The African Tribune

Political tensions rising in democratic republic of Congo ahead of planned protests

18Aug

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

Politics

Political tensions rising in democratic republic of Congo ahead of planned protests

The uneasy calm that settled over Kinshasa for the past month was shattered this week as the ultimatum issued to President Félix Tshisekedi to convene a national dialogue expired on August 15. The Congolese head of state has since announced plans to address the nation on Sunday, outlining the framework of the proposed dialogue. Meanwhile, the C64 opposition coalition has called for nationwide demonstrations on September 15, raising concerns about a potential escalation in political hostilities. What unravelled over the past 30 days? After weeks of reduced confrontation, political tempers flared again when the opposition alliance C64 set a 30-day deadline for President Tshisekedi to initiate a comprehensive national dialogue. The ultimatum elapsed without concrete action, prompting the co...

Is Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno a true sovereignist in Chad?

18Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Authoritarian Regimes & Africa

Is Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno a true sovereignist in Chad?

The rise of Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to power in Chad has sparked intense debate about his political stance, particularly regarding sovereignty. While he presents himself as a defender of national autonomy, critics question the authenticity of his commitment to this principle. His recent engagements with regional actors—especially within the Alliance of Sahel States—have further intensified the discussion. Chad’s leadership under scrutiny: sovereignty in question Since assuming leadership after his father’s tenure, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has positioned himself as a pan-Sahelian leader, advocating for greater regional self-reliance. Yet, the extent of his sovereignist rhetoric remains a subject of sharp divide. His administration has pursued policies that both align with and challenge t...

Fenerbahçe vs lyon live stream champions league playoffs 2026

17Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Fenerbahçe vs lyon live stream champions league playoffs 2026

Fenerbahçe18 August 21:00LyonBroadcasting on: Canal+Champions League Playoffs 2026-2027, First LegFenerbahçe vs Lyon — Live StreamTuesday, 18 August 2026, 21:00Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium, IstanbulMatch Preview: Fenerbahçe and Lyon Clash in Champions League PlayoffsAs the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League playoffs kick off, all eyes are on the clash between Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe and French side Lyon. The first leg of their playoff duel is set to unfold at Istanbul’s iconic Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium on the evening of August 18.The encounter marks the sixth meeting between these two European football heavyweights since 2001. Their last competitive outing, a goalless draw in the Europa League group stage on January 23, 2025, hinted at the tactical prowess both teams bring to the pitch. Now, t...

Côte d’Ivoire sets shea nut field price at 250 fcfa per kg

17Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

News

Côte d’Ivoire sets shea nut field price at 250 fcfa per kg

Côte d'Ivoire fixes shea nut field price at 250 FCFA/kg The Ivorian government has taken a decisive step to bolster the local economy by setting the field price for shea nuts at 250 FCFA per kilogram. This strategic move aims to empower farmers and stabilize the shea butter supply chain, a key sector in Côte d'Ivoire's agricultural landscape. Economic impact on local communities The new pricing structure is expected to inject much-needed revenue into rural areas where shea nut harvesting is a primary livelihood. By guaranteeing a fixed price, the government ensures fair compensation for farmers, reducing exploitation by middlemen and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, the shea nut industry plays a vital role in West Africa’s export market, with Côte d...

Benin public debt: why the alarm is unfounded

17Aug

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

Benin public debt: why the alarm is unfounded

Recent data reveals Benin’s public debt has reached 9,122.2 billion West African CFA francs. While some voices warn of excessive borrowing, a closer look at the country’s economic indicators suggests concerns are overblown. The nation’s financial stability remains firmly under control, with no justification for panic. Debt-to-GDP ratio well below regional limits The key measure of debt sustainability is the debt-to-GDP ratio. Benin’s current level stands at 50.1%, comfortably below the 70% convergence threshold set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). The country enjoys a budgetary leeway of nearly 20 percentage points compared to the regional benchmark. Even in advanced and emerging economies, debt ratios often exceed 100% of GDP without triggering payment defau...

Niger faces security vacuum as 15 soldiers killed in northern attack

17Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Analysis, Top Stories

Niger faces security vacuum as 15 soldiers killed in northern attack

Northern Niger attack exposes military junta’s security failures In the vast and arid expanses of northern Niger, the Movement for the Justice and Freedom of the Peoples (MPLJ) has once again demonstrated the fragility of the military-led government’s sovereignty narrative. A coordinated assault, claimed by the group, has left at least 15 soldiers dead, underscoring a harsh truth: the junta under General Abdourahamane Tiani is struggling to fulfill its most basic obligation—protecting its citizens and asserting control over its territory. The attack, though devastating in its human toll, is not an isolated incident. It highlights the broader inability of Niger’s armed forces to secure the country’s sprawling desert borders, particularly in regions where state presence is minimal. With ex...

Lomé trains local leaders to boost financial resources and autonomy

17Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Society

Lomé trains local leaders to boost financial resources and autonomy

Lomé, August 17, 2026 — Local governments in Togo’s maritime region face a critical challenge: meeting public expectations without adequate, well-managed financial resources. To address this, officials from Golfe 2, Golfe 3, Agoè-Nyivé 5, and Agoè-Nyivé 6 convened in Golfe 7 from August 17 to 19 for a specialized training session focused on resource mobilization and financial governance.The workshop, part of the National Training Plan led by the National Agency for Local Government Training (ANFCT), aims to equip municipal leaders with advanced techniques to enhance revenue collection and optimize financial management. By strengthening local financial autonomy, the initiative seeks to improve service delivery for residents. Financial autonomy: the backbone of local governance The core of ...

Quand l’uniforme cherche à faire taire la plume : au Burkina, l’information sous redressement

16Aug

By Fati SeyniNo Comments

Culture

Quand l’uniforme cherche à faire taire la plume : au Burkina, l’information sous redressement

L’image a de quoi faire tressaillir n’importe quel défenseur des libertés fondamentales. Près de Ouagadougou, plus de quarante journalistes burkinabè ont récemment achevé plusieurs jours d’une formation militaire présentée comme un stage de « patriotisme ». Derrière cet enrobage sémantique lisse se cache une réalité bien plus sombre : sous couvert d'incitation au civisme, c'est une véritable tentative de rééducation et de mise au pas de la presse libre qui s'organise. Que reste-t-il de la liberté d’expression lorsqu’un reporter est traîné, sous la contrainte directe ou sous une pression à peine voilée, dans un camp militaire pour apprendre ce qu’il a le droit de dire ou de taire ? Au Burkina Faso, le travail d'investigation et la retransmission fidèle du quotidien des populations font dé...

Sunday’s key events in Senegal: clashes, presidential trips and weather alerts

16Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

News

Sunday’s key events in Senegal: clashes, presidential trips and weather alerts

Sunday's key events in Senegal: clashes, presidential trips and weather alerts Unforeseen clashes erupted in Mbacké during a Kiiraay movement gathering, while both the Senegalese and Ivorian presidents embarked on private trips to France. Meanwhile, meteorological warnings predict heavy downpours across multiple regions. Violent clashes disrupt Kiiraay gathering in Mbacké Tensions escalated during a MONADD-Kiiraay assembly in Mbacké, degenerating into vandalism that required swift police intervention to restore order. Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire presidents depart for private visits in France Within 24 hours of each other, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Ivorian counterpart Alassane Ouattara left their respective nations for private stays in France, sparking public curiosity in...

Gabon: journalist freed after four months in detention amid press freedom concerns

16Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

News

Gabon: journalist freed after four months in detention amid press freedom concerns

In Gabon, the release of a journalist after nearly four months in custody for publications deemed critical of authorities has reignited discussions about press protection during the ongoing transition. This case, highlighted by local media, underscores the fragility of the legal framework governing journalism since the regime change in August 2023. It coincides with Libreville’s stated ambitions to rebuild democratic foundations. The detained colleague was imprisoned following writings that challenged public governance and certain state officials. His release temporarily closes a case closely monitored by civil liberties organizations both within Gabon and abroad. The specifics of the judicial decision—including the final charges—remain central to the ongoing scrutiny by the profession. ...

Why everyday goods cost more in Dakar than in Paris

16Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Society

Why everyday goods cost more in Dakar than in Paris

In a nation grappling with persistent inflation, the stark price differences between Dakar and Paris have reignited conversations about the high cost of living in Sénégal. A recent video by French content creator Simon Labas, uploaded in December 2025, has resurfaced on social media, showcasing a side-by-side comparison of prices for identical products in both cities. Key disparities in essential goods The comparison begins with whole chicken, priced at 2,610 F CFA per kilogram in Dakar—significantly higher than the 2,300 F CFA equivalent in Paris. Butter, another staple, follows a similar trend: Elle & Vire brand costs 2,990 F CFA in Dakar compared to just 1,990 F CFA in the French capital. Even cooking oil, a kitchen essential, sees a steep markup at 6,990 F CFA in Dakar versus 6,000 F ...

Tchad. Tchad: l’opposant Succès Masra prône la réconciliation

16Aug

By Harouna OusmaneNo Comments

Politics

Tchad. Tchad: l’opposant Succès Masra prône la réconciliation

PolitiquePrésidentielle américaine. Les démocrates démarreront les primaires 2028 en Caroline du SudExit l'Iowa et le New Hampshire, le Parti démocrate a choisi samedi de désigner la Caroline du Sud comme premier Etat à voter aux primaires pour la présidentielle de 2028. Un choix censé mieux représenter la diversité des électeurs. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter