from three primary shortcomings: an educational system failing to align with economic demands, an economy lacking sufficient diversification, and employment policies that have yet to yield sustainable outcomes.Gabon's institutions are producing graduates, yet businesses are actively seeking technicians. Young individuals are searching for work, but productive sectors report a distinct shortage of essential skills. This fundamental disconnect, now thoroughly d...

Actus. Former Senegalese President Macky Sall is set to make his initial return to Senegal on Friday, July 17, marking his first visit since concluding his presidential term in April 2024. This significant journey is part of his ongoing campaign for the prestigious position of United Nations Secretary-General. A pivotal moment of his visit will be a meeting with current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has yet to publicly endorse Sall's international aspiration. First visit to Senegal since departing office  Macky Sall confirmed via social media his planned trip to Dakar this Friday for discussions with his successor, Bas...

Breaking News Économie: Est de la RDC: le M23 contrôle toujours 15 % à 30 % de la production mondiale de coltan à Rubaya, la France dénonce le financement de son administration « illégale» ⠀ ⠀ Sécurité: Museveni insiste sur la coopération régionale pour relever les défis sécuritaires dans l'Est de la RDC ⠀ ⠀ Politique: ONU: "Si la transition énergétique ne fait que remplacer une forme de dépendance par une autre, elle n’aura pas tenu ses promesses"( Thérèse Kayikwamba)⠀ ⠀ Sport: Handball/CACVC ...

France and Morocco are set to deepen their strategic alliance with a high-level meeting in Rabat, as French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu arrives for a two-day official visit. This landmark visit, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, brings together Sébastien Lecornu with Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch and a delegation of over ten French ministers, including Foreign Affairs and Interior officials. The agenda underscores both nations' commitment to reinforcing bilateral cooperation following years of diplomatic engagement. The timing marks a significant milestone: this will be the first high-level government meeting between the two countries since 2019. The visit follows President Emmanuel Macron’s historic recognition in mid-2024 of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Saha...

As the world grapples with how to regulate artificial intelligence, African nations are forging a distinctive approach—one that balances innovation with strategic development, digital sovereignty, and cyber resilience. While Europe emphasizes risk management and the United States prioritizes market-driven growth, the African continent is leveraging AI not just as a technological tool, but as a catalyst for economic transformation and social progress. The power of purpose-driven innovation Across the globe, AI governance debates often revolve around regulation versus acceleration. In Africa, however, the conversation has evolved beyond this dichotomy. The continent is embracing AI as a strategic asset—one that can address pressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, finance, and infras...

Discussions at the Morocco-Gulf Youth Economic Empowerment Forum concluded in Casablanca this week, culminating in a call for enhanced financial mechanisms to support youth-led innovative projects. The focus spans three key sectors: green, blue, and digital economies, aiming to catalyze sustainable economic growth and social progress. The three-day event, co-organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), brought together nearly 100 participants. This diverse assembly included young entrepreneurs, institutional leaders, industry experts, and ecosystem stakeholders from Morocco and Gulf nations. Youth empowerment as a cornerstone for sustainable development Ahmed Aboukrim, Chair of the Forum’s Scien...