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The governments of Senegal and Gambia have reached a landmark agreement to resolve their long-standing border dispute through a consensual demarcation. This decision, announced by the joint Senegal-Gambia permanent secretariat, follows weeks of heightened tensions triggered by a military incident near the Bulock area. Diplomatic efforts restore calm along shared border Guided by directives from both presidential offices, the border commissions prioritized dialogue and mutual understanding to achieve this breakthrough. Joint border reinforcement operations will resume on August 15 across identified sections, signaling a revival of a process that has been underway for years. July incident tested relations, but dialogue prevailed On July 16, Gambia accused Senegalese troops of dismantling p...

The historic meeting between Gabon's Head of State, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio at Freetown's State House marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing state visit initiated on August 2. The primary objective was to deepen the Libreville-Freetown economic axis and reinforce Gabon's strategic presence in West Africa. This corridor, known for its economic dynamism, could serve as a blueprint for Central Africa, where regional integration efforts often face bureaucratic hurdles. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, laying the groundwork for a long-term partnership centered on shared progress and mutual prosperity. This diplomatic milestone signifies a new chapter in Gabon-Sierra Leone relation...

Football UEFA Champions League Olympique Lyonnais Paulo Fonseca's bold outlook ahead of OL's Champions League qualifier As Olympique Lyonnais prepares to face Sparta Prague in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, head coach Paulo Fonseca has emphasized the monumental significance of securing a place in Europe's elite competition for his team. Are you fully prepared for this crucial match? This pre-season was notably shorter than usual, yet we feel ready. We've put in excellent wor...

Bodø/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen entered the press room at KVDO Arena in Ostend, its seats mostly vacant, with a clear objective in mind. "We’re facing a very strong team," he admitted, speaking before the crucial third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. "Their style is physical and direct. We’ve studied their strengths and weaknesses, but we also have our own identity to bring to the pitch. Our strategy is built on control, and we intend to dictate the pace of the game." Knutsen, who has led the Norwegian side since early 2018, stressed that his team will not revert to defensive tactics, regardless of the opponent or venue. "We play offensively both home and away. That won’t change against Union Saint-Gilloise. We aim to take the initiative from the first whistle." From ...

Como’s Champions league campaign this season could be significantly impacted by UEFA’s squad registration rules. The Serie A newcomer may only be able to field between 16 and 17 players per match, a limitation stemming from an insufficient number of locally trained footballers in their squad.The issue revolves around UEFA’s Article 31, which permits clubs to register a maximum of 17 non-locally developed players in their list A squad. The remaining eight spots must be filled by players trained within the same national association—Italy, in Como’s case. This constraint poses a challenge for manager Cesc Fàbregas, whose recruitment strategy has heavily favored international talent.Infrastructure gaps hamper squad depthFàbregas addressed the dilemma in a late July press conference, emphasizin...

On August 2, 2026, Burkina Faso’s delegation arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan, to compete in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) 2026. This elite global contest brings together top young talent in AI from across the world. Following rigorous national selections and intensive training in machine learning, two young innovators from Burkina Faso—Pascaline Lompo and Madina Toé—will represent their nation. They are led by Team Leader Ariel Shadrac Ouédraogo. This high-stakes competition gives the Burkina Faso team a chance to test their skills against peers from every continent, while showcasing the nation’s growing strength in artificial intelligence. More than just a contest, the IOAI serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking among studen...

The recent transition to a fifth Republic in Lomé, though hailed by officials as a milestone, has done little to alleviate the deepening economic and social crisis gripping Togo. Despite the fanfare surrounding institutional reforms and infrastructure upgrades, the harsh reality on the ground tells a different story—one marked by financial instability and widespread hardship. For decades, the country has relied heavily on financial infusions from regional development banks and international donors to fuel its economic ambitions. Yet, the promised returns on these massive investments have failed to materialize, leaving the local economy in a state of stagnation. While the port of Lomé is often showcased as a symbol of progress, the tangible benefits for ordinary citizens—such as job creati...

Diplomatic exchanges between Mauritania and Morocco have intensified in recent weeks, with high-level talks in Dakar reigniting long-standing sensitivities over the Western Sahara issue. The meetings, held on the sidelines of a regional forum, brought together key officials from both nations to address shared concerns and strategic interests. Diplomatic momentum in the Sahel The discussions in Dakar highlighted the renewed engagement of Mauritania and Morocco in West African diplomacy, particularly as regional stability remains a priority. Officials from both countries emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing security challenges and economic opportunities across the Sahara and beyond. Key takeaways from the talks The meetings underscored several critical points of alignment...

Plastic pollution: a growing challenge in N’Djamena Every day, plastic bags, bottles, and packaging pile up across the streets, gutters, and wastelands of N’Djamena. While these materials provide convenience for consumers, they have become one of the capital’s most pressing environmental concerns. Recent observations indicate that N’Djamena alone generates approximately 20,000 tons of plastic waste annually, with the average resident discarding four to five plastic items daily. Despite this staggering volume, only a fraction of these plastics is collected, and an even smaller portion is recycled. This gap highlights a critical question: why has plastic recycling struggled to gain momentum in Chad? The primary hurdle lies in the absence of an organized system for selective waste collectio...

Olympique Lyonnais takes to the road Tuesday evening to face Sparta Prague in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League's third qualifying round. The clash marks the official kickoff of France's top-flight clubs in the 2026-2027 European campaign. Here’s everything you need to know about tuning in to the action. The Czech side, runners-up in their domestic league last season and just four points adrift of Slavia Prague, reached the group stage in 2024 before advancing all the way to the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 this year. Should either team fall short, they’ll drop into next season’s UEFA Europa League. Sparta Prague, fresh off a win and a loss to start their league slate, has struggled historically at this stage, with four eliminations in their last five attempts. Meanw...

Le corridor économique reliant Douala à Bangui vient de franchir une étape décisive avec l'annonce d'un premier financement de 425 millions de dollars américains. Cette initiative, portée par la Banque mondiale, vise à rénover et moderniser les 800 kilomètres de route qui relient le Cameroun à la République centrafricaine. Les travaux devraient débuter dès l'année prochaine, marquant une avancée majeure pour l'infrastructure régionale. Modernisation et automatisation au cœur du projet Ce projet phare, destiné à transformer le corridor Douala-Bangui, introduira des innovations technologiques pour rationaliser les opérations de transport. Donnat Takueté, directeur général des études au ministère des Travaux publics camerounais, explique : « Un système de prés...

Niger: fresh displacement waves after terrorist attacks in the southwestHundreds flee homes following mid-July assaults on villages near the Benin borderLast updated: August 2, 2026 This unprecedented displacement surge emerged in the Dosso region of southwestern Niger, bordering Benin and Nigeria. The crisis erupted during critical farming season when armed groups launched coordinated strikes in mid-July against villages in Loga district, according to a local government official who requested anonymity. The initial assaults on July 17 targeted at least three communities, resulting in dozens of civilian fatalities and injuries. The state-run media outlets have consistently labeled these attacks as terrorist operations, though no official casualty figures have been released. Military aut...