Politics

Senegal parliament probes launched by Ousmane Sonko during extraordinary session Ousmane Sonko, a prominent Senegalese political leader, took center stage to unveil multiple parliamentary investigations during a specially convened extraordinary session, signaling heightened scrutiny on critical national matters. During the session, Sonko emphasized the necessity of deeper examinations into several sensitive files, which he argued had been overlooked or insufficiently addressed in previous deliberations. Key investigations initiated The newly launched probes target multiple areas of concern, including financial transparency in public contracts, allegations of corruption within government agencies, and compliance with legislative oversight procedures. These inquiries aim to resto...

For two consecutive days, the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party conducted an extensive political tour across the Jolof region, covering all 19 communes of the Linguère department. From Dahra to Barkédji, passing through Sagatta and Yang-Yang, the delegation led by party leader Ousmane Sonko, along with State Minister Habib Sy and key national figures, engaged directly with local communities. This ground campaign was not just about visibility—it was a deliberate effort to deepen ties with the heart of the region. The team met with religious and traditional leaders, while also organizing strategic meetings with grassroots structures, including youth, women, and party cadres. The goal was clear: to reinforce the party’s presence through meaningful dialogue and on-the-ground mobilization. Building ...

PASTEF-Les Patriotes launches its departmental headquarters in Linguère The PASTEF-Les Patriotes party wrapped up a two-day political campaign across the 19 communes of the Linguère department in the Jolof, leaving a lasting imprint on the region. The journey stretched from Dahra to Barkédji, weaving through key localities such as Sagatta and Yang-Yang. The delegation, led by party leader Ousmane Sonko and joined by Minister of State Habib Sy, engaged with local leaders, grassroots activists, and national allies to map out a strategy for territorial expansion. Meeting with religious and traditional authorities The tour included meaningful exchanges with religious and customary leaders, reinforcing the party’s commitment to community-rooted governance. Local party structures—comprising y...

Senatorial elections could be looming on the horizon as political tensions escalate in Sénégal. Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, has taken a bold stance by publicly challenging President Bassirou Diomaye Faye over the potential dissolution of the National Assembly. The scenario has sparked intense debate across Sénégal, with Sonko issuing a stark warning during a recent rally in Linguère. In a direct appeal to the head of state, he cautioned that any decision to dissolve parliament would backfire, further weakening the administration’s position in upcoming polls. Sonko emphasized that whether the president opts for local elections or a parliamentary dissolution, his party would emerge victorious. However, he stressed that the latter option would prove particularly damaging fo...

Political stakes rise as legislative dissolution looms in Senegal Debates over the potential dissolution of Senegal's National Assembly have intensified, with Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko sharpening his rhetoric during a recent rally in Linguère. Speaking to supporters of his Pastef party, Sonko issued a bold warning to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, suggesting that any move toward early legislative elections would backfire spectacularly on the ruling camp. The opposition figure did not mince his words. "If they hold local elections, we will defeat them. If they dissolve the Assembly, it will be even worse for them—and that’s exactly what we want. We will trounce them," he declared, leaving little room for doubt about his party’s electoral confidence. Sonko went further, hinting at...

Gabon is at a pivotal moment with the government’s decision to abolish automatic seniority-based promotions in the public sector. This sweeping reform aims to replace a long-standing system critics argue has outlived its usefulness. The shift pits the need for administrative efficiency against concerns over potential social upheaval, creating a national debate that cuts across political and professional lines. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

The political landscape of Sénégal has once again turned its gaze toward the presidency of Macky Sall with the public unveiling of a new book by Oumar Demba Bâ, his former diplomatic advisor. Held in Dakar, the event brought together politicians, diplomats, and analysts eager to explore the inner workings of presidential governance from 2012 to 2024. The most anticipated moment? A compelling testimony from Me Aïssata Tall Sall, who served as Senegal’s top diplomat during the final years of Sall’s tenure. An insider’s account of Sénégal’s presidential diplomacy Oumar Demba Bâ operated in the quiet corners of the presidential palace, shaping Sénégal’s stance on critical regional and global issues. His role as Macky Sall’s diplomatic advisor involved navigating everything from Economic Commu...

Ousmane Sonko's blistering critique of Bassirou Diomaye Faye at Linguère rally Thousands of cheering supporters gathered in Linguère to hear Ousmane Sonko deliver a scathing indictment of the current administration's performance, highlighting what he describes as a stark disconnect between campaign promises and governance reality. Ousmane Sonko addressed a massive crowd in Linguère this past Saturday, rallying supporters of the Pastef movement. His speech was laced with sharp criticism aimed at the sitting President, whom Sonko accused of betraying the democratic mandate granted by voters. The President had previously removed Sonko from his position as Prime Minister in May. « The people didn’t fight for this » With the crowd roaring in approval, Sonko painted a vivid pict...

Summarize Yves Plumey Bobo Cameroon specialist and journalist Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh Samuel Mvondo Ayolo Paul Biya In Yaoundé, the air is thick with anticipation as stakeholders weigh the implications of Cameroon’s looming political transition. The capital remains a focal point for discussions on national stability and the future leadership of Africa’s Central region. Cameroon’s leadership landscape under scrutiny At the heart of the conversation is President Paul Biya, whose decades-long tenure has shaped Cameroon’s political trajectory. His interactions with key figures like Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, secretary-general of the presidency, are closely monitored by analysts tracking shifts in governance and power dynamics. ...

The specter of election postponement in Senegal has resurfaced in Dakar’s political arena, sparking fresh debate. Following an initial warning from Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, El Malick Ndiaye, a key figure in the ruling party Pastef, has stepped forward to firmly oppose any attempt to alter the electoral timeline. His intervention arrives amid a climate where the presidential majority refuses outright to entertain what it views as an unacceptable scenario—barely a year after a severe institutional crisis rocked the nation. Clear warning to proponents of delay El Malick Ndiaye’s message leaves no room for ambiguity: it targets political actors—whether openly or behind closed doors—advocating for a postponement of upcoming elections. The Pastef official emphasized that strict adherence t...

Nigeria's security crisis: kidnappings surge and state police reform gains ground Nigeria is wrestling with a worsening security landscape marked by escalating kidnappings and a contentious debate over decentralized policing. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently linked a portion of the country’s northern violence to armed groups infiltrating from neighboring territories, sparking sharp responses from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Diplomatic tensions overshadow regional security challenges In a late July address to traditional leaders, President Tinubu suggested that cross-border militants were contributing to the surge in abductions and attacks in northern regions. The remarks drew immediate pushback from the AES, with Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré ass...

Gabon’s new civil service recruitment rule: opening doors for older candidates The Gabonese government, under the leadership of Public Service Minister Laurence Ndong, has revised the upper age limit for civil service recruitment to 40 years. The decision aims to expand the talent pool while ensuring greater professionalism in public sector appointments through national school-based competitive examinations. Strategic sectors to benefit from the reform This initiative, developed with input from 29 government departments and 110 experts, targets high-priority areas such as national sovereignty and security. The goal is to inject specialized skills into critical sectors where expertise is most needed. End of automatic career progression The reform also marks a shift away from the lon...