NEWS
Breaking national and international news. This section keeps you updated on major events shaping the world, in real time.
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Uganda: President Museveni and his wife issue public apology for 38 years in power
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni issued a public apology to the Ugandan people during a religious ceremony in Kampala. In power since 1986, Museveni publicly asked for forgiveness over the weekend for the “mistakes,” “laxity,” and… -
Northern bypass of Cotonou: from flagship project to prolonged limbo
Once announced as a symbol of President Patrice Talon’s “rupture” agenda, the northern bypass project in Cotonou now stands as a stark illustration of the challenges tied to ambitious infrastructure ventures in Benin. Amid bold political promises, shifting routes, technical… -
Cooperation: Selma Ashipala-Musavyi received by her Beninese counterpart during official visit
Benin and Namibia are reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. On Monday, May 26, Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, welcomed his Namibian counterpart, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, for an official visit to Cotonou. The meeting, marked by… -
Benin – GDIZ: first successful clothing shipment for French brand GEMO
A historic milestone has been reached for the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), which has officially completed its first shipment of garments to French fashion brand GEMO. This achievement marks a decisive step in Benin’s ambition to become a key player… -
Benin: young man appears before anti-terror court for aiding armed groups in the north
A young motorcycle taxi driver suspected of ties to armed groups appeared on Monday, May 26, before the correctional chamber of the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET). He is being prosecuted for belonging to a… -
Niger: around fifty soldiers killed in terrorist attack
Early on Sunday, May 25, hundreds of jihadists on motorbikes launched a brutal assault on a base housing Niger’s National Guard and Special Forces. Taken by surprise and outnumbered, the initial security units were forced to retreat, leaving the elite… -
Venezuela election: a hollow victory for the ruling camp
On May 25, 2025, Venezuelans went to the polls to elect new deputies, governors, and mayors. For some, it was a democratic façade; for others, a show of resilience. What was meant to be a nationwide electoral celebration turned into… -
Benin – Autonomous Port of Cotonou introduces new container stuffing rules for exports
The administration of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) has taken a new step in its strategy to modernize and streamline port operations. In an official memo dated May 22, 2025, PAC Director General Bart Johan Jozef Van Eenoo announced… -
Ouattara meets Lamine Zeine in Abidjan on sidelines of AfDB summit
On the sidelines of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine was received by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan—marking what appears to be a first step toward easing long-standing… -
Benin – Urban mobility: IDA grants 120 billion CFA francs to revolutionize transport in the Grand Nokoué
The Grand Nokoué area—an urban hub that includes Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, Porto-Novo, Sèmè-Podji, and Ouidah—is poised for a major overhaul of its transportation system. The International Development Association (IDA), a branch of the World Bank Group, has approved a $200 million… -
Benin – Electoral code revision: the government won’t bow to pressure
President Patrice Talon’s administration has made it clear: it does not intend to yield to mounting pressure regarding a revision of the electoral code. This was the key message delivered by Deputy Secretary-General and government spokesperson Léandre Wilfried Houngbédji during… -
Bac-1 2025 in Togo: written exams begin with 90,249 candidates in the running
The examination season for the 2024–2025 academic year has officially kicked off in Togo. On Monday, May 26, written tests for the first part of the Baccalaureate (BAC 1) began across the entire country. A total of 90,249 candidates from… -
Permis.justice.bj: Benin digitizes prison visitation permits
Starting August 1, 2025, the Benin Prison Agency will require a new digital authorization system for all prison visits. Families, lawyers, NGOs, and institutions must now go through the official online platform or the “Justice BJ” mobile application to obtain… -
“Social dialogue is completely dead in Benin,” says Anselme Amoussou
Anselme Amoussou, Secretary General of CSA-Bénin, has declared the “death” of social dialogue in Benin during an appearance on the program De vous à nous on Peace FM, Sunday, May 25, 2025. According to Amoussou, the country’s consultation bodies have… -
Benin’s electoral code: why Jean-Baptiste Elias’s demonstration hits home
In Benin, Jean-Baptiste Elias, president of the National Front of Organizations against Corruption (FONAC), has sparked widespread reaction within political and civil society circles with his breakdown of Article 146 of the new electoral code. Using a numerical simulation, he… -
France: National Assembly adopts assisted dying bill in first reading
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, French lawmakers voted in first reading to approve a controversial bill establishing a right to assisted dying, along with a separate proposal to strengthen palliative care. The aim is to provide a legal framework for… -
Benin: 44 dailies, 2 biweeklies, 7 weeklies, 1 bimonthly and 1 monthly officially recognized
On May 22, 2025, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) of the Republic of Benin issued a major decision regarding the publication of newspapers and periodicals legally recognized in the country. This decision, registered under number 25-033/HAAC, aims… -
Benin: Paul Hounkpè defends FCBE’s political stance
Often criticized for its perceived closeness to the ruling regime, the Force Cauris pour un Bénin Émergent (FCBE) is determined to silence the skeptics and reassert itself as a political force ready for action. During a visit to Savè, where… -
No, the Northern Bypass of Cotonou has not been abandoned
That was the clear message delivered by José Didier Tonato, Benin’s Minister of Living Environment and Transport, during the televised program “PAG 2021–2026: accountability”. Amid growing doubts about this strategic infrastructure project, Minister Tonato offered key clarifications. “Many believe the… -
Benin: slow pace at the Ministry of Energy raises concern among investors
Since Samou Seïdou Adambi left the Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines in December, the administration has been running at a slower pace, raising growing concerns among investors and economic operators, according to a report by Africa Intelligence. Appointed in… -
United Kingdom: car plows into crowd during Liverpool Reds parade
A car driven by an individual struck several pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool, England.The incident occurred on Monday, May 26, 2025, shortly after 6 p.m., amid celebrations for Liverpool Football Club’s English Premier League title. A serious incident disrupted… -
Benin: Over 1,500 rape cases reported in the first quarter of 2025
Chimène Yédjénou, a legal officer at the Legal Affairs Unit of Benin’s National Institute for Women (INF), has raised alarm over the dramatic rise in sexual violence across the country, based on recent INF statistics. Benin is facing a troubling… -
Patrice Talon, 365 days from the terminus
In accordance with the Constitution, Benin’s new president will be sworn in on May 24, 2026. This means that with less than a year to go until the April 2026 presidential election, President Patrice Talon is entering the final stretch… -
Cooperation: Bassirou Diomaye Faye on state visit to his counterpart Umaro Sissoco Embaló
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye departed Dakar on Monday, May 26, 2025, for a two-day state visit to Guinea-Bissau at the invitation of his counterpart, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. This trip reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the ties of… -
Benin: verdict in Steve Amoussou case postponed to next Monday
On Monday, May 26, 2025, Steve Amoussou—suspected of being the controversial commentator known as “Brother Hounvi”—once again appeared before the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET). Expected to finally hear the verdict in the case that… -
Security in the Sahel: Algeria reaffirms its role as a pillar and keeps its hand extended
Algeria sent a clear and unequivocal message to its Sahel neighbors and the international community amid growing tensions and geopolitical rivalries in this unstable region. The statement was made on Monday in Algiers during a high-level seminar on security challenges… -
Benin’s 2025 Baccalaureate: Practical exams begin Monday, May 26
Candidates for the 2025 Baccalaureate session in Benin now have the official schedule for their initial assessments. In a press release, the Directorate of the Baccalaureate Office (DOB) announced that the practical exams will begin on Monday, May 26, 2025.… -
CEP 2025 in Benin: 271,890 candidates expected
One week ahead of the official start of the 2025 session of the Primary School Certificate exam (Certificat d’Études Primaires, CEP), official figures have been released. A total of 271,890 candidates are expected to sit for the exam across testing… -
“I want to be proven wrong on live TV”: Jacques Ayadji stands firm and challenges his critics
Appearing on Canal 3 Bénin’s Sunday political talk show, Jacques Ayadji, ministerial adviser on infrastructure and president of the Moele-Bénin party, delivered a dense, often combative and always strategic interview. Facing criticism from the opposition—particularly the Les Démocrates party—he reaffirmed… -
“Workers’ morale is at its lowest,” says Anselme Amoussou
Speaking on the Sunday, May 25, 2025 edition of the “De vous à nous” program on Peace FM, Anselme Amoussou, Secretary General of CSA Bénin, painted a grim picture of the state of union activism and workers’ rights in Benin.…