Politics

The latest judicial appointments in Senegal have ignited intense debates about their potential impact on the nation’s political landscape. Political analyst Mamadou Wane, widely known as Mao, suggests that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye may be orchestrating a calculated move to sideline Ousmane Sonko from the 2029 presidential race, underestimating the resilience of the Senegalese people. Controversial judicial appointments and their implications Recent nominations to the Constitutional Council and the Saint-Louis Court of Appeal represent a significant shift at the highest levels of governance. According to Mao Wane, President Faye’s strategy appears to revive elements of the former neocolonial order while aiming to politically neutralize Sonko ahead of 2029. However, such a covert mane...

Critical minerals: at the UN, DRC condemns Rwanda's army inaction and insists on governance for peace and development Therese Kayikwamba Wagner at the UN Security Wednesday, July 15, 2026 - 10:11 The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a nation abundant in some of the world’s most sought-after critical minerals, took center stage at a high-level United ...

Morocco's political arena is witnessing a remarkable shift as Abdelilah Benkirane, former prime minister and long-standing leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), intensifies efforts to expand his influence beyond traditional conservative circles. His latest campaign targets younger demographics, particularly Generation Z, aiming to bridge generational divides in the kingdom's evolving socio-political landscape. The PJD's enduring legacy under Benkirane The PJD's journey under Benkirane's leadership has been defined by a blend of Islamic values and pragmatic governance. Since assuming the helm in 2008, he steered the party through multiple electoral cycles, consolidating its presence as a major political force in Morocco. Critics often highlight the PJD's conservative roots, ...

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Libreville, Vice-President of the Government Hermann Immongault officially handed over the provisional report of the General Population and Housing Census (GPHC) to Dieudonné Aba’a Owono, President of the Constitutional Court. This formal transfer, mandated by the High Court, marks the beginning of the regulatory phase for validating the nation's demographic statistics. The significance of this handover extends beyond administrative procedure. According to Hermann Immongault, this step is critical to certifying Gabon’s official population figures before they can be used for vital national initiatives. These newly compiled figures will serve as the backbone for major state projects. They will enable adjustments to the registry of Gabon’s economically disadvan...

A significant political moment is set to unfold in Dakar with the anticipated, albeit brief, return of Macky Sall. This marks the first such event since the transfer of power in April 2024. The former Senegalese head of state himself confirmed on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, via his social media channels, that he would be arriving in the capital this Friday, July 17, for discussions with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. While described as a short stay, the political implications of this visit extend far beyond a mere courtesy call. At the heart of the scheduled exchange lies Macky Sall's aspiration for the role of United Nations Secretary-General. The former president, who has maintained a low profile since concluding his term, aims to secure institutional backing from Dakar. Such support is co...

This week marks a significant diplomatic milestone as the French Prime Minister embarks on a two-day official visit to Morocco alongside a delegation of key ministers. The objective? To reinforce a partnership that has seen remarkable improvement after years of strained relations. a historic visit to mend diplomatic ties This marks the first international trip for the French Prime Minister since assuming office. The high-level delegation includes ministers of Foreign Affairs and Interior, signaling the importance Paris places on this relationship. The agenda features high-stakes meetings with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and counterpart ministers, alongside the signing of multiple agreements spanning economic cooperation, security, migration, an...

Dakar braces for a significant political event this Friday, July 17, 2026, as former President Macky Sall arrives for a brief but impactful visit. The purpose of his trip is a high-stakes meeting with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, marking the first direct interaction between the two leaders since the transition of power. Macky Sall took to social media to share details of the visit, revealing that discussions will center on his potential candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. While the meeting is expected to be concise, the former head of state hinted at a future, more extensive gathering in Dakar to reconnect with his political base and supporters. The timing of this visit is no coincidence. Over recent weeks, Macky Sall has been actively engaging in diplomat...

DRC National Assembly kicks off review of 2027-2030 military programming bill National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo Politics Wednesday 15 July 2026 The Democratic Republic of Congo’s National Assembly has launched the examination of the 2027-2030 military programming bill, a critical financial and strategic framework designed to modernize and strengthen the country’s armed forces. This initiative, presented by Vice Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense and Veterans Affairs Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, follows his recent official mission in Egypt and aims to address the persistent budgetary improvisation that has hindered military modernization efforts. The bill outlines six key programs to guide t...

For Chérif*, the decision to flee Senegal was not a choice—it was the only path left. Arriving in France in early June, he carried one overwhelming certainty: he could no longer stay in his home country. «I was going to get arrested,» he confesses. For weeks after the arrest of a man he had been in contact with, fear consumed him. «As soon as I saw the news in the press, the only thought in my mind was escape.» The case was high-profile—an associate of Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s former Prime Minister and now President of the National Assembly, had been detained. Sonko had spearheaded the controversial bill that, in March, doubled the prison sentence for consensual same-sex relations from five to ten years. Local media widely covered the arrests of alleged partners, fueling a climate of inte...

During her working visit to New York for the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa outlined the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) key priorities in international peace, security, and justice. In addition to addressing pressing global challenges, she reaffirmed the country’s commitment to democratic principles amid domestic political debate. defending democratic freedoms under scrutiny With opposition-led protests announced against proposed constitutional amendments, Prime Minister Suminwa delivered a carefully balanced message. “The DRC remains a democracy,” she stated, emphasizing that while peaceful assembly is a constitutional right, it must always align with national laws and public order. She stressed that national un...

Why Africa must urgently secure its pharmaceutical independenceFor decades, most African nations have relied on imported medicines to meet their healthcare needs. Dr. Arnaud Kaboré, pharmacist and health engineer, outlines a clear roadmap for public leaders to achieve pharmaceutical sovereignty by 2045.A dangerous reliance on foreign pharmaceuticalsDespite progress, fewer than five African countries operate manufacturing facilities capable of exporting beyond their borders. This leaves the continent importing 94% of its medicines at an annual cost exceeding $18 billion—a figure projected to surpass $30 billion by 2030. Beyond economic strain, this dependence exposes Africa to severe health risks.More than 70% of public health facilities report at least one critical stockout every quarter. ...

RDC strengthens detention conditions with CICR partnership Politics Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Delegation meeting between government and CICR representatives The International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR) and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have agreed to strengthen their collaboration to improve humanitarian action and detention conditions across the country, particularly in eastern DRC. This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting on July 14, 2026, between François Moreillon, H...