Friday, October 2

Top Stories

Refugee women in Chad face violence and healthcare gaps
Top Stories

Refugee women in Chad face violence and healthcare gaps

Refugee women in Chad confront violence and healthcare shortages The humanitarian crisis in Chad continues to deepen, with over 1.3 million refugees and returnees—primarily women and children—seeking shelter in a country already grappling with extreme poverty and an underfunded healthcare system. This alarming situation was highlighted during a recent assessment mission in the eastern region of the country. Sudan’s conflict fuels violence against women and girls Andrew Saberton, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations agency overseeing sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA), recently visited critical areas in eastern Chad, including Abéché, Adré in the Ouaddaï region, and the Iridimi refugee camp—all situated more than 1,000 kilometers from the capital, N’Djamena. His observatio...
Senegal’s debt and reforms on the agenda after IMF talks
Top Stories

Senegal’s debt and reforms on the agenda after IMF talks

Senegal's economic future hinges on IMF discussions on debt and reforms Following a pivotal meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has highlighted critical discussions surrounding debt management and economic reforms. While the talks signal progress, Senegal continues to await concrete outcomes from its financial program amid a volatile global economic landscape. Key takeaways from the IMF-Senegal dialogue During a recent encounter on the sidelines of the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, President Faye engaged with Kristalina Georgieva to address pressing economic priorities. The IMF chief emphasized the importance of debt sustainability and transparency in Senegal’s economic strat...
Mali faces blackout after terror attacks on power lines; JNIM escalates threats
Top Stories

Mali faces blackout after terror attacks on power lines; JNIM escalates threats

The weekend of May 10-11, 2026, will be remembered as a dark chapter in Mali’s energy crisis. Near the Baoulé forest in the Kayes region, militants from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) demolished multiple high-voltage power towers in a calculated strike. The attack unfolded under the watch of a Russian partner force, the Africa Corps, whose effectiveness has come under increasing scrutiny as the security situation deteriorates. Bamako struggles under extreme heat and blackout As record-breaking heat waves push temperatures past 45°C, the capital Bamako is suffocating—literally. The destruction of power infrastructure has plunged entire neighborhoods into darkness, cutting off electricity for cooling systems and water pumps. With the electric grid crippled, hospitals ...
Norwegian development minister visits Dakar for key talks with senegalese officials
Top Stories

Norwegian development minister visits Dakar for key talks with senegalese officials

Key diplomatic discussions during Norwegian minister’s visit to DakarThe Norwegian Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, conducted an official two-day visit to Dakar from May 3 to 4, 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties with Senegal.High-level meetings with Senegalese leadershipDuring his visit, Minister Aukrust held critical discussions with key Senegalese officials, including:Cheikh Niang, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad;Elhadj Abdourahmane Diouf, Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition;Abdourahmane Sarr, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation;El Malick Ndiaye, President of the National Assembly.Addressing regional and global prioritiesThe meetings focused on pressing regional issues, p...
The Sahel: escalating crisis fuels debate on negotiating with jihadist groups
Top Stories

The Sahel: escalating crisis fuels debate on negotiating with jihadist groups

Following the coordinated assaults on April 25 and 26 across Bamako, Kati, Gao, Sévaré, and Kidal, a long-standing taboo topic has re-entered Mali's security discourse: should discussions be initiated with jihadist organizations? Given the significant scale of the offensive, jointly executed by Jnim (Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin), an Al-Qaïda affiliate, and the Tuareg rebels of the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA), numerous analysts and observers now contend that a purely military approach has reached its limits.The offensive has spread with unprecedented speed throughout Mali, from its northern to southern regions. Armed factions launched multiple synchronized attacks targeting military forces and symbols of authority in at least six cities, reaching the outskirts of Bamako. F...
Red star vs rodez play-off schedule and tv broadcast details
Top Stories

Red star vs rodez play-off schedule and tv broadcast details

Red Star vs Rodez: match time, date, and where to watch the Ligue 1 playoff clash Red Star, finishing fourth in Ligue 2’s regular season, now faces a high-stakes playoff journey to secure promotion to Ligue 1. Their campaign begins with a decisive showdown against Rodez this Tuesday, May 12th. Here’s everything you need to know about kickoff time and TV coverage. When does the Red Star vs Rodez playoff match kick off? The highly anticipated clash is slated for 8:30 PM local time on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026. Both teams will battle it out on the pitch under the stadium lights, with every moment counting in this knockout-style encounter. Where to watch the Red Star vs Rodez playoff match live? Football fans can catch the action unfold on beIN Sports 1, which will broadcast the match...
Tchad crackdown on opposition raises alarms over shrinking political freedoms
Top Stories

Tchad crackdown on opposition raises alarms over shrinking political freedoms

Tchad: opposition leaders face harsh prison sentences amid growing authoritarian drift In Chad, the recent sentencing of eight opposition figures from the GCAP coalition to eight years in prison has sparked sharp criticism from political leaders and civil society. The verdict, delivered on May 8, 2026, is seen as a troubling escalation in the government’s crackdown on dissent. Opposition groups argue that the judicial process violated basic fair trial standards, with many describing the ruling as politically motivated. While some activists expected such a harsh outcome, others warn it signals a dangerous erosion of democratic norms in the country. Alifa Younous Mahamat, Europe coordinator for the Parti socialiste sans frontière (PSF), condemned the trial as a sham, asserting that the ju...
Florian Thauvin previews lens vs PSG clash and discusses his future
Top Stories

Florian Thauvin previews lens vs PSG clash and discusses his future

On Wednesday at 9 PM CET, the stage is set at Stade Bollaert for a high-stakes Ligue 1 showdown between Lens (currently 2nd) and Paris Saint-Germain (1st). The match, originally scheduled for the 29th matchday, has been postponed, but the anticipation remains electric. Florian Thauvin, Lens’s 33-year-old forward, shared his thoughts on the upcoming duel and the broader context of Ligue 1 and the French national team ahead of the clash. Thauvin: "we’re united to deliver a thrilling football spectacle" With the stakes different from earlier in the season, what drives you for this match? If you’re not motivated to face Paris Saint-Germain, you shouldn’t be playing football at all. This is a must-win game, even if the title race seems predictable. It’s the top two teams facing off—our passion...
Algeria’s sonelgaz advances Chad’s energy independence with 50 mw plant
Top Stories

Algeria’s sonelgaz advances Chad’s energy independence with 50 mw plant

Following a three-day technical exchange in N’Djamena, Algeria’s Sonelgaz International delegation concluded its official visit to the Republic of Chad with a farewell dinner hosted by the country’s Minister of Water and Energy. The event, held in a prominent city hotel, celebrated the close ties between the two nations while highlighting the progress of a landmark energy project. The evening featured a vibrant showcase of local traditions, including traditional dances and a shared buffet, underscoring the warmth of Chad’s hospitality. As part of the festivities, a ceremonial cake-cutting ritual symbolized the shared vision of enhanced energy cooperation. Over the course of their visit, the Sonelgaz International team, alongside Chadian officials, conducted on-site inspections of the pro...
Tchad trains 100 young people in responsible digital citizenship
Top Stories

Tchad trains 100 young people in responsible digital citizenship

In N'Djamena, Chad is taking a bold step to equip its youth with the tools to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. A pioneering workshop, bringing together 100 young people, has kicked off with a clear mission: to promote digital citizenship and combat misinformation. The initiative, backed by both government agencies and non-governmental organizations, underscores the nation's commitment to fostering a safer, more informed online environment for its citizens. The training program, titled « Building a Responsible Digital Ecosystem for Chad’s Youth », is designed to empower participants with the skills needed to navigate social media and digital platforms without falling prey to manipulation or disinformation. Organized in collaboration with local and international partners, the wor...
Kemi Seba extradition case: assessing security fears in Bénin
Top Stories

Kemi Seba extradition case: assessing security fears in Bénin

As the extradition process unfolds in Pretoria, activist Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, widely recognized as Kemi Seba, continues to make bold claims. The dual national (French-Béninois) recently appeared before a South African court, where he alleged that returning to Bénin would put his life at risk. However, when examining both legal realities and recent developments, his defense strategy seems less like a genuine concern and more like a delaying tactic. In Pretoria, the courtroom was set for a dramatic spectacle. Kemi Seba, known for his provocative media statements, now portrays himself as a man fighting for survival. He argued before the judge that stepping foot in his home country would amount to a death sentence. Yet, this claim clashes sharply with undeniable legal facts: Bén...