Society

In Bénin, traditional leaders hold a pivotal role in both sociocultural and institutional spheres. They serve as living embodiments of local values, traditions, and identities, while also standing as pillars of moral and cultural legitimacy (Affo, Sina, & Gnanvi, 2019).Beyond their cultural significance, their roles in conflict resolution and social cohesion have prompted legislative action. In April 2025, the Béninois government enacted Law No. 2025-09, establishing a formal legal framework for traditional chieftaincy. This landmark legislation categorizes traditional leadership structures and grants them official recognition, emphasizing their contributions to socioeconomic development, social cohesion, and cultural preservation. Under this law, 16 kingdoms and 90 traditional chiefdoms n...

Chad Military man in N'Djamena takes wife and partner to court over adultery A high-stakes moral case in Chad's capital intertwines adultery charges with a contentious dowry dispute. The court has reserved judgment after the prosecutor pressed for strict penalties and the defense argued unjust marital neglect. August 10, 2026 — 1 minute read An explosive moral dispute has rocked N'Djamena’s judicial circles after a military officer filed adultery char...

Challenges facing Cameroon's cocoa sector In the heart of Cameroon’s lush southern regions, cocoa farmers are navigating a landscape of economic uncertainty. While the global demand for cocoa remains high, local producers face mounting hurdles that threaten their livelihoods. Rising production costs, fluctuating market prices, and unpredictable weather patterns are just a few of the obstacles reshaping the industry. Small-scale farmers bear the brunt of market volatility Many of Cameroon’s cocoa farmers operate on small family-run plantations, where aging trees and outdated farming techniques further reduce yields. These producers, who form the backbone of the sector, struggle to compete with larger commercial farms that benefit from economies of scale and better access to resources. T...

Cameroon: 38 young prisoners walk free after settling debt to societyYaoundéFollowing a recent intervention in Bafoussam, 38 young detainees regained their freedom after fulfilling court-ordered financial obligations. The release was made possible through the support of the Françoise Puene Freedom Foundation, a local NGO dedicated to humanitarian and legal assistance.The beneficiaries, aged between 16 and 28, had been held in overcrowded prisons due to their inability to pay the contrainte par corps—a mandatory financial penalty imposed alongside prison sentences for minor offenses.This marks the eighth such initiative since 2014, providing critical relief to indigent individuals trapped in Cameroon’s judicial system.« Across the country, we observed that Bafoussam Central Prison was parti...

As Côte d'Ivoire celebrates its 66th Independence Day, former lawmaker Méambly Tié Évariste has shared a heartfelt message with his fellow citizens, marking both a personal and political transition. Addressing particularly the communities of Cavally, Guémon, and Tonkpi, he emphasized that national service extends far beyond political office, calling on experience, knowledge, and dedication to drive the nation’s progress. From political office to academic pursuit and entrepreneurship Méambly Tié Évariste, who previously served as a Member of Parliament for a decade, as the first President of the Guémon Regional Council, and as leader of the parliamentary group Agir pour le Peuple, reflected on how these roles shaped his commitment to public service. He expressed his deep gratitude to the I...

Tchad N'Djamena: RADEC and Moov Money Tchad elevate youth skills with professional development The Réseau des Acteurs de Développement Chrétiens (RADEC) officially inaugurated a new professional training program for young people this Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The launch event took place at the Centre Épiscopal du Tchad in N'Djamena, marking a significant step towards youth empowerment in the region.This crucial initiative, orchestrated in collaboration with Moov Money Tchad and various other organizations, is designed to significantly enhance participants' skill sets. Its overarching objectives include fostering professional integration, stimulating entrepreneurial spirit, and promoting the self-sufficiency of N'D...

Key challenges How can Cotonou’s port-area street vendors maintain sustainable livelihoods while ensuring food hygiene and safety for both sellers and customers? Initiative highlights After observing the hazardous working conditions faced by food vendors along the port access road, the Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) launched an ambitious consultation process to address hygiene and safety concerns. The outcome was the establishment of modern, weatherproof vending spaces equipped with running water and electricity. This initiative exemplifies the port authority’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility for neighboring communities. Transforming port-side food vending The Port Autonome de Cotonou has long prior...

As the spiritual fervor of the Grand Magal of Touba recedes, a different reality settles across Senegal, particularly for its dedicated civil servants. While millions celebrated the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Cheikh-Ahmadou-Bamba, a sense of unease now accompanies the return to daily routines for many in the public sector. The contrast between the profound spiritual upliftment and the persistent socio-economic challenges faced by these essential workers forms a poignant narrative within Senegalese society.The spiritual high of MagalEach year, the Grand Magal draws devotees from across the globe to Touba, commemorating the departure of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké, the revered founder of the Mouride brotherhood. It is a period marked by deep devotion, communal solidarity, and ferv...

Hunger crisis grips one in five people in the Sahel region In 2025, one out of every five residents in the Sahel faced severe food insecurity, with conditions worsening over the past 15 years. The crisis has deepened due to escalating conflicts, climate change impacts, and a critical funding shortfall, leaving millions vulnerable across West and Central Africa. Fanta Touré Diop, Regional Representative for Action Against Hunger in West and Central Africa, highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action, particularly in northern Mali where displaced populations are surging. In an exclusive interview, she emphasized the compounding effects of insecurity, environmental degradation, and financial shortages on food and nutrition security.

In Bamako, Mali, a growing demand for fresh, locally sourced, and affordable food is reshaping how consumers approach their grocery shopping. The Réseau Solidaire en Agroécologie Paysanne et Citoyenne (Resapac) has championed this shift for over a decade by fostering short supply chains and responsible consumption. Its mission? To provide urban residents with high-quality, locally grown produce while ensuring producers receive fair compensation for their labor. Building Trust Between Producers and Consumers The Resapac model thrives on transparency and collective governance. By connecting farmers, processors, and buyers directly, it eliminates unnecessary intermediaries, allowing consumers to trace the origin of their food and understand the sustainable practices behind it. This hands-on ...

Families uprooted from Kouakourou have found themselves in a cycle of uncertainty after being relocated to Mopti. Once settled in a local school, their living conditions remain far from ideal, revealing the stark challenges of displacement in central Mali. Life in Makeshift Shelters « When we arrived in Mopti, we were housed in a school,» shares one displaced resident. « We received food aid—rice, tea, sugar, oil, and powdered milk—but the gesture came from an anonymous donor, coordinated by the local authorities.» While the provisions provided temporary relief, the environment tells a different story. « Living in a school isn’t sustainable,» the resident explains. « Some sleep outside in the courtyard, and when rain falls, everyone scrambles into the classrooms. It’s unbearable. We’re o...

Grand Magal pilgrims grapple with soaring transport costs The annual spiritual migration to Touba, Senegal’s sacred heart of Mouride Islam, is underway, but this year’s Grand Magal pilgrimage is being overshadowed by a crushing financial burden: exorbitant transport fares. As dawn broke over Dakar, the Baux Maraîchers station in Pikine teemed with life, yet the usual hustle carried a sharp edge. Where a standard ticket typically ranges between 3,000 and 5,000 CFA francs, pilgrims now face prices surging to 8,000 or even 10,000 CFA francs, depending on the level of comfort—and the desperation to reach Touba. Last-minute price hikes frustrate pilgrims Fallou, a seasoned transport broker at the station, didn’t mince words. “All these vehicles are heading to Touba,” he said, gesturing towa...