IDEAS
Dive into bold opinions, original ideas, and in-depth debates on key societal, political, and cultural issues on BeNews. This section highlights voices that challenge the norm and spark meaningful dialogue.
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“Religious Sisters Are Not Priests’ Wives or Bedmates”
Religious Sisters are not ornaments in Habits. We are not commodities for priests to use at will, nor are we mistresses in veils. We are women called by God, consecrated to service, prayer, and the mission of the Church. Yet… -
Colonial memory rekindled by the movie “Reparations: The Colonial Debt”
On August 16, 2025, Bamako hosted the premiere of the documentary “Reparations The Colonial Debt”, directed by Senegalese filmmaker Ibrahima Sow. This powerful work, enriched with testimonies from experts and historical archives, shines a light on the crimes of colonialism… -
In Togo, USAID leaves the field, democracy in a turbulent zone
Togo is going through a politically troubled period, marked by ongoing tensions between the government and the opposition, determined to reject the new Constitution. These constitutional reforms are seen as a means for President Faure Gnassingbé to strengthen his grip… -
Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky, Fall and End?
Nothing seems to be going the way of the wind anymore, as Ukrainian President and former comedian Volodymyr Zelensky would like. Firstly, it was his own citizens who broke the ice with repeated demonstrations against his regime’s corruption, which pushed… -
Thiaroye 44: Descendants of riflemen call on the Senegalese National Assembly for concrete measures concerning reparations
A year after taking power, the new Senegalese authorities have launched archaeological excavations in Thiaroye, aiming to elucidate the massacre of Senegalese and other African infantrymen by the French colonial army in December 1944. These investigations aim to clarify the… -
In the face of the inefficiency of ECOWAS security initiatives, AES presents itself as a credible alternative for regional stability.
The recent announcement by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aiming to strengthen police cooperation to combat regional insecurity does not convince everyone. According to security expert Souleymane Amzat, this new initiative looks more like a communication exercise… -
Benin: Facing the youth, Patrice Talon with an open heart but closed ears
With less than a year left in his current term, Beninese President Patrice Talon invited the youth to an unprecedented public exchange at the Republic’s palace. The event, held on July 28, 2025, aimed to be participatory, friendly, and educational.… -
Presidential Election 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire: these candidacies that conceal another political calculation
As the 2025 presidential election in Ivory Coast nears, candidacies are multiplying. Certain familiar faces from the Ivorian political landscape, but also newcomers or peripheral figures, are announcing their intention to run for the highest office one after another. At… -
The serious communication mistakes of Tidjame Thiam, President of the PDCI-RDA
Outstanding manager, brilliant administrator, African pride in the world, first in his class wherever he went, the President of the oldest party in Ivory Coast, the PDCI-RDA, granted an interview a few days ago to journalist Alain Foka. It is… -
Ivory Coast: 3 confessions of failure behind Alassane Ouattara’s candidacy
The official announcement of Alassane Ouattara’s candidacy for the presidential election in October 2025 is garnering a range of reactions and raising many questions. This decision reveals, beyond the stated intentions, what some observers perceive as reflecting three major collective… -
Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè Case: A Matter of Professional Conscience
In the recollection of Beninese journalists, there has never been a situation like what occurred with the arrest on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Abidjan, of Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, who was regularly invited by the Ivorian Ministry of Digital for… -
Benin: 12 proposals from Deputy Kamel Ouassagari in the face of terrorism
Benin, particularly the northern part of the country, is facing repeated attacks from terrorist groups resulting in numerous civilian and military casualties. This worrying situation calls for a profound transformation of national security strategies. To ensure the protection of people… -
In Benin, the silent standoff between the UPR and the BR in the face of the 2026 general elections
As Patrice Talon prepares to leave office at the end of his second term, the Beninese presidential movement is organizing to designate its candidate for the 2026 presidential election. Amid internal rivalries, mastered electoral strategies, and a tight schedule, the… -
Bamako reignites the battle for colonial reparations
The Malian capital was the stage, on July 19, 2025, for an event of significant historical importance for Africa. As part of the third edition of the forum “Headlines”, placed under the theme “Colonial Crimes: The Time for Compensation has… -
“Any legal procedure that violates these rights is an injustice”, Daniel Edah
In the vision of a economically prosperous and socially stable Benin, integrated within a thriving Africa, that guides our political commitment, exemplary justice is ensured for all and would be the government’s duty to guarantee, through all legal means and… -
Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè: his lawyers speak up and provide details
This urgent and critical press release is made publicly available as a precaution, pending an official announcement detailing the actions taken by the Lawyers’ College to shed light on Mr. Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè’s true situation. The undersigned Lawyers’ College expresses… -
Is Alassane Ouattara a candidate or not? 3 reasons behind his silence
Four months away from the presidential election in Ivory Coast, the suspense remains intense around Alassane Ouattara’s candidacy. Despite his supporters’ expectations, the Ivorian head of state maintains a strategy of silence, carefully orchestrated, which feeds all speculations. Behind this… -
1st AGM of the LNB: “Tomorrow will be better”, says Gaston ZOSSOU
Eight (08) months after its introduction to the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), the National Lottery of Benin (LNB) held its very first Combined General Meeting. It took place on Monday, June 30, 2025, in the blue room of the Cotonou… -
Public Lighting in Benin: an impossible mission for Patrice Talon?
Despite the billions invested and the promises of a brightly lit Grand Nokoué, public lighting remains the Achilles heel of Patrice Talon’s urban report card. Repeated breakdowns, acts of vandalism, deployment delays and areas still plunged into darkness; the lighting… -
Benin – 73.02% success rate in Baccalaureate 2025: A “political” rate or an overly “easy” baccalaureate?
The results of Benin’s 2025 Baccalaureate, released on July 9, show a historic national pass rate of 73.02% – unprecedented since independence. This record figure has sparked national pride but also questions about its causes. Is it the result of… -
The International Criminal Court disappoints the Global South with its lack of impartiality
Since its inception in 2002, the International Criminal Court (ICC), established by the Rome Statute, presented itself as an independent and impartial body responsible for prosecuting the authors of the gravest crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes. But more… -
IATA opposes the “ill-advised solidarity tax proposal”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expresses deep disappointment over the recommendation of the Solidarity Levy Task Force (GSLTF) to target air transport in its effort to “improve the mobilization of national revenues from developing countries and support international solidarity… -
CANAL+ and Netflix join forces to revolutionize streaming access in Francophone Africa
CANAL+ and Netflix are strengthening their historic partnership initiated in 2019 for France and Poland by extending the strategic distribution agreement for sub-Saharan Africa.Thanks to this agreement, CANAL+ will become the first operator to distribute Netflix as part of its… -
The establishment of the Sahel Criminal Court marks a major advancement towards judicial sovereignty.
In a context of growing distrust towards the International Criminal Court (ICC), the countries of the Sahel States Alliance (SSA) – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – have announced the creation of a Sahelian Criminal and Human Rights Court (SCHRC).… -
Togo: does France want to overthrow Faure Gnassingbe?
We really do have to take our hats off to Togo’s undisputed master, Faure Gnassingbé. Say what you will, the man is very good at this. Not only has he just abolished the presidential election in his country in order… -
Tripartite Mining Agreement USA-DRC-Rwanda: An Imperialist Maneuver to Better Legitimize the Plundering of the Congo
Kinshasa and Washington are finalizing discussions around a strategic mining agreement aimed at attracting American investments in the critical minerals of the DRC, notably cobalt, lithium, and tantalum. The goal is to establish a regional value chain with extraction in… -
Anthem of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES): Sahel Benkan (video)
“Anthem of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES): “SAHEL BENKAN” Verse 1 A tribute to the people of the SahelHeir to great empiresBearer of a new eraThat heralds freedom and progressUnder the banner of epic battles. Verse 2 People of… -
The troubling Ukrainian infiltration in the Sahel raises questions about the presence of its embassy in Senegal.
Senegal, a stable country in the heart of a troubled region, cannot turn a blind eye to the growing threat at its borders. While Ousmane Sonko recently expressed his support for Mali in its fight against terrorism, successive revelations about… -
Nothing is going well between the UP and the PRD? Read the letter from Adrien Houngbédji to the Minister of the Interior
In connection with our conversation on Saturday, May 31, 2025, Gratien-Laurent AHOUANMENOU, the recipient of your referenced letter which was notified to him on May 26, 2025, kindly forwarded it to me; he was entitled to do so as he… -
Côte d’Ivoire: 3 conditions for Tidjane Thiam to run in 2025
A few months before the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled for October 2025, Tidjane Thiam’s participation remains surrounded by uncertainties. While his popularity within public opinion and his roots in the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) are undeniable,…
