The African Tribune

A Bamako court sentenced French lieutenant-colonel Yann V. to twenty years in prison, nearly a year after his arrest in Mali. The officer, officially assigned to the French embassy, also received a fine of 3.6 million FCFA for alleged crimes against state security.Malian authorities accuse him of taking part in operations aimed at destabilising state institutions by mobilising political leaders, civil society actors, and senior army officers. Paris firmly rejects these charges, calling the case baseless and demanding his release.Growing tensions between Bamako and ParisThis case unfolds amid heightened friction between Bamako and Paris following the withdrawal of Operation Barkhane and Mali's strategic turn toward Russia. Although both nations kept low-key intelligence cooperation alive, t...

Gabon's budget deficit widened significantly in 2025, reaching 5.3% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 3.8% in 2024. The deterioration stemmed from an expansionary fiscal policy combined with a growing debt burden. Public debt climbed to 78.9% of GDP, contributing to the downgrade of the country's sovereign credit rating in December 2025.This development came amid an economic slowdown. GDP growth decelerated from 3.4% in 2024 to 2.7% in 2025, dragged down by declines in oil, mining, forestry, and transport output. Although public works, manufacturing, and services performed well, government spending aimed at supporting the economy further strained the fiscal balance, increasing the state's financing needs.Growing pressure on public financesThe widening deficit has been accompanie...

Libreville, Tuesday 9 June 2026 – The official launch of construction work on the deep-water port of Kobe-Kobe on Monday 8 June marks far more than the start of an infrastructure project.It signals Gabon's entry into a new phase of its economic history. Behind the excavators and technical studies lies a national transformation project whose consequences could permanently reshape the country's place in African and global trade.At Nyonié, on the Atlantic coast of Estuaire province, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema gave the starting signal for a programme that embodies several strategic ambitions at once. Industrialisation, economic sovereignty, diversification beyond oil, territorial development, job creation and regional influence now converge around a single goal.Rarely has a project...

South Africa’s judicial system has deferred a decision on panafricanist activist Kemi Seba’s bail application until June 18, 2026. The activist, who has been held in Pretoria since April, remains in custody while the legal process unfolds. Meanwhile, a hearing on his potential extradition to Bénin has been scheduled for July 14, 2026. Investigators have uncovered serious allegations that he received cryptocurrency funding from Russia to cover illicit travel arrangements, further complicating his case. Pretoria court extends detention amid mounting evidence The legal saga surrounding Kemi Seba, also known as Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, took another dramatic turn in Pretoria. Regional judges postponed a ruling on his bail request, instead opting to extend his detention until mid-20...

The 45th Annual General Assembly of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) opened on 9 June in Rabat, focusing on a key challenge for African economies: financing the continent's rapid urbanisation. The opening ceremony was attended by Nadia Fettah Alaoui and the president of... This content is reserved for members of the Premium, Semestrial, Trimestrial, Monthly, Weekly, One day, and Download a MAGAZINE (PDF) levels only.SubscribeAlready a member? Log in here By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter