Top Stories

Un mémorandum confidentiel de l’AIEA datant de 2009 révélait que l’uranium congolais partait vers la Chine via les exportations de cobalt. Quinze ans plus tard, aucune mesure diplomatique n’a été prise. Entre 2000 et 2024, la RDC aurait exporté entre 2 000 et 5 000 tonnes d’uranium non déclarées, exposant les failles du contrôle nucléaire international. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

Gabon’s public debt continues its relentless climb, with projections indicating it will soar to 94.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027. This upward trend, set in motion during the transitional leadership and later reinforced under President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, pushes the nation perilously close to the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) convergence threshold of 70% of GDP. Debt escalation raises alarms among financial partners The accelerating pace of Gabon’s debt accumulation sharply contrasts with the fiscal discipline pledges made to multilateral lenders. Despite steady revenue from its oil sector and a rebound in manganese prices—where Gabon ranks among the world’s top producers—the government struggles to allocate sufficient funds for debt reducti...

The extractive industries of Gabon kicked off 2026 with mixed results. Overall sector activity shrank by 2.9%, driven primarily by a downturn in hydrocarbons, while the manganese sector maintained its upward momentum. This assessment, based on findings from the sectoral economic outlook report by the Directorate-General for Economy and Fiscal Policy (DGEPF), highlights Gabon’s lingering structural dependence on its oil sector for economic stability. A shrinking Gabonese extractive sector weighed down by oil decline The hydrocarbon sector’s decline has cast a long shadow over Gabon’s extractive industries. In Libreville, crude production has faltered for several quarters due to aging mature fields, prolonged maintenance at key facilities, and upstream investment that struggles to offset the...

The Union Saint-Gilloise secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Norwegian champions Bodo Glimt in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, played in Ostend. The Belgians now face a daunting task to advance after conceding three goals from set-pieces. An intense opening to the tie The match began with an early setback as Norwegian forward Berg struck from a free-kick in the 20th minute. However, Union striker Florucz quickly restored parity just five minutes later. The visitors reclaimed the lead through Blomberg’s penalty before half-time, only for Florucz to equalize once again in stoppage time. In the closing stages, Union captain David Hubert put his side ahead with a composed finish in the 88th minute. Yet Bodo Glimt’s Bjortuft leveled the contest just one minu...

Investigation uncovers civilian casualties in alleged military operation A recent investigation by Human Rights Watch has cast serious doubt on the claims surrounding airstrikes conducted by Africa Corps in the town of Kyrnia, located in Mali’s Mopti region. The strikes, which took place on June 15, resulted in the tragic loss of eight civilian lives. The findings contradict earlier assertions made by Mali’s military partners, who had suggested that only armed combatants affiliated with the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) were targeted. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher specializing in the Sahel for Human Rights Watch, spearheaded this critical inquiry. Her detailed findings were later discussed in a dedicated segment focused on African affairs, providing further transpa...

The stakes couldn't be higher for Olympique Lyonnais. With a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, the club now faces the daunting task of navigating the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Failure to advance past Sparta Prague would relegate them to the Europa League, a scenario the players and fans alike are desperate to avoid. Paulo Fonseca’s squad kicks off their European campaign on Tuesday evening at 20:00 local time in the Czech capital, where the pressure to perform will be immense. Lyon’s lineup faces significant challenges before the whistle blows. Defensive absences loom large with Moussa Niakhaté and Nicolas Tagliafico serving suspensions, while Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc remain unavailable due to fitness concerns. Adding to the complications, Felix Bacher, th...

An explosive TikTok livestream has ignited nationwide discussions after a prominent gospel artist publicly shredded her passport. Noélie Elykem’s dramatic gesture, broadcast from the United States, has transcended mere digital spectacle to expose deep societal fractures over modern dissent, especially within the Togolese diaspora. The singer’s fiery denunciation of President Faure Gnassingbé’s administration through the symbolic destruction of her identity document has sent shockwaves across Togo and neighboring countries. Supporters view the act as a raw, unfiltered expression of frustration against decades of governance failures, while critics condemn it as an inappropriate attack on national sovereignty. ADVERTISING Legal realities vs. digital defiance: What does passport destruction...

Diplomatic milestone: Gabon's president strengthens ties with Côte d'Ivoire By Editor-in-Chief August 4, 2026 52 No comment Libreville, August 4, 2026 — Following stops in Accra, Banjul, and Freetown, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s West African tour reaches a pivotal moment in Abidjan. The visit underscores the deepening diplomatic ties between Libreville and Abidjan, now solidified by a...

Olympique Lyonnais will open their 2026-2027 season in style on Tuesday, August 4, as they kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign against Sparta Prague in the third qualifying round. This early European encounter marks Lyon’s first step back into the continent’s elite competition after a season-long absence. Olympique Lyonnais seek strong start in Prague The Rhône-Alpes side, fresh off a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 last term, will face a stern test in the Czech capital. Despite a shaky preseason that culminated in a 4-0 friendly defeat to Betis on July 29, Paulo Fonseca’s men arrive with seven new signings, including Loïs Openda and Julien Duranville, aiming to prove their readiness for the challenges ahead. First of many battles for Lyon this summer A positive result in Prague...

In a gathering that blended tradition with modern diplomacy, Gabon and China marked the 99th founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the Chinese embassy in Libreville. The event underscored not only the historical ties between the two nations but also the depth of their ongoing partnership, coinciding with the 52nd year since diplomatic relations were established. The Chinese ambassador to Gabon, Zhou Ping, highlighted the significance of this milestone during his address. He revealed that President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been invited to China in November by his counterpart, Xi Jinping, to further strengthen bilateral relations. The ambassador also reflected on the PLA’s journey, emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping China’s national development and socia...