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An abrupt ascent to legislative power The unexpected elevation of Ousmane Sonko to the presidency of Senegal's National Assembly has sent shockwaves through the country's political establishment. Following a rapid series of institutional maneuvers, the former opposition figure now occupies a position that grants him unprecedented influence over the legislative agenda. This development raises pressing questions about the future balance of power in Senegal. A calculated political maneuver The sequence of events unfolded with remarkable precision. Just days after his removal from prior responsibilities, Ousmane Sonko was swiftly appointed to lead the National Assembly. The resignation of the sitting president immediately following Sonko's dismissal created an opportune vacuum, allowing the o...

During the official ceremonies marking his inauguration, the newly elected President of the Republic of Bénin, Romuald Wadagni, hosted a high-level meeting with Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop. The Malian diplomat carried a message of congratulations and solidarity from Mali’s Interim President, General Assimi Goïta, underscoring the depth of relations between the two nations. A renewed commitment to partnership Held in a spirit of mutual respect, the discussions provided an opportunity to assess the state of relations between Porto-Novo and Bamako. Beyond the customary exchanges, the meeting outlined a roadmap for revitalized cooperation between Bénin and Mali amid shifting regional dynamics. The talks emphasized the importance of streng...

The Burkinabè government has taken a bold stance by halting cattle exports in the run-up to Tabaski, prioritizing local consumer needs over regional market dynamics. While the move is socially driven, its economic repercussions are far from straightforward, carrying both risks and contradictions. The uneven burden: urban relief vs rural hardship At its core, this policy aims to ease pressures on city dwellers—particularly in Ouagadougou—by driving down sheep prices for families preparing for Tabaski. Yet, the cost of this generosity falls squarely on rural livestock farmers, already grappling with insecurity, cattle theft, and shrinking grazing lands due to the ongoing security crisis. By cutting off access to lucrative export markets like Côte d'Ivoire and Bénin, where these producers t...