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Un calls for consensus and respect for freedoms in Drc national dialogue A photo of a UN Security Council meeting Speaking from the UN Security Council on Friday, the head of MONUSCO, James Swan, delivered a strong political message to Kinshasa. He urged all Congolese stakeholders to reach an agreement on the framework for an inclusive national dialogue, while emphasizing the importance of protecting civic space and fundamental freedoms, especially freedom of expression and assembly, so that every participant can express themselves in a "peaceful and secure" environment. This appeal comes at a particularly resonant time, as the constitutional debate deeply divides the nation and the CENCO headquarters was recently targeted by government supporters in Kinshasa. On the security front, ...

Intra-African trade has become a central pillar of Gabon's economic agenda. During a cabinet meeting on 25 June in Libreville, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema explicitly directed his government to speed up the implementation of this policy, which is seen as crucial for diversifying the national economy. The presidential instruction goes beyond a mere statement of intent: it requires concrete indicators and a tight timeline.The stakes go beyond diplomatic posturing. Gabon, whose external revenues remain dominated by oil, manganese, and timber, aims to expand its regional markets and capture a larger share of continental trade flows. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered its operational phase in 2021, provides the natural framework for this ambition. However,...

The land tenure reform underway in Gabon addresses a need that few stakeholders deny. The country has long carried a heavy administrative legacy marked by overlapping titles, repeated disputes, and legal insecurity that hampers both foreign investors and households seeking property ownership in Libreville, Port-Gentil, or Franceville. The transitional authorities have stated their ambition to clarify procedures, streamline title issuance, and restore trust in a sector plagued by suspicion.On paper, the approach appears virtuous. It follows a political will to overhaul institutions since the new authorities took power. However, close reading of the plan raises a central question: does the state intend to fully assume the guarantee it promises, or is it merely signing documents while disclai...

Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with France, citing 'incessant activism' A new chapter unfolds in the Sahel crisis as Burkina Faso's military government announced on Friday, June 26, 2026, the official termination of its diplomatic relations with France. Accusing Paris of "incessant activism" against its national interests, the junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, solidifies a geopolitical separation that has been brewing since the 2022 coup. This move significantly impacts African politics and regional stability. Enregistrer Partager Copier le li...

Both Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona appear eager to secure the services of Julian Alvarez before the current summer transfer window closes. However, Barcelona holds a significant advantage: the 26-year-old Atletico Madrid forward is actively campaigning, both publicly and behind the scenes, to join the Catalan giants. Despite this, as football icon Luis Suarez has pointed out, Alvarez's eagerly anticipated transfer might not materialize until next year. “A player as astute as Julian, considering his journey from River Plate, through Manchester City, then Atlético, and also with the national team, would arrive and seamlessly adapt because he understands his role.” Following Pedri, who had already rolled out the red carpet for Julian Alvarez regarding his potential move to FC Barce...

Addressing a joint session of deputies and senators in Congress, Gabon’s president unequivocally stated, “The SEEG must undergo reform if we are to permanently resolve this issue.” This declaration, delivered during his annual address on the state of the Nation, signals a clear acknowledgment of the current model's failure, as persistent water and electricity outages have plagued Gabon for many years, impacting daily life and hampering progress in society Africa.The presidential initiative is built upon two fundamental principles: the complete separation of water management from electricity management, and the unbundling of production, distribution, and commercialization activities within each sector. According to the head of state, this new organizational structure promises to usher in a ...

As the summer transfer window heats up, Paris Saint-Germain is making strategic moves to reshape its squad. The club has finalized a deal to send Gonçalo Ramos to AC Milan, and now Kang-In Lee is set to follow a similar path. Reports indicate that the South Korean midfielder is close to joining Atlético Madrid, leaving the French giants in need of a high-caliber replacement. Paris Saint-Germain’s technical staff, led by Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos, have already identified their target: Yan Diomandé. The 19-year-old Ivorian defender, who currently plays for RB Leipzig, is one of the most promising talents in world football. His potential acquisition could cost the club around €35 million, a figure that reflects his rising value in the transfer marke...

In a decisive move to sharpen Cameroon’s competitive edge in the global cocoa market, the Office National du Cacao et du Café (ONCC) has successfully trained 35 export warehouse verifiers in Douala. The initiative, conducted in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), concluded on June 26, 2026, with a three-day workshop focused on advanced sampling, quality control, and export warehouse management. Didime Olivier Tchoumi, Senior Technical Advisor at UNIDO, highlighted that this training is part of Cameroon’s broader strategy to elevate the quality and reputation of its cocoa and coffee in international markets. The program is supported by the Japan-funded PICS-Cameroun project, which aims to strengthen the country’s agricultural export value chain ...

One year after the Washington peace accord, fighting continues in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Kinshasa has now turned to the International Court of Justice, accusing Rwanda of backing armed groups, particularly the AFC-M23 rebellion.The Democratic Republic of Congo filed a case at the International Court of Justice against Rwanda on June 26, 2026, alleging Kigali's support for militant factions operating in the country's east. This legal move comes exactly one year after both nations signed a peace deal in Washington aimed at ending the conflict. Despite the agreement, clashes persist between the Congolese army and the AFC-M23 rebels, who are widely considered to be backed by Rwanda.In a related development, the United States imposed sanctions on several Rwandan officials accused...

Ph. droits tiersThe Corniche border crossing, which connects Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Gisenyi in Rwanda, has begun a phased reopening after more than a week without any new active Ebola cases reported in the area, according to local sources.Initially, the measure applies to specific categories of travelers, including those going to Gisenyi for banking transactions, humanitarian workers traveling to Goma or continuing onward to Kigali for international flights, and people with urgent reasons subject to immigration assessment.The partial resumption of cross-border movement has been welcomed by communities on both sides, where trade had slowed significantly due to health restrictions aimed at curbing the disease. Transborder traffic, vital to the local economy, had be...

Minister of Trade Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana announces a promotional sales drive in Yaoundé. The promotional sales operation, initiated by the Ministry of Trade, will run for several weeks along the Boulevard du 20 Mai. Specifically, the sale of fast-moving consumer goods will take place from June 22 to September 30, 2026, at the Boulevard du 20 Mai site. “This event, carried out in partnership with responsible companies, is fully aligned with the government’s policy to combat the high cost of living. It aims, on one hand, to support household purchasing power during the long school holidays, and on the other, to assist parents with preparations for the 2026–2027 school year by offering school supplies at affordable prices,” the Ministry of Trade stated. Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana adde...

As part of the fight against terrorism, particularly against Boko Haram threats, Operation Alpha of the Rapid Intervention Battalions (BIR) is placing special emphasis on securing places of worship.These spaces, often targeted by terrorist groups aiming to spread fear and weaken social cohesion, now benefit from enhanced surveillance and adapted protection measures.Through regular patrols, a dissuasive presence, and increased vigilance during religious gatherings, Operation Alpha helps prevent attacks and ensures a safe environment for worshippers. This action reflects the BIR's ongoing commitment to protect populations, safeguard religious freedom, and strengthen peace and stability.Good to know: the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) is an elite force of the Cameroonian army that re...