Friday, November 6
Ivorian government boosts financial crime fight with new GIABA centre in Abidjan
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Ivorian government boosts financial crime fight with new GIABA centre in Abidjan

New GIABA information centre opens in Abidjan to strengthen West African financial security The Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, officially inaugurated the new premises of the Groupe intergouvernemental d’action contre le blanchiment d’argent en Afrique (GIABA) Information Centre in Cocody, Abidjan. The handover ceremony, held on 12 August 2026, marks a significant step in Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to regional cooperation against financial crime. The facility, provided under the Host Agreement with the Ivorian government, reinforces regional efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Its establishment stems from a 2010 decision by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which led to the creation of two information centres: one in Lagos for English-spea...
Mali’s dirpa war numbers: inflated claims without proof
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Mali’s dirpa war numbers: inflated claims without proof

The art of crisis communication in Mali has evolved into a carefully orchestrated spectacle. Recently, the Direction de l’Information et des Relations Publiques des Armées (DIRPA) released its latest operational report, and the figures presented by Colonel Bakary Bocar Maïga were nothing short of staggering. According to the report, between June and July, military operations allegedly neutralized 1,850 terrorists, destroyed 45 bases, and rendered hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles unusable. Yet, beneath the bravado lies a glaring absence of verifiable evidence. Statistical Showmanship Over Ground Realities The precision with which these losses are tallied raises serious questions. How does an army, no matter how active, claim to have eliminated nearly two thousand enemy fighters in just...
Hull city signs senegalese defender nobel mendy in record-breaking transfer deal
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Hull city signs senegalese defender nobel mendy in record-breaking transfer deal

Hull City has sent a clear message of intent for the upcoming Premier League season by completing the headline-grabbing acquisition of central defender Nobel Mendy from Rayo Vallecano. The East Yorkshire club confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old Senegalese international, who has penned a long-term contract after impressing in LaLiga. Club breaks its own transfer record The Tigers have shattered their previous transfer record with a deal that surpasses the recent acquisition of Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from Olympiacos, although the exact fee remains undisclosed. Mendy’s five-year contract includes an additional one-year extension option, tying him to the MKM Stadium until at least the summer of 2029. Mendy’s Premier League dream becomes reality The young defender waste...
Cameroon: man who attempted to read fake decrees on national TV jailed
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Cameroon: man who attempted to read fake decrees on national TV jailed

Cameroon: man who attempted to read fake decrees on national TV jailedA man was taken into custody in Yaoundé after attempting to present what he claimed were official presidential decrees on national radio. The documents, which included a supposed appointment decree for a vice president, were later verified as counterfeit by authorities.On June 12, 2026, Johann Adriel Sitchom Kuate arrived at the national broadcaster’s headquarters in Yaoundé’s Nlongkak district, presenting documents he insisted were legitimate. Witnesses noted their professional appearance, including one decree bearing the signature of President Paul Biya.Under standard protocol, such decrees are read on air to inform the public. However, CRTV staff, sensing irregularities, alerted top government officials—including thos...
CNSA initiative in DRC: easing tensions ahead of national dialogue
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CNSA initiative in DRC: easing tensions ahead of national dialogue

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the National Council for Monitoring the Agreement and Electoral Process, known as the CNSA, has taken a significant step toward easing political tensions by compiling a comprehensive list of political and opinion prisoners. This move comes as the country prepares for an anticipated inclusive national dialogue. The initiative aims to identify individuals who may be eligible for amnesty, with a focus on restoring justice and fostering an environment conducive to meaningful discussions. The CNSA’s efforts underscore a commitment to the principle that justice is blind, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of political affiliation or background, is entitled to fair treatment under the law. This principle is particularly relevant as the Council examin...
CnsA steps in Congo ahead of political dialogue
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CnsA steps in Congo ahead of political dialogue

CNSA actions in Democratic Republic of Congo: easing tensions before dialogue? The Democratic Republic of Congo has entered a critical phase in its political stabilization efforts. One week after the launch of its census of political and opinion prisoners, the National Council for Monitoring the Agreement and Electoral Process (CNSA) is emphasizing that this initiative applies to all eligible individuals, regardless of status or affiliation. The Council champions a fundamental principle: justice must be blind. This initiative forms part of broader conflict de-escalation measures that the CNSA considers essential before an inclusive national dialogue can take place. The Council aims to compile and submit a comprehensive list to President Félix Tshisekedi, enabling him to take decisive act...
Gabon unlocks 51 billion FCFA to clear internal debt to businesses
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Gabon unlocks 51 billion FCFA to clear internal debt to businesses

As Gabon prepares to mark its 66th Independence Day, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has unveiled a 51 billion FCFA allocation to settle a portion of outstanding debts owed to companies. This landmark initiative aims to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and reignite private sector momentum across the nation. The Gabonese government is intensifying efforts to address its internal debt crisis. In the lead-up to Independence Day celebrations, the president confirmed the clearance of 51 billion FCFA in business claims, signaling a commitment to economic recovery. The allocated funds are divided strategically: 30 billion FCFA targets businesses in the mining and timber industries, while the remaining 21 billion FCFA will settle debts for a broader range of enterprises, ...
Morocco praised for leadership in managing migration flows
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Morocco praised for leadership in managing migration flows

Regional leader in migration management The Moroccan-American scholar Mohamed Daadaoui has highlighted the Kingdom’s pivotal role in preventing and controlling irregular migration flows. During a recent discussion in Washington, the professor emphasized how Morocco has established itself as a responsible regional actor and a trusted international partner, thanks to its proactive migration governance approach, widely acknowledged across the globe. Strengths of bilateral cooperation and shared responsibility Daadaoui pointed out the effectiveness of joint operations with neighboring Spain, particularly in dismantling human trafficking networks and conducting complex rescue and assistance missions at sea. Yet he also stressed the need for a balanced approach, noting that no single nation c...
Lyon football club tightens ticketing ahead of high-risk champions league playoff clash
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Lyon football club tightens ticketing ahead of high-risk champions league playoff clash

football Champions League playoff Olympique Lyonnais tightens ticketing measures for high-risk Champions League playoff against Fenerbahçe Enhanced security measures will be implemented at Groupama Stadium for the Champions League playoff rematch between Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe. Authorities are convening an emergency meeting at the Lyon prefecture today to finalize security protocols for the high-risk Champions League playoff rematch between Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe on August 26. The gathering will bring together local law enforcement, stadium officials, and club representatives to establish a unified security strat...
Withdrawal from the ICC threatens justice in the Sahel
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Withdrawal from the ICC threatens justice in the Sahel

The decision by Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso to initiate withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) represents a pivotal moment in the evolving political and institutional landscape of the Sahel. This follows earlier declarations by Mali and Burkina Faso in 2025, later joined by Niger. Chad formally submitted its withdrawal notification on July 27, 2026, citing perceived inefficiencies within the Court and what officials describe as an uneven application of international justice.Beyond legal disputes: a crisis of confidenceThis collective withdrawal cannot be dismissed as a mere legal disagreement with The Hague. It reflects a deeper erosion of trust between several African governments and international judicial institutions. Yet it raises a critical questio...
Morocco’s azrou college: a berber elite training ground
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Morocco’s azrou college: a berber elite training ground

The Birth of a Controversial Institution In the heart of Morocco’s Middle Atlas region, the town of Azrou became home to an educational experiment unlike any other. Conceived during the French Protectorate era, the Collège Berbère d’Azrou was designed to cultivate a compliant Berber elite fluent in French—a demographic intentionally distanced from the nationalist movements brewing in Fès and Rabat. The intention was clear: to create a cadre of administrators and military officers who would serve colonial interests rather than challenge them. A College That Defied Its Purpose The historical narrative took an unexpected turn. Instead of producing docile collaborators, Azrou College emerged as an incubator for Morocco’s future leaders, many of whom would later become key figures in the count...