Politics

A French engineer has been held in Senegal for over three months following an arrest tied to his sexual orientation, as authorities in Dakar escalate enforcement of the country’s newly tightened anti-LGBTQ+ laws. arrest follows sweeping crackdown on same-sex relations On February 14, 2026, authorities in Dakar detained the man—identified locally as a 30-year-old expatriate residing in the capital—under charges including “acts against nature,” conspiracy, money laundering, and alleged HIV transmission. His arrest was part of a coordinated sweep targeting individuals suspected of same-sex conduct, a move that has intensified amid rising public hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities in the country. diplomatic intervention amid legal changes The French government has confirmed it is closely mon...

The Alliance for the Republic (APR) has voiced strong condemnation following the arrest of its member Pape Malick Ndour, as part of an ongoing case tied to the PRODAC affair. In an official statement, the party led by former President Macky Sall accused Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of orchestrating what it describes as a hostage-taking operation. The APR claims Sonko was the first to publicly announce Ndour’s detention, labeling him the mastermind behind this judicial maneuver. The party argues that the charges against Ndour stem from a disputed 2018 IGF report, despite his appointment to PRODAC only in June 2019. The APR dismisses these claims as legally unsound, insisting they serve as a flimsy pretext for judicial sequestration of an upright citizen who, it asserts, performed admirabl...

Rumors of Urgent Meeting at Ousmane Sonko’s Home Debunked as Misinformation An unverified report surfaced this morning claiming an emergency gathering had been organized by Ousmane Sonko at his residence in the Cité Keur Gorgui neighborhood. The supposed meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m., allegedly involved key members of the Pastef party, including El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, Yassine Fall, Daouda Ngom, Abass Fall, and Ayib Daffé. The context surrounding the claim suggested heightened political tensions. However, a close associate of Sonko reached out to clarify the situation, firmly denying the existence of any such meeting. According to the source, no official notice was ever issued, and the rumor appears to be entirely fabricated, circulating primarily on social media platforms...

One year on: Chad’s crackdown on dissent following Succès Masra’s arrest A full year has passed since Chad’s authorities detained and convicted Succès Masra, a prominent opposition figure and former Prime Minister, highlighting the government’s growing intolerance toward political dissent. Succès Masra, leader of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, was taken into custody at his home in N’Djamena in the early hours of May 16, 2025. His arrest followed accusations of inciting hatred and rebellion through social media posts amid intercommunal clashes in the Logone Occidental region that left dozens dead. Hours after the violence, he posted a message on social media, expressing condolences to the victims and declaring that “no Chadian life should ever be treated as insignificant.” By ...

PoliticsIvorian leader Laurent Gbagbo secures another term at PPA-CI helmParty members gathered in Abidjan overwhelmingly reaffirmed their support for the veteran politician during an ordinary congress session.Marturin ATCHA|May 15, 2026|2 min readAAASummarizeListenCommentDelegates at the African Peoples Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) ordinary congress in Abidjan delivered a strong mandate to Laurent Gbagbo, reaffirming his leadership at the helm of the party he established following his return from the International Criminal Court.During the congress held at the Treichville Cultural Center in Abidjan on May 14, the former Ivorian president received overwhelming support from nearly 3,000 delegates. This marks his continued leadership of the political movement founded in 2020, shortly after...

PoliticsOusmane Sonko gathers political leadership at Keur Gorgui residence In an unexpected move that has sparked intense speculation across Dakar, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has called an urgent meeting of his political command at his residence in the Keur Gorgui district. The gathering, scheduled for 6:00 PM local time, includes key figures from his Pastef party, such as El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, Yassine Fall, Daouda Ngom, and Abass Fall. The decision to convene this assembly at such short notice has raised eyebrows among political observers and citizens alike. Questions abound regarding the purpose behind this sudden mobilization of the party’s top brass. Some suggest it could signal a major shift in strategy, while others believe it may relate to recent political...

The PPA-CI (Parti des Peuples Africains-Côte d’Ivoire), led by former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, has issued a statement excluding several party officials and activists from attending its first ordinary congress, scheduled for 14–15 May 2026 in Abidjan. The decision follows internal disputes over disciplinary measures. Key figures, including Don Mello, Stéphane Kipré, Dali Arthur, and Armand Ouégnin, face suspensions after defying the party’s directive to abstain from the October 2025 presidential election and the 27 December 2025 legislative vote. Disciplinary actions and party cohesion In the official communiqué, the PPA-CI stressed that the suspended members would remain ineligible for the upcoming congress ‘until the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings’. The event, set to t...

A prominent advisor to Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, Matar Ndiaga Seck, has been detained by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC) following an arrest warrant issued by the Linguère police station. This move comes amid a broader investigation into alleged unnatural acts involving 22 individuals in the Djoloff region. Investigators claim to have gathered conclusive evidence linking Seck to the case, prompting his sudden arrest. The circumstances surrounding the detention have raised concerns, particularly given Seck's close ties to the Prime Minister. While details remain scarce, authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and adheres strictly to legal procedures. Key developments in the investigation The case stems from a complaint filed in the Djoloff area, ...

Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister and leader of the PASTEF/Les Patriotes party, has called an urgent meeting of his top political aides at his residence in the Cité Keur Gorgui this evening. Scheduled for 6:00 PM, the gathering comes at a pivotal moment for Senegal, with the nation facing internal coalition strains and the approaching electoral calendar. The agenda remains undisclosed, but insiders indicate the session will focus on two critical fronts: assessing the impact of the Diomaye Président coalition’s recent nationwide mobilizations—particularly following the Mbour rally—and strategizing to counter mounting opposition criticism. Additionally, Sonko is expected to address the upcoming party leadership renewal, announced just last night. Confirmed attendees for this high-level gatheri...

At the Treichville cultural center, the air was thick with anticipation as Laurent Gbagbo’s political movement, the Parti des Peuples Africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), convened its latest congress. The outcome was never in doubt: the former president’s re-election as party leader was a foregone conclusion, sealed by acclamation rather than suspense. Party insiders had already tipped the scales days earlier. "By the end of the day, the leader will be re-elected—and everyone will be satisfied," remarked one PPA-CI official ahead of the May 14 gathering. The prediction proved accurate. With no real opposition and Gbagbo himself absent from the opening session, the stage was set for a show of unity rather than debate. Unanimous re-election despite absence The congress unfolded under a ban...

Breaking news: emergency meeting held at Ousmane Sonko’s home in Dakar In a move that has sparked intense speculation, Ousmane Sonko has called an urgent meeting of key party officials at his residence in the Cité Keur Gorgui neighborhood of Dakar. Scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. this Friday, the gathering comes at a pivotal moment as the Pastef party prepares for its upcoming June congress. The hastily arranged session has drawn attention from political observers, particularly as it includes several prominent members of the Pastef leadership. Among those expected to attend are veteran party strategists El Malick Ndiaye, Birame Souleye Diop, Yassine Fall, Daouda Ngom, and Abass Fall, alongside Ayib Daffé. The participation of multiple ministers and senior officials underscores the gra...

Laurent Gbagbo remains at the helm of his Ivorian political party After initially signaling his intention to step down, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has been re-elected as leader of the Parti des peuples africains - Côte d'Ivoire (PPA-CI) during the party’s first ordinary congress. Now 80 years old, Gbagbo, who led Côte d'Ivoire from 2000 to 2011, continues to command strong support from his base despite the party’s recent electoral challenges. An unexpected re-election amid political setbacks Gbagbo’s re-election comes at a challenging time for the PPA-CI. The party, which did not endorse any candidate in the October 2025 presidential election, boycotted the subsequent legislative elections in December. As a result, the party currently holds no seats in the National As...