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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Presidential 2026 in Benin: what are the chances for Daniel Edah?
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Daniel Edah, former commissioner at ECOWAS and unsuccessful candidate in the 2016 presidential election, officially announced his candidacy for the presidential election of April 2026. In a speech full of humility and determination, he presents… -
“What is just must be strong, not what is strong must be just”: Kevin Ferdinand Ngjimba on the ICC
The International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 2002 under the promise of impartial justice, was meant to embody the hope of a world where war criminals—no matter who they were—would finally be brought to justice. But more than two decades… -
What are Adrien Houngbédji and the PRD up to?
Over 80 years old, Adrien Houngbédji seems to refuse to bow out and reignites the national debate with surprising positions, while blurring the lines between power and opposition in a Benin seeking democratic respite. The former President of Parliament challenges… -
Togo: the political journey of President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové
On May 3, 2025, Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové was sworn in as president of the Republic of Togo, marking a historic moment in the country’s political landscape. Following a constitutional reform adopted in May 2024, Togo transitioned to a parliamentary… -
AES: a new era of regional integration in West Africa
A new momentum is emerging in West Africa, driven by a desire for regional cooperation free from external pressures. At the heart of this movement is the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—three… -
ECOWAS powerless in the face of terrorist threat
On April 17, Benin suffered the deadliest jihadist attack in its history—a grim milestone in the escalating violence gripping the country’s northern region. The incident once again exposes the weakness of the regional security architecture and the worrying inertia of… -
Zelensky rejects May 9 ceasefire, Moscow accuses him of making threats
As May 9 approaches—a date marking the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Nazism—tensions remain high between Moscow and Kyiv. While Russia plans to hold major celebrations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has flatly rejected the Kremlin’s proposal for a three-day… -
Côte d’Ivoire: why Tidjane Thiam’s party is struggling to mobilize
Since the announcement of his removal from the electoral roll, PDCI-RDA president Tidjane Thiam has been at the center of heated debate in Côte d’Ivoire. Yet despite the controversy, displays of public support have remained relatively modest. What explains this… -
Benin: with one year to go before the 2026 presidential election, candidates remain elusive
As Benin officially enters the electoral year leading up to the April 2026 presidential election, the political landscape remains surprisingly quiet. The National Autonomous Electoral Commission (Céna) released the electoral calendar weeks ago, yet candidacies have been slow to emerge.… -
Stripped from the electoral roll, is Tidjane Thiam now stateless?
The recent decision to remove Tidjane Thiam from Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral roll has sparked widespread outrage. At the heart of the controversy lies Article 48 of the Ivorian Nationality Code, which stipulates that any Ivorian who acquires another nationality after… -
In Benin, military communication put to the test by terrorism
At a time when warfare is no longer confined to the battlefield but extends into the realm of information, the Beninese armed forces are facing a dual challenge: ensuring national security while mastering their narrative. It’s a slow but inevitable… -
Senegal / Covid-19: A Wave of Legal Action Over Embezzlement Allegations
In Senegal, the first major judicial repercussions linked to the management of Covid-19 funds are starting to bring down prominent figures. Five former ministers from the government of ex-president Macky Sall are now under judicial scrutiny, accused of serious mismanagement… -
Boeings for peace: Is a Trump-Putin deal taking shape?
As the war in Ukraine drags on and peace talks struggle to gain traction, a report from Bloomberg has reignited debate. According to the agency, Vladimir Putin is reportedly exploring the possibility of using frozen Russian assets in the United… -
“Vassal of the United States”: J.D. Vance takes another swipe at Europe
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance recently gave an interview to a British media outlet in which he questioned the security relationship between the United States and Europe. According to him, it is unhealthy for Europeans to remain dependent on Washington…
