Politics

The debate surrounding public officials' wealth declarations has resurfaced in Senegal, with Khalifa Sall stepping forward to champion greater transparency. The former mayor of Dakar and prominent leader of Taxawu Sénégal has publicly endorsed the idea of making the asset declarations of state leaders accessible to all citizens. This stance comes at a pivotal moment when political demands for accountability are shaping governance under the new administration that emerged from the March 2024 presidential elections. Khalifa Sall backs transparency through public wealth declarations Khalifa Sall has unequivocally voiced his support for disclosing the asset declarations of public officials. For him, financial transparency among elected leaders and senior civil servants is more than a legal re...

The management of Senegal’s political funds allocated to the Prime Minister’s office has sparked a fresh debate. Investigative journalist Badara Gadiaga has accused Ousmane Sonko, the former Prime Minister, of ‘vampirism’ in the use of discretionary grants. According to his claims, out of an initial envelope of 1.77 billion CFA francs, only around 70 million remained for his successor—raising serious questions about financial accountability in the executive branch. Direct accusations against the Prime Minister’s Office This controversy centers on a sensitive mechanism in Senegalese politics: discretionary political funds, which finance sovereignty-related expenditures and ad-hoc interventions by the Prime Minister. Unlike standard budget lines, these funds operate outside traditional publ...

On a recent television appearance, political commentator Badara Gadiaga delivered a scathing critique of how political funds were managed during Ousmane Sonko’s time as Prime Minister. Speaking on a popular current affairs program, he highlighted that 142 days had passed since Sonko was dismissed from office on May 22, 2026—a period during which he claims the former premier nearly depleted the allocated 1.77 billion CFA francs earmarked for political expenses. According to Gadiaga’s assessment, Sonko left his successor, Al Aminou Lo, with a mere 70 million CFA francs remaining. Breaking down the figures, he calculated that Sonko’s administration was spending an average of 12 million CFA francs per day—an amount he described as staggering when juxtaposed with the financial struggles of stu...

Chad Chad's presidential pardon of opposition leaders: a step toward stability or just a temporary truce? Political analyst Ahmat Yacoub Dabio examines the implications of Chad’s recent pardon of opposition figures, calling it a meaningful gesture but insufficient for lasting reconciliation. — 1 min read Share ...

Politique au Sénégal : Ces très rares dirigeants de l’opposition qui investissent le terrain Les caciques de l'opposition, notamment les dirigeants affiliés au Front pour la défense de la République et de la démocratie (FDR), ne mènent aucune initiative politique de terrain. Contrairement aux dirigeants d’envergure qui guettent le moindre faux-pas de Sonko et de son rival Diomaye, Barthélémy Dias, Maguette Sène et d’autres investissent le terrain. En se démarquant des responsables de l’opposition, cantonnés à Dakar, ils affrontent le camp présidentiel et le leader de Pastef à travers des initiatives politiques. Les caciques de l’opposition, notamment les dirigeants affiliés au Front pour la défense d...

PoliticsDemocratic Republic of the Congo Congo political crisis: Tshisekedi under pressure from opposition coalition August 14, 2026August 14, 2026 In a high-stakes political maneuver, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi sends a contentious referendum bill back to Parliament for reconsideration just before an opposition coalition's deadline. The standoff between the presidency and opposition forces continues to escalate. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has entered a critical phase as President Félix Tshisekedi returns a constitutional referendum bill to Parliament for a second reading. This move comes after the Constitutional Court validated the bill with certain reservations, just days before the ultimatum set by the Article 64 coalitio...

Meet Martial Yavo, the newest General in Côte d'Ivoire’s Inner Circle Côte d'Ivoire has just witnessed a significant reshuffle in its military leadership. Martial Yavo, a figure closely aligned with political leader Charles Blé Goudé, has been appointed to a prominent military position. This move signals a strategic realignment within the country’s security apparatus. Who is Martial Yavo? Born in Abidjan, Martial Yavo has spent years cultivating a reputation as a disciplined and strategic military mind. His career has been marked by service in key operational roles, where he earned recognition for his tactical expertise and leadership. Yavo’s connection to Charles Blé Goudé dates back to their collaborative efforts during critical periods in Côte d'Ivoire’s recent history. Their partne...

On Thursday, August 13, under intense pressure from the Article 64 Coalition (C64)—a united front of major opposition parties launched in May—President Félix Tshisekedi requested parliamentary reconsideration of the bill outlining conditions for a constitutional reform referendum. The coalition has long argued that this proposal, championed by the ruling party since 2024, is a calculated move to pave the way for Tshisekedi’s potential third presidential term, which the 2006 Constitution explicitly prohibits. Just one day earlier, in Kinshasa, Dieudonné Bolengetenge, Secretary-General of Ensemble pour la République and C64 spokesperson, delivered a blunt warning: the coalition would no longer accept delays. He vowed to escalate pressure through mass mobilizations unless the presid...

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Tshisekedi yields to opposition amid rising tensionsAfrican TribuneFriday, August 14, 2026On Thursday, August 13, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) requested a parliamentary reconsideration of the law governing conditions for organizing a constitutional reform referendum. This move comes amid escalating pressure from the Article 64 Coalition (C64), a united front of major opposition political forces formed in May.The coalition argues that the proposed referendum, championed by the ruling party since 2024, is a calculated strategy to enable Tshisekedi to pursue a third term—a move prohibited by the 2006 Constitution.The day before, on August 12 in Kinshasa, Dieudonné Bolengetenge, Secretary-General of Ensemble pour la ...

Romain Chanson Moïse Katumbi Félix Tshisekedi UDPS The proposed referendum law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been formally submitted to Parliament, with President Félix Tshisekedi positioned to steer the legislative process. This strategic move places the nation’s leadership at the forefront of a critical constitutional discussion that could reshape the country’s future governance. Presidential influence in a pivotal moment President Tshisekedi’s decision to send the referendum bill to Parliament underscores his central role in shaping the nation’s political trajectory. Analysts view this development as a calculated step to consolidate executive authority while navigating the complexities of a diverse political landscape. The move comes ami...

Politique Gabon faces growing online battles over free speech and presidential criticism Reporting Team August 14, 2026 112 No comments Libreville, Friday, August 14, 2026 – As Gabon prepares to mark 66 years of independence, public discourse in the country has intensified, with institutional leaders, political figures, civil society acti...

Mawunyo Hermann Boko Senegal specialist Ousmane Sonko Bassirou Diomaye Faye Political rivalry escalates over Senegal's heritage management Tensions between Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko have reached a new peak following a dispute over the administration of national heritage assets. The disagreement has exposed deep divisions within the government, raising concerns about governance stability in the West African nation. Roots of the conflict The origins of this clash trace back to differing interpretations of heritage management policies. Bassirou Diomaye Faye has emphasized cultural preservation as a priority, advocating for stricter controls on national assets, while Ousmane Sonko ...