NEWS

Discontent is mounting among Nigerien transport workers, who are grappling with rising insecurity and a prolonged diplomatic standoff between Niamey and Cotonou. The deadly May 18, 2025 attack on a freight convoy traveling along the Burkina Faso corridor has reignited…

With less than two months to go before Togo’s municipal elections, scheduled for July 10, 2025, discussions around a possible postponement have taken center stage among political stakeholders. During the 21st session of the Permanent Consultation Framework (CPC), held on…

In an official statement issued on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, under reference 2025/0503/P-UIB/SG/SGA/SA, the Islamic Union of Benin (UIB) announced key dates for the holy month of Dhul Hijjah 1446, setting the religious calendar for the Muslim community in Benin.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…