West Africa

In Ivory Coast, it is a too-frequent “phenomenon” that arouses Abidjani's anger: building collapses due to poor craftsmanship. Ten days ago, a dozen people were killed in the collapse of a five-story building under construction in the Anono district of Cocody. Last Saturday, balconies in a three-story building fell without causing any casualties. Last year, eleven buildings in Abidjan collapsed. In Côte d'Ivoire, the rules for building permits are clear. The plans must be signed by an architect. For buildings with more…

All-round hearings of activists arrested on the sidelines of the "Sonko affair". Among them, Guy Marius Sagna, coordinator of the Frapp-France Degage movement, heard on Monday, March 22, about the merits of the examining magistrate. The activist, who was arrested on February 22, condemned a "conspiracy" against opponent Ousmane Sonko, who was accused of raping an employee in a massage parlor. The…

During a news conference Monday night, March 22, in Niamey, opponent Mahamane Ousmane challenged the presidential candidate's ruling from the Constitutional Court, which validated Mohamed Bazoum's victory. Mahamane Ousmane calls for a peaceful march across the territory, for the mobilization of the people and for the support of the constituted bodies and the armed forces.…

Work is likely to be severely disrupted this Monday, March 22, in the tax, customs and Gabonese public treasuries. "No money, no work," the Association of Financial Authorities Collectors (Fecorefi) decided this Friday, March 19th. They demand payment of the budget performance bonus that the government refuses to pay because, he says, the performance of these agents has been below expectations. The tax…

The election of Mohamed Bazoum to the Nigerian presidency was validated on Sunday, March 21, by the Constitutional Court. The PNDS candidate won by just over ten points ahead of his opponent, Mahamane Ousmane: 55.66% of the vote against 44.34% for his rival. Mahamadou Issoufou's successor is therefore elected for five years.…

Two benchmarks indicate a decline in democracy around the world by 2020. In Africa, the 10 most democratic countries no longer include Benin, but include Malawi. "A struggle without leaders for democracy," is the unpleasant headline in Freedom House's latest annual report. This American and independent think tank measures the…

Officials and religious leaders are mobilizing to encourage the population to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The most populous country in Africa received nearly 4 million doses of this vaccine as part of the Covax unit in early March. Many vaccination centers have opened their doors in major cities across the country for people over the age of 70 and particularly vulnerable occupations. Despite a few disagreements, Nigerian politicians continue to promote vaccination against Covid-19, and religious authorities have an…

Ocean Viking, the boat from the SOS Mediterranean organization, is conducting a new rescue campaign in the central Mediterranean. At sea, the ship rescued 796 people from Libya to Europe in January and February. RFI embarks on this mission. Every day we receive the logbook from our special correspondent. "Please play a game with me," Amias asks me. The 9-year-old boy points to two painted boards on the floor. Wooden puck acts as pawns. Amias has been aboard the Ocean Viking for three days: he has already had the…

It is again authorized to make music, songs and dances in the liquor companies under a decree of the Governor of Dakar from 20 March. Activities that had been suspended for several months to combat the spread of coronavirus. The state of health disaster in Dakar and Thiès had already ended on Friday 19 March at midnight, with the majority of Covid-19 cases concentrated. Senegal has passed the 1,000-related death mark and 37,833 positive cases of the coronavirus pandemic. The tables at this Corniche des Almadies…

Despite a dying book and publishing sector in the country, "the literary re-entry of Mali" has tried every year for thirteen years to stimulate and question the industry. Literary cafes, debates and conferences were at the heart of the meetings this week. An exchange week that ended on Saturday, March 20 with an evening of prize giving.…