Politics

Just seven days into his tenure, Beninese President Romuald Wadagni is already stamping his authority on the executive branch. Having served as Economic and Finance Minister under outgoing leader Patrice Talon for two consecutive terms, the new head of state now navigates a delicate balance: upholding the economic legacy of the past decade while forging his own political identity. The early policy moves unveiled since his inauguration reflect this careful balance between loyalty to the previous administration’s achievements and a measured push for transformation. Preserving a decade of economic progress Romuald Wadagni does not disavow the fiscal strategies and structural reforms he spearheaded during his eight-year tenure at the helm of Benin’s finances. The stabilization of public accou...

Just days before the inaugural ordinary congress of the Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF), scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, Secretary-General Ousmane Sonko released an extensive statement. This significant publication outlined the movement's historical journey and articulated the ambitious goals for the upcoming assembly.   Within his comprehensive text, the former Prime Minister adopts a dual perspective. He acts as the party's founder, recounting PASTEF's origins in 2014, established « without financial resources » or « networks of influence. » Concurrently, he serves as a strategist, posing the critical question of post-electoral success. Sonko asserted that « history demonstrates political shifts can be neutralized if they lack clear doct...

Emotional farewell: Ousmane Sonko's tribute to a spiritual mentor in Touba The leader of Senegal's National Assembly paid a deeply moving homage to Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké in Touba, where his grief was visibly overwhelming. The emotional encounter underscored the profound bond between the two figures. Ousmane Sonko traveled to the spiritual heart of Touba on Friday to extend his condolences to the family of Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké, the late khalife of the Mouride Brotherhood. Witnesses described the visit as one of the most poignant moments in recent memory, as Sonko grappled with the weight of his loss. Upon arriving at the religious site, the Senegalese lawmaker was visibly shaken. When addressing the assembly of mourners, his voice trembled as he struggled to contain his ...

Publié aujourd'hui à 10h26 Lecture : 6 minutes. Fichier généré le Lire dans l’app The Conversation Assimi Goïta By Fati Seyni — Analyst

Senegal's leadership handover: Sonko cautions incoming PM Al Aminou Lo During the official transfer of duties at the Primature, outgoing Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko issued a clear warning to his successor, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, about the tough road ahead for the new government. The handover ceremony, held on Friday, marked the transition of power while highlighting the deep institutional and human ties between the two leaders. A shared vision for Senegal’s transformation In his remarks, Al Aminou Lô reflected on the professional relationship he had built with Sonko, which began in April 2024 when the outgoing leader entrusted him with responsibilities under the National Transformation Agenda. « He called on me without knowing me. I came, and he placed his trust in me, » the new Prime...

The École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in N'Djamena hosted a high-impact debate on Friday afternoon, May 29, centered on a critical topic: the role of provincial councils in fostering local development through decentralization. The event, part of the Grands rendez-vous de l’ENA, drew a packed audience of students, civil servants in training, administrators, and political stakeholders. The keynote speaker, Albert Pahimi Padacké—a seasoned politician, former Prime Minister, senator, and trained civil administrator—delivered an insightful and structured presentation. His address combined historical context with practical insights, captivating the room with a blend of realism and pedagogical clarity. He opened by expressing enthusiasm for discussing decentralization, a process he describe...

The long-anticipated political storm in Sénégal has finally broken. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has terminated the appointment of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, marking the definitive end of a partnership that had dominated the country’s governance since March 2024. The founder of the Pastef party, once the engine behind the administration, now finds himself regrouping within the parliamentary arena—a domain where his party commands a solid majority following the snap legislative elections. An executive partnership pushed to its limits The Diomaye-Sonko tandem was hailed as a groundbreaking experiment in West African politics. The president, who ascended to power after his mentor’s disqualification, had pledged to govern collaboratively. The arrangement rested on a delicate balance: i...

Sénégal: handover ceremony at primature as Al Aminou Lo takes over from Sonko A solemn transition unfolded at the Primature in Dakar this past Friday as outgoing Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko officially transferred authority to his successor, Ahmadou Al-Aminou Lo. The handover signals a new phase in national governance, with fresh priorities taking center stage. The formal handover ceremony at the Primature on May 29, 2026, marked the conclusion of Ousmane Sonko’s tenure and the official installation of Ahmadou Al-Aminou Lo as Senegal’s new head of government. The event, held in a dignified atmosphere, brought together senior officials, government members, and key staff from the Prime Minister’s office. During the proceedings, Sonko handed over critical state files to his successor, ens...

The inevitable rupture between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko has finally manifested in Sénégal. Following his removal from the executive branch, Sonko has retreated to the National Assembly to consolidate his influence. Had he been more clairvoyant, Ousmane Sonko might have recognized the National Assembly as the perfect strategic hideout to wait for the 2029 elections, particularly after the massive victory of his party, Pastef, in the November 2024 legislative polls. Instead, he likely believed that by staying close to the presidency, he could prevent Bassirou Diomaye Faye from growing too attached to the ultimate seat of power. He attempted to manage executive duties alongside Faye, who initially seemed content with a more symbolic role. However, the nature of power is...

The National Alliance for Change (ANC) has escalated its rhetoric against rumors of an impending constitutional reform in Togo, warning of a potential political maneuver rather than a genuine democratic process. In a strongly worded statement released on May 28, 2026, the party led by Jean-Pierre Fabre categorically rejected any proposal to revise the country's Constitution, dismissing it as a « political diversion » lacking broad national consensus. Why the ANC opposes constitutional changes According to the opposition coalition, any attempt to alter the Constitution would fail to address the real concerns of Togolese citizens regarding democracy and governance. Instead, they argue, such a move would primarily serve to entrench the political structure established by recent institutiona...

In Mali, the detention of pro-democracy advocate Ibrahima Tamega has cast a spotlight on the transitional government’s tightening grip on dissent, particularly regarding criticism of the country’s deepening ties with Russia. The activist, known for his vocal calls for a return to constitutional order, was taken into custody on May 23 and held at a Bamako police station in the third arrondissement. Authorities allege his involvement in the appearance of anti-Russian graffiti across the capital, a claim that has drawn sharp scrutiny from legal experts and civil society. Nearly a week after his arrest, Tamega remains in detention without formal charges, awaiting a hearing before the prosecutor in Bamako’s commune II. Under Malian law, police can hold suspects for up to 48 hours, renewable on...

The grand Sunni mosque in Ouagadougou, one of the capital’s most visited Islamic prayer sites, has been cordoned off by security forces since May 29. Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, ordered its indefinite closure citing risks to public order. Police presence around the mosque remains constant, preventing any gatherings near the premises. The decision comes at a highly sensitive time in the Muslim calendar, just before the celebration of Tabaski, locally known as Aïd al-Adha. The previous evening, hundreds of worshippers had congregated outside the mosque, demanding answers about the whereabouts of their imam, who had been missing for days. This rare display of public mobilization—uncommon since the 2022 coup—prompted swift government action. One we...