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New GIABA information centre opens in Abidjan to strengthen West African financial security The Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, officially inaugurated the new premises of the Groupe intergouvernemental d’action contre le blanchiment d’argent en Afrique (GIABA) Information Centre in Cocody, Abidjan. The handover ceremony, held on 12 August 2026, marks a significant step in Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to regional cooperation against financial crime. The facility, provided under the Host Agreement with the Ivorian government, reinforces regional efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Its establishment stems from a 2010 decision by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which led to the creation of two information centres: one in Lagos for English-spea...

Hull City has sent a clear message of intent for the upcoming Premier League season by completing the headline-grabbing acquisition of central defender Nobel Mendy from Rayo Vallecano. The East Yorkshire club confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old Senegalese international, who has penned a long-term contract after impressing in LaLiga. Club breaks its own transfer record The Tigers have shattered their previous transfer record with a deal that surpasses the recent acquisition of Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from Olympiacos, although the exact fee remains undisclosed. Mendy’s five-year contract includes an additional one-year extension option, tying him to the MKM Stadium until at least the summer of 2029. Mendy’s Premier League dream becomes reality The young defender waste...

Regional leader in migration management The Moroccan-American scholar Mohamed Daadaoui has highlighted the Kingdom’s pivotal role in preventing and controlling irregular migration flows. During a recent discussion in Washington, the professor emphasized how Morocco has established itself as a responsible regional actor and a trusted international partner, thanks to its proactive migration governance approach, widely acknowledged across the globe. Strengths of bilateral cooperation and shared responsibility Daadaoui pointed out the effectiveness of joint operations with neighboring Spain, particularly in dismantling human trafficking networks and conducting complex rescue and assistance missions at sea. Yet he also stressed the need for a balanced approach, noting that no single nation c...

Morocco’s Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, has urged the repatriation of Moroccan minors currently in Spain, including those who arrived in Ceuta during the latest migration surge. This directive follows royal instructions aimed at streamlining the identification and return process for these minors. The exact number of affected minors remains uncertain. Spanish authorities reported 1,527 unaccompanied minors in Ceuta following the recent crisis, as of the most recent data shared on August 12. However, this figure does not exclusively reflect newcomers from July 30–31; some had already been in the enclave before the migration wave. An existing agreement between Rabat and Madrid Contrary to common misconceptions, Spain’s legal framework does not prohibit the return of Moroccan minor...

The Port Autonome de Lomé (PAL) has been operating at a fraction of its capacity since early Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following a 72-hour strike initiated by its workforce. The industrial action, led by the Syndicat des agents du Port Autonome de Lomé (SYAPAL), commenced at 5:00 AM and is set to conclude at 11:59 PM on Thursday, August 13. This disruption has cast a shadow over the Togo-based port, which serves as the economic backbone of the nation, triggering concerns over lasting repercussions. Underlying grievances fueling the walkout The strike stems from long-standing frustrations among PAL employees, who are demanding urgent reforms in both their working conditions and career progression. Key among their concerns are unmet wage adjustments, irregularities in career path regulariz...

New cooperation opportunities between Madagascar and Chad An official visit by Madagascar’s Refoundation President, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, to N’Djamena marks a pivotal moment in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. During his stay on August 11, 2026, he attended the 66th anniversary celebrations of Chad’s independence at the Place de la Nation, where a grand military parade took place. Invited by Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, Colonel Randrianirina joined the festivities alongside Guinea-Bissau’s President, General Horta N’Tam. The three leaders wore military uniforms, underscoring the significance of the occasion. Economic and infrastructure collaboration takes center stage The visit was not merely ceremonial—it laid the groundwork for deeper econ...

Morocco’s Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, has once again brought up the longstanding dispute over Ceuta and Melilla, asserting that Rabat seeks formal talks with Spain regarding the sovereignty of these two enclaves, which Morocco considers integral to its territory. In a recent statement, he clarified that these claims remain a priority, embedded within a broader strategy of dialogue and strategic patience. The issue continues to surface during high-level meetings between officials from both nations, he noted. Addressing the recent surge in irregular migrant crossings into Ceuta on July 30-31, Ouahbi underscored the need for Spain to fulfill its obligations in handling and repatriating unaccompanied Moroccan minors. He also criticized Spain’s expectations for Morocco to curb irre...

After nearly a year of waiting, Malick Fofana finally stepped onto the pitch for Olympique Lyonnais in a competitive match. The 21-year-old Belgian winger, who has been sidelined since October, made his long-awaited return in the 3-0 Champions League victory over Sparta Prague. While his team secured a place in the next round, the young forward’s performance left something to be desired. From bench to spotlight — and backlash Fofana’s 80-minute appearance marked his first since October, a comeback that had been much anticipated by both fans and teammates. Yet, despite Lyon’s convincing win, not everyone was impressed by his contribution. A fellow player in the dressing room didn’t hold back, making his displeasure clear with a blunt remark: “He’s going to get it after that performance.” ...

In a bold stance against escalating verbal attacks by certain Gabonese activists abroad, civil society leader Geoffroy Foumboula Libeka Makosso has drawn a clear line between freedom of expression and harmful rhetoric. Speaking at a press conference in Libreville, he condemned recent insults targeting President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, his wife, and mother, while also urging authorities to address the ties between some activists and the government. Public debate in Gabon can be intense, but it must never cross into personal attacks, Foumboula argued. He specifically called out an activist known as Lanlaire, whose recent remarks he deemed a breach of acceptable discourse by shifting criticism from policies to personal insults against the head of state and his family. Freedom of expre...

A devastating bus collision on August 7, 2026, in Niger’s Maradi region left a chilling toll: 22 lives lost, 37 injured, and a scene of twisted metal wreckage. The incident involved two major transport operators, STM and SONITRAV. In the wake of profound public outrage, the Ministry of Transport swiftly announced the threat of “heavy sanctions,” potentially including the revocation of operating licenses. However, this display of governmental resolve appears to be a reactive measure, merely scratching the surface of deeper, systemic issues plaguing Niger’s transport sector. It deflects from critical questions regarding the laxity of public oversight, the unsustainable economic models of transport companies, and the severely outdated infrastructure across the nation.Punishing to obscure stat...

Tchad Chad’s independence day: official parades vs. daily life in N'Djamena In N'Djamena, the 66th anniversary of independence unfolded with a military parade as the sole highlight. Between economic pressures and a lack of cultural engagement, public enthusiasm remained subdued. The 11th of August 2026 marked Chad’s 66th year of independence. In N’Djamena, the only unmissable event was the annual military parade—a display of discipline and strength to commemorate the nation’s sovereignty, declared in 1960. Yet, beyond the formalities, the streets told a different story. While national flags fluttered from buildings and official speeches echoed through the city, the palpable excitement of a true national celebration was nowhere to be found. Markets bustled with act...

With tensions escalating between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Ousmane Sonko, questions arise about the potential postponement of Senegal’s local elections scheduled for January 2027. Is there substance to these concerns? What could drive the head of state to disrupt the electoral timeline? The growing rift between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Ousmane Sonko has sparked speculation about a potential delay in Senegal’s local elections, originally set for January 2027. The opposition camp, led by Sonko, accuses the President—who recently launched his own political party—of considering a disruption to the electoral calendar. But what motivates such a move? And could it be justified...