Africa: Press Review of Francophone Africa on August 9, 2023

Ivory Coast: Pdci-Rda – General Gaston Ouassénan Koné, vice-president of the party, has passed away

General Gaston Ouassénan Koné, vice-president of the Pdci-Rda, passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in Abidjan, exactly one week after the death of former President Henri Konan Bédié, with whom he was a loyal companion. Born on April 24, 1939, in Katiola, Gaston Ouassénan Koné was a senior officer, Ivorian politician, and novelist. He commanded operations during the Guébié crisis and later served as a minister in several governments. (Source: Fratmat.info)

Nigeria: ECOWAS weakened by the coup plotters – Tinubu dismisses military option in Niger…

The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will gather on Thursday, August 10, in Abuja to address the political situation in Niger, where a coup d’état has brought an end to Mohamed Bazoum’s regime. Bola Tinubu and his peers, who previously threatened to remove the coup plotters by force, have retracted their stance. The military option is no longer on the table, and diplomacy is now the chosen path. “Diplomacy is the best way to resolve the crisis in Niger,” announced the Nigerian presidency. However, the junta currently rejects this approach. (Source: africaguinee.com)

Guinea: New critical alert regarding Kassory – “His illness progresses every day…”

Former Guinean Prime Minister, Dr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, has been bedridden at the Pasteur Clinic in Conakry since February. He is accused of “alleged misappropriation of public funds, illicit enrichment, money laundering, corruption,” and he has requested medical evacuation, which the Court of Repression of Economic and Financial Offenses (Crief) rejected. (Source: africaguinee.com)

CAR: Fight against insecurity – Six suspected armed robbers arrested by police in the 8th district

Six suspected armed robbers were apprehended on August 6 in the early morning in the 8th district of Bangui. These individuals, who had just finished their activities, were intercepted by the police. Two of them were shot, while their armed leader managed to escape. After several minutes of exchange of fire with the police, these suspected armed robbers were arrested. Their ages range from 15 to 24 years old. The police commissioner of the 8th district of Bangui explains the circumstances under which these young people were apprehended.

Gabon: Development assistance – AFD commits €76 million in Gabon in 2022

In the course of its activities and interventions in Gabon during 2022, the Agence française de développement (AFD) has unlocked €76.6 million (50.161 billion CFA francs) for 11 ongoing projects. According to the 2022 Central Africa activity report from the French Development Agency, Gabon, the fourth country after Congo in terms of funds received and ongoing projects, received €76.6 million for 11 projects, accounting for 15.96% of the €480 million allocated for projects in Central Africa in the same period. This financial support, an increase of €31.6 million compared to 2021, has mainly been directed towards biodiversity protection, access to healthcare, and education. (Source: alibreville.com)

Senegal: Karim Wade appeals for the return of liberals

Karim Wade, the declared candidate of the PDS, has made an appeal for the return of liberals who left his father’s party for Bennoo Bokk Yaakaar, among others. Les Échos, which leaked the information, reports that the former state minister contacted several former PDS leaders via WhatsApp during late hours of the night. One of them, speaking anonymously to the same newspaper, agrees: “He called us to talk about his upcoming participation in the presidential elections next February. (…) What he wants is for us, who were by Me Abdoulaye Wade’s side, who believe in liberalism and the development of Senegal, to continue what Macky Sall started.”

Mali: Joint Cooperation Commission – Olivia Rouamba briefs Assimi Goïta

As part of the 10th session of the Joint Cooperation Commission between Burkina Faso and the Republic of Mali, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, Olivia Rouamba, is currently in Bamako, Mali. On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, she was received in audience by the Transitional President, Head of State, Colonel Assimi Goïta. During this meeting, Minister Olivia Rouamba provided an update on the works of the 10th session of the Joint Cooperation Commission to the Head of State. She assured that relations were excellent, and the departments in charge of Foreign Affairs in both countries are working towards consolidating good neighborly relations and achieving the perfect integration of the two peoples, in line with their common aspirations.

Niger: Governance – New appointments to high military positions

The President of the National Council for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), General Tiani Abdourahamane, has made replacements within the military hierarchy on Monday, August 7. Following these decrees, Brigadier General Amadou Didilli has been appointed as President of the High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACOP). Brigadier General Abou Tagué Mahamadou has been appointed Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the National Gendarmerie. Colonel Ibro Amadou Bacharou has become the Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic, while Lieutenant-Colonel Habibou Assoumane has been appointed Commander of the Presidential Guard. Earlier in the evening, former Minister of Finance Mahamane Lamine ZEINE was appointed as the Prime Minister of the transition. (Source: Anp)