Politics

The political party Les Patriotes held a press conference this Wednesday, May 13, at its headquarters in the Bololo district of the second arrondissement of N’Djamena. The party’s spokesperson, Hisseine Abdoulaye, described the current situation as a « politically and security-wise chaotic crisis » while condemning what he termed an unjust conviction of eight political party leaders from the former Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP). Burgeoning violence and instability across Chad The party highlighted Chad’s growing instability, marked by a surge in Boko Haram attacks in the Lac Province and escalating intercommunal clashes in the east and south of the country. Recent military offensives in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria reportedly resulted in the deaths of 23 soldie...

Security outsourcing fails in Mali after major jihadist onslaught Dakar, Mali — Recent coordinated attacks by armed groups in northern Mali have exposed the limitations of the government's security outsourcing strategy, according to a new analysis from the Timbuktu Institute, a Senegal-based African research center for peace. The April 25 assaults, which resulted in the death of Defense Minister General Sadio Camara and the fall of Kidal to insurgents, were carried out by a coalition of jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM, linked to al-Qaeda) and separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). The assaults raise critical questions about Mali's security partnerships with Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as well as the shifting dynamics wit...

News Politics Chad opposition warns of shrinking political freedoms after GCAP trials The recent eight-year prison sentences handed down to eight opposition leaders from the GCAP coalition on May 8, 2026, have triggered sharp condemnation across Chad’s political spectrum. Opposition figures argue this judicial ruling signals a dangerous erosion of public liberties and sets a troubling precedent for the nation’s democratic climate. Political analysts and opposition members view the convictions as a deliberate effort to suppress dissent and weaken critical voices within the country. They contend that the trials were not conducted with the transparency expected in a democratic society, raising serious questions about the integrity of Ch...

In Chad, significant questions are emerging regarding the trajectory of the GCAP organization following the recent condemnation of eight of its leading figures. This development places the future of GCAP at a critical juncture, prompting widespread discussion on its operational capacity and strategic direction. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

In Dakar, economists, policymakers, and financial experts have gathered for a pivotal two-day conference examining Sénégal's mounting debt burden and exploring alternatives to stringent austerity measures. The event, titled "Sénégal’s Debt Crisis: Toward Sustainable and Progressive Solutions Beyond IMF Austerity", aims to dissect the root causes of the country’s financial challenges while proposing viable pathways forward. Critics slam the IMF’s role in perpetuating debt traps The conference has become a platform for sharp criticism of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with economists like Ndongo Samba Sylla arguing that the institution exacerbates rather than resolves debt crises. As Regional Director for Africa at the International Development Economics Associates (Ideas), Sylla...

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has announced a major restructuring of the Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix (RHDP), Côte d'Ivoire’s ruling party, to tighten discipline within its ranks. reforms aimed at strengthening party cohesion During a high-level meeting held in Abidjan on May 7, President Ouattara outlined plans to introduce new governance structures within the RHDP. The reforms include the creation of a disciplinary council, a general inspection unit, and a strategic oversight committee—all designed to enforce internal party rules and improve operational efficiency. According to insiders familiar with the discussions, these changes reflect the President’s commitment to enhancing transparency and reducing internal divisions that have occasional...

The alleged withdrawal of the official decree recognizing Togbui Adjikou Lanklivi 1er as traditional leader of Adakpamé Kpota-Colas in Lomé’s Golfe 1 district continues to ignite heated debates across customary, administrative, and political circles in Togo. For days, the issue has dominated conversations on social media and in public forums, blending legal questions, protocol concerns, and debates over traditional authority. Multiple local sources suggest the Ministry of Territorial Administration has revoked the official recognition previously granted to the local chief. Though no official statement has been issued, the presumed decision has already sparked a wave of interpretations and reactions. protocol dispute fuels controversy The heart of the matter appears to be a New Year’s gre...

The relationship between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has become a focal point of intense scrutiny from the opposition. Abdou Mbow, a key figure in the Takku Wallu parliamentary group and a member of the Alliance for the Republic (APR), has publicly framed the situation as a political tug-of-war compounded by an institutional crisis. The assessment, delivered by a prominent member of the party led by former President Macky Sall, seeks to highlight the conflicting signals emerging from the highest echelons of Senegal’s executive branch over recent weeks. Executive tensions: a partnership under strain Elected on a shared platform of systemic change in March 2024, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko were until recently hailed as a dynamic du...

The dissolution of Côte d’Ivoire’s Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. On May 6, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced the drastic measure, declaring that « a new era is beginning » and vowing to ensure « lasting peaceful elections » in the country. Why was the CEI dissolved? The decision follows months of escalating tensions between the executive branch and opposition groups. The CEI had become a contentious focal point, repeatedly criticized by opposition figures for alleged bias in favor of the ruling party. Accusations of manipulation and lack of transparency in electoral processes had fueled distrust among political stakeholders. Government officials framed the dissolution as a necessary step to « restore credibil...

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, President Faure Gnassingbé, serving as the President of the Council and supreme commander of the armed forces, journeyed to the front lines of Operation Koundjoaré, situated in the far northern reaches of Togo. This critical expedition, undertaken amidst the looming threat of violent extremism encroaching upon the Savanes region and the pressing need to invigorate battle-weary troops engaged in a protracted conflict, brought him perilously close to the danger zone. It was a visit where every moment held profound significance, punctuated by the throbbing sound of helicopter blades cutting through a silence heavy with potential threats. Within this volatile border area, where the arid dust of the Harmattan gradually yields to the oppressive heat of May, the frontier...

The political movement ADCI has vocally criticized the travel prohibition imposed on its president, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine. He was prevented from boarding a flight to Canada on May 11, 2026. In an official statement, the party expressed its astonishment at this unnotified measure, interpreting it as a deliberate act of political humiliation and demanding clear explanations regarding this restriction, which they deem a violation of fundamental rights and human dignity.On Monday, May 11, 2026, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who leads the political movement Aujourd’hui et Demain la Côte d’Ivoire (ADCI), faced an unexpected travel ban while preparing for a political mobilization tour in North America. This incident follows an earlier development on Thursday, April 23, 2026, when Deputy Prosecutor Abo...