Politics

Paul Biya's return to Cameroon after months away stirs public interestAFPThursday, August 20, 2026, 1:16 PM UTC2 min readAdd Yahoo as your preferred source to see our articles on Google.Midday on Thursday, August 20, Paul Biya, accompanied by his wife Chantal and their entourage, was airborne aboard a private Boeing jet registered P4-CLA. Their departure from Geneva set the stage for a highly anticipated return to Yaoundé, expected later that afternoon.Observers note that Cameroon’s ruling RDPC party has mobilized its supporters to orchestrate a warm welcome for the long-absent president. Authorities have also staged the event meticulously, with the national broadcaster CRTV deploying over 200 staff to cover every moment—from the presidential jet’s landing to the 22-kilometer motorcade to ...

Amadou Ba reveals explosive details of Aminata Touré's call to Ousmane Sonko During a press briefing, Pastef-Les Patriotes deputy Amadou Ba disclosed what he describes as the 'true account' of conversations between Ousmane Sonko and former Prime Minister Aminata Touré, which occurred while the current head of government was imprisoned. At a Pastef-Les Patriotes press conference, deputy Amadou Ba presented what he called the 'full truth' regarding alleged phone conversations between Ousmane Sonko and Aminata Touré during the period when the current Prime Minister, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was incarcerated. This revelation comes amid Pastef's defense of the government's financial management amid mounting controversy. According to Ba, Aminata Touré reportedly expressed harsh criticism of...

The political landscape in Senegal has been stirred by a recently adopted bill that mandates greater transparency for high-ranking officials. The legislation, which passed with 133 out of 165 votes in the National Assembly, requires the President, Prime Minister, and National Assembly President to declare their assets at the start and end of their terms—a constitutional requirement since 2001 that is now being enforced more strictly. This move has drawn praise from the Pastef, the party of Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly. “Passing this law demonstrates our commitment to transparency in public governance,” stated Ansoumana Sambou, a member of the party’s National Communication Secretariat. “It allows citizens to monitor their leaders’ wealth, curbing illicit enrichment an...

The uneasy calm that settled over Kinshasa for the past month was shattered this week as the ultimatum issued to President Félix Tshisekedi to convene a national dialogue expired on August 15. The Congolese head of state has since announced plans to address the nation on Sunday, outlining the framework of the proposed dialogue. Meanwhile, the C64 opposition coalition has called for nationwide demonstrations on September 15, raising concerns about a potential escalation in political hostilities. What unravelled over the past 30 days? After weeks of reduced confrontation, political tempers flared again when the opposition alliance C64 set a 30-day deadline for President Tshisekedi to initiate a comprehensive national dialogue. The ultimatum elapsed without concrete action, prompting the co...

PolitiquePrésidentielle américaine. Les démocrates démarreront les primaires 2028 en Caroline du SudExit l'Iowa et le New Hampshire, le Parti démocrate a choisi samedi de désigner la Caroline du Sud comme premier Etat à voter aux primaires pour la présidentielle de 2028. Un choix censé mieux représenter la diversité des électeurs. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

More than 40 journalists from both public and private media outlets in Burkina Faso have recently completed a military training program mandated by the ruling junta. Described by authorities as a patriotic immersion exercise, this initiative is set to become an annual requirement for media professionals in the country. The move follows last year's controversial decision to impose a similar program on high school graduates seeking university admission. However, this latest development has sparked significant concern among press freedom advocates, particularly given the country's ongoing conflict with jihadist groups. Journalists in Burkina Faso already face mounting pressure from authorities, as highlighted by the continued detention of Serge Oulon, who was abducted in Ouagadougou two year...

Journalists in Burkina Faso undergo mandatory military immersion as authorities tighten control Forty-four journalists from Burkina Faso have recently completed a six-day military training program described as a patriotic immersion, organized by the Ministry of Security at the Pabré Police Academy, located about 20 kilometers from Ouagadougou. This unprecedented requirement, imposed by the military-led government under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, applies to both public and private media outlets and aligns with the declared war effort against Islamist militant groups linked to Al-Qaïda and the Islamic State, which have plagued the country for over a decade. A video shared on social media by the national broadcaster RTB showed the participants—men and women dressed in military fatigues and hol...

African PoliticsTshisekedi's Libreville visit revives Gabon-DRC strategic bondLibreville, Saturday 15 August 2026 — The arrival of Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in Libreville marks more than a diplomatic courtesy call; it signals a renewed chapter in Central African relations.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s president began a three-day working and goodwill visit on 15 August 2026, greeted at the airport by his Gabonese counterpart, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The warm reception extending beyond official halls—including a public greeting in the streets of Libreville—underscored the depth of ties between the two nations.Gabon and the DRC share deep historical, cultural, and diplomatic bonds that now form the foundation for stronger regional cooperation. With Africa’s global position...

Damien Glez Political cartoonist and columnist 2025 Cameroon presidential election Justice delayed: The unresolved cases of Cameroon’s post-election detainees Years after Cameroon’s fiercely contested 2025 presidential election, the judicial system remains mired in controversy over the prolonged trials of dozens of detainees. Legal experts and human rights advocates warn that the delays are eroding public trust in the country’s institutions. Why are these trials dragging on? Several factors contribute to the snail-paced proceedings. Court backlogs, procedural hurdles, and logistical challenges have turned what should have been swift legal resolutions into years-long ordeals. Critics argue that the inefficiencies disproportionately affect mar...

The skies over Gabon today reflect more than just weather—they mirror a nation shedding its troubled past and embracing a forward-looking vision. The evidence is undeniable: bold actions, groundbreaking achievements, and an unwavering political resolve that echoes the rising aspirations of a people demanding greater progress with each passing day. From political transition to constitutional renewal On the evening of August 30, 2023, the nation’s collective hopes were palpable—and none were disappointed. The successful completion of a political transition culminated in the adoption of a new constitution through a national referendum. This historic shift established the foundations of the Fifth Republic, anchoring a presidential system and paving the way for pivotal elections in 2025: presi...

The collaboration between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was initially framed around a shared commitment to prevent the Executive from stepping outside the jurisdiction of the High Council of the Judiciary—despite clear promises made during their campaign.During their partnership, applications for key leadership positions went unaddressed, even though such appointments were explicitly outlined in their joint program. Additionally, while both leaders vowed to repeal the amnesty law, it remained unchanged throughout their tenure.Most notably, political funds were distributed without scrutiny, despite the existence of a reform proposal to regulate such allocations—one that required only a simple parliamentary majority to pass, which they secured months after ...

Tchad: presidential pardon sparks cautious optimism among opposition leaders The Tchadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby, has issued a decree granting a full pardon to Succès Masra, a prominent opposition figure and former Prime Minister, who had been serving a 20-year prison sentence for over a year. This sweeping measure also extends to eight other opposition leaders, absolving them of all remaining penalties. While the government frames the decision as a step toward easing political tensions, analysts and political actors remain skeptical. Many view it as a strategic move designed to alleviate pressure without fully reintegrating opposition leaders into the electoral process. Analysts highlight the limits of presidential clemency Ahmat Yacoub Dabio, a conflict resolution expert and ...