The African Tribune

ARRESTATION Nigeria: arrestation de sept chefs de Boko Haram à leur retour de La Mecque In a significant security development, seven commanders associated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been apprehended in Nigeria. These arrests occurred as the individuals returned from their pilgrimage to Mecca. Authorities attribute this successful operation to the advanced interconnection of national identity, immigration, and Interpol databases, a direct result of recent reforms to the country’s identity management framework. Nigeria has dealt a substantial blow to two of the most prominent jihadist factions operating within the Lake Chad Basin. Seven suspected commanders from Boko Haram and ISWAP were intercepted upon their arrival at Katsina airport,...

« I want tomorrow the FEG to be recognized not only for defending businesses, but above all for making them succeed. » This was the wish expressed by Alain Claude Kouakoua, president of the Gabon Business Federation (FEG), during the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF) on Saturday, 27 June 2026, at the Palais des Congrès. The gathering brings together decision-makers and international partners, serving as a platform designed to address Gabon's economic challenges. Speaking pragmatically, the FEG president stressed that no country has ever developed without strong businesses. For him, companies are not peripheral actors—they are the engine of growth. For his part, Vice President of the Republic, Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier, emphasised the govern...

Burkina Faso has taken a historic step in its relationship with France. In an announcement broadcast on national television Friday, the Burkinabe authorities declared the immediate severance of diplomatic relations with Paris.The government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré accuses French authorities of persistent 'activism' against Burkina Faso's interests and of harboring neocolonial ambitions in the region.This decision follows years of rising tensions between the two countries since the military junta seized power in September 2022.France regrets 'hostile and unfounded' decisionThe French Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly responded, expressing regret over what it called a 'hostile and unfounded' decision.Burkinabe authorities, however, stressed that the break is limited to diplomatic relatio...

The expanded 48-team World Cup format, with 32 teams advancing to the knockout stages, has introduced a fascinating strategic dimension to group play. Several nations, prior to their final group stage fixtures, have discovered a shared incentive to secure a draw, as such a result guarantees progression for both sides. This tactical approach has, so far, consistently played out as anticipated. A prime example unfolded in Group F, where Japan and Sweden faced off. After a tightly contested first half, the match burst into life shortly after the break (Maeda 56th minute, Elanga 62nd minute). Ultimately, the 1-1 stalemate proved to be a mutually beneficial outcome, ensuring both teams advanced. The strategic pattern became even more apparent in Group B, where Australia and Paraguay played o...

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...