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Georges Dougueli special correspondent covering Cameroon Chantal Biya Franck Biya Paul Biya In Cameroon, the political landscape is becoming increasingly tense as the lines between Franck Biya and Chantal Biya grow sharper. The son and wife of the country’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, have emerged as two pivotal figures in what observers describe as an unwritten succession battle that is now impossible to ignore. The stakes could not be higher. With President Biya, 88, in office since 1982, questions about the future of governance in Cameroon have intensified. Public speculation has centered on whether Chantal Biya, the first lady known for her influential role behind the scenes, will position herself—or one of her all...

Chad’s Prime Minister Allamaye Halina on Wednesday officially launched construction of a 40-megawatt mobile gas turbine power plant in N’Djamena, a project funded by Algeria as a gesture of solidarity and a major step in bilateral cooperation. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Halina thanked Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the Algerian people for the initiative, which he said will boost Chad’s electricity generation capacity, improve energy supply, and support economic and social development. The ceremony was attended by Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, who led a delegation to the Chadian capital. Halina welcomed his counterpart, calling the visit a testament to the strong ties and shared commitment between the two nations. The power plant project stems from a memora...

The Nigerien subsidiary of pan-African banking group Bank of Africa (BOA) is defying conventional stock market logic. Listed on the Regional Securities Exchange (BRVM) in Abidjan, BOA Niger has seen its share price climb 40% in recent weeks, even after issuing a profit warning and reporting a sharp drop in net earnings. This stark contrast between deteriorating financial indicators and rising market enthusiasm raises questions about what is driving the price action. Profit warning fails to deter buyers Ordinarily, a profit warning from a subsidiary of Moroccan group BMCE Bank of Africa would be expected to weigh heavily on the stock. On the West African exchange, such announcements typically trigger a rapid sell-off as investors anticipate lower future dividends. BOA Niger, however, is buc...

Colonel Michaël Randrianirina arrived in Libreville last Friday to hold talks with President Oligui Nguema.The meeting took place within the framework of deepening friendship and cooperation between Gabon and Madagascar. The President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar carried out a 48-hour working and friendship visit to Libreville. During the visit, the Malagasy leader was received in audience at the Palais Rénovation by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Discussions centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation as well as the refoundation process under way in Madagascar.On this occasion, the Malagasy delegation attended a presentation by Professor Guy Rossatanga-Rignault dedicated to the key stages of Gabon’s transition and the principles that guided the return to ...

Cameroon eyes strategic partnership with South Korean industrialistSouth Korean industrialist Dr. Hae-Jung Jung plans major investments in Cameroon, focusing on cocoa and industry, following a meeting with Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.In a forward-looking move to broaden market access for Cameroonian cocoa through short supply chains, the country's Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, dispatched multiple letters in November 2024 to key figures in the global chocolate industry, one of whom was Dr. Hae-Jung Jung from South Korea.Dr. Jung recently accepted the minister's invitation and made a working visit to Cameroon, culminating in a meeting on June 5, 2026, at the minister's office.Responding to the minister's call to elevate the value of Cameroonian cocoa beans ...

France's new ambassador in Rabat champions a 'franco-moroccan method' A day after presenting his credentials, Philippe Lalliot chose the Paris Peace Forum spring meeting at UM6P for his first public address. Before a diplomatic audience, he linked defense of international law, water cooperation, and preparation for upcoming bilateral milestones tied to a nearly 350-million-euro program. Confronted by the entrenchment of crises and shockwaves that spare no nation today, Philippe Lalliot clarified the relevance of multilateral rules. "International law is not dead. Its founding principles are just. It must be defended on principle, because it is precisely the shield of those who have none," he stated, stressing its nature as a common good. For the diplomat, international law remains...

Pastef stands more united than ever behind a single man: Ousmane Sonko. He was overwhelmingly re-elected as party leader during Saturday's congress. Removed from the prime minister's post two weeks ago by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the former head of government — now president of the National Assembly — used the occasion to further cement his role as an opposition figure to the head of state. With a majority in the assembly, Pastef “will ensure that the people's interests are safeguarded,” he declared. How do you see the evolution of relations between Sonko and Diomaye Faye in the months ahead? We want your reactions. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

Washington has once again tightened its grip on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by rolling out fresh sanctions targeting key figures linked to ongoing conflicts in the east. These measures, announced three months after similar restrictions were placed on the Rwandan military and several high-ranking officials, focus on two individuals: a senior intelligence officer in the AFC/M23 rebel group and a commander of the FDLR militia. The AFC/M23 and FDLR have long been entangled in the violent unrest that has plagued the eastern regions of the DRC. The question now is: what precisely prompted the United States to single out these two figures? Is this a direct signal to Kigali? And could more names join the list before the year ends? why these two leaders are now under us scrutiny T...

Sonko redraws political lines at Pastef's first congress Pastef-Les Patriotes holds its first national congress since 2014 in Dakar, setting a new direction amid a reshaped political scene under the leadership of its chairman Pastef-Les Patriotes, the parliamentary majority party, gathered in Dakar over the weekend of June 6 and 7 for its inaugural national congress since its founding in 2014. The event aimed to breathe fresh momentum into the movement amid a shifting political landscape, refine the party's guiding principles under Chairman Ousmane Sonko, and recalibrate Senegal's governance approach. Sunday, June 7, witnessed a large crowd at Dakar Arena for the closing of Pastef-Les Patriotes’ first ordinary congress. Ousmane Sonko, confirmed as chairman and leader of the majority party,...

The National Mining Corporation (Sonamines) is intensifying its pressure on gold operators in Cameroon. Following a control tour in the Adamaoua and East regions—the main hubs for artisanal and semi-mechanised gold production—Managing Director Serge Hervé Boyogueno delivered a blunt assessment. Several operators are failing to meet expected production thresholds, others are proven insolvent, while environmental shortcomings and opaque trade channels are undermining the state's sovereignty over the sector. Field inspections expose vulnerabilities in the gold industry The visited regions concentrate most of Cameroon’s gold activity, dominated by semi-mechanised companies and a multitude of artisans. Sonamines’ mission aimed to verify that permit holders comply with their contractual and regu...

The political dialogue between Gabon and the European Union enters its second session on June 8, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès in the Cité de la Démocratie in Libreville. The meeting brings together Gabonese authorities and representatives of EU member states accredited in the country, with an agenda focused on evaluating the commitments made during the first edition. This session takes place within the formal framework provided by Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, now the post-Cotonou Agreement, which structures the political relationship between Brussels and the states of Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. A codified format between Libreville and Brussels Political dialogue serves as the institutional channel through which the European Union engages with its African partners on ...

Could a shared world cup campaign with kylian mbappé and other real madrid french stars convince michael olise to leave bayern munich? as the french national team prepares to fly to their boston base for the 2026 world cup (june 11-july 19), real madrid president florentino pérez is reportedly working behind the scenes on a €150 million summer bid for olise, despite bayern insisting he is not for sale. the influence of real madrid's french contingent inside the bleus dressing room could prove decisive.Will kylian mbappé and michael olise become teammates at real madrid after spending the world cup together with France on american soil? reports from international media indicate that freshly re-elected real madrid president florentino pérez is preparing to launch a €150 million transfer push...