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In Mali, the ruling junta is facing an angry opposition after the authorities announced that they were postponing the organization of a presidential election. Officially, the transition was supposed to end on March 26, but the Malian authorities put the restoration of security ahead of the elections. This was all it took for the opposition to demonstrate their discontent, even accusing the current government of trying to maintain its power by force. This climate of protest was brought to an abrupt halt by the junta's suspension of all political activities until further notice, and the dissolution of a coordination of parties and organizations critical of the junta. Feeling unjustly wronged, political parties and civil society organizations lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court, calling for the decree suspending political activities to be annulled. The Constitutional Court declared itself "incompetent" to hear the case.
In addition to the tense political climate, the authorities are also facing serious accusations of murder and cattle rustling in several villages in the Diankabou commune in central Mali. According to local notables and residents, joined by independent journalists, 18 to 21 people, including children, have been summarily slaughtered by the army and its Wagner auxiliaries. In addition to these atrocities, they are accused of having stolen at least 400 head of cattle, an accusation rejected by the security source, who claims that these animals are the subject of a dispute and that the governor of the region is in the process of identifying the real owners.
While the politicians squabble, the jihadists continue their misdeeds. No fewer than 110 civilians were held by suspected jihadists for more than 8 days in the center of the country, before some were freed. These kidnappings have not been claimed, but many local sources attribute them to the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), which has several similar abductions to its credit.
Au Mali la junte au pouvoir fait face à une opposition en colère suite à l'annonce du report de l’organisation d’une présidentielle par les autorités. En effet, officiellement, la transition était censée prendre fin le 26 mars dernier, mais les autorités maliennes ont mis en avant le rétablissement de la sécurité avant de penser à des élections. Il n’en fallait pas plus à l’opposition pour manifester leur mécontentement en accusant même le pouvoir en place de vouloir se maintenir par la force. Ce climat de contestation s'est vu brutalement stoppé par une suspension de toutes activités politiques jusqu’à nouvel ordre décrété par la junte et de la dissolution d’une coordination de partis et d'organisations critiques à la junte. Se sentant injustement lésée, des partis politiques et des organisations de la société civile ont déposé un recours devant la cour suprême demandant l’annulation du décret suspendant les activités politiques. Recours pour lequel la cour constitutionnelle s'est dite « incompétente ».
Au-delà du climat politique très tendu, les autorités font aussi fasse a de grave accusation de meurtre et de vol de bétails dans plusieurs village de la commune de Diankabou qui se situe dans le centre du Mali. Selon les notables et les habitants de la zone, rejoints par des journalistes indépendants, 18 à 21 personnes parmi lesquelles des enfants auraient été sommairement abattues par l’armée et ses supplétifs de Wagner. En plus de ses exactions, ils sont accusés d’avoir volé au moins 400 têtes de bétail, accusation rejetée par la source sécuritaire qui affirme que ces animaux feraient l’objet d’un litige et que le gouverneur de la région serait en cours d’identification des réels propriétaires.
Pendant que les politiques se querellent, les djihadistes continuent leurs méfaits. En effet, pas moins de 110 civils ont été retenus par des djihadistes présumés pendant plus de 8 jours dans le centre du pays avant qu’une partie ne soit libérée. Ces enlèvements n’ont pas été revendiqués mais de nombreuses sources locales les attribuent au Front de libérations du Macina (FLM) qui compte plusieurs rapts similaires à son actif.
In April 2024, Cameroon was confronted with a series of deadly attacks perpetrated by the terrorist group Boko Haram in the Far North region. These attacks resulted in the death of several civilians, including a member of a vigilance committee. In particular, the attack on the island of Kofiya, where fishermen were massacred, aroused strong emotions and underlined the security challenges facing the local population.
At the same time, Cameroon's security forces were targeted, with the death of a soldier from the Multinational Mixed Force (FMM) in an attack in Zingué.
In terms of cultural life, the inauguration of the museum dedicated to the history of the Bamoun kingdom represents a significant event. This museum offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of Cameroon's historical and cultural heritage, particularly that of local populations such as the Bamouns.
However, despite these positive advances in the field of culture, the country continues to face major humanitarian challenges. The saturation of the Minawao refugee camp in the Far North region highlights the growing pressure on infrastructure and resources due to the continuing influx of refugees fleeing the violence of Boko Haram.
In addition, the release of three Cameroonian hostages held in Nigeria was a moment of relief, but also a reminder of the persistent threats to the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers in the region.
Finally, calls for the release of Marafa Hamidou Yaya, a political prisoner, raise questions about the human rights and justice situation in Cameroon. This case highlights concerns about prolonged detentions and allegations of politically-motivated treatment of prisoners.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella's visit to Côte d'Ivoire highlighted cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy and immigration. With the Italian giant ENI, oil and natural gas production was launched in the "Baleine" field, while a new discovery, the "Calao" deposit, promises significant potential for the country. Discussions also focused on immigration issues, with Ivorians among the sub-Saharan nationals arriving illegally in Italy in early 2023, raising concerns about security and migratory flows in the Mediterranean.
In a tense political context, the telephone exchange between former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and President Alassane Ouattara marked the start of a political détente. A former rebel leader now living in exile, Soro has expressed his desire for reconciliation, although tensions remain since his departure in 2019 and his sentences in absentia in 2020 and 2021.
The Ivorian political scene is also animated by ex-president Laurent Gbagbo's candidacy for the 2025 presidential election, despite his current ineligibility due to previous convictions. His return to the political scene raises questions about the country's political future, and rekindles historic divisions between his supporters and those of the current president.
On the diplomatic front, the inauguration of a Ukrainian embassy in Côte d'Ivoire testifies to the growing relations between the two countries, with a focus on economic and security cooperation, as well as the fight against cybercrime and disinformation. This initiative also aims to strengthen Ukraine's presence in West Africa, against a backdrop of diplomatic rivalry with Russia.
On the environmental front, Côte d'Ivoire is facing challenges linked to climate change, notably record heat waves that are disrupting agriculture, jeopardizing a sector that is crucial to the national economy. It is also facing economic challenges, with debts that are the subject of debate despite record growth.
At the same time, persistent concerns about drug trafficking and regional security are evident in the trial of alleged cocaine traffickers and the announcement of European Union aid to strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities, as the country plans to begin repatriating 55,000 Burkinabe refugees from June onwards.
Finally, Abidjan hosted the 5th Africa-Europe regional forum, focusing on the preservation of African cultural heritage. Discussions focused on the use of technology to digitize endangered architectural heritage, with proposals such as photogrammetry and 360-degree immersive video.
En avril 2024, le Cameroun a été confronté à une série d'attaques meurtrières perpétrées par le groupe terroriste Boko Haram dans la région de l'Extrême-Nord. Ces attaques ont causé la mort de plusieurs civils, dont un membre d'un comité de vigilance. En particulier, l'attaque sur l'île de Kofiya, où des pêcheurs ont été massacrés, a suscité une vive émotion et souligné les défis sécuritaires auxquels est confrontée la population locale.
Parallèlement, les forces de sécurité camerounaises ont été prises pour cible, avec la mort d'un militaire de la Force mixte multinationale (FMM) lors d'une attaque à Zingué.
En ce qui concerne la vie culturelle, l'inauguration du musée dédié à l'histoire du royaume Bamoun représente un événement significatif. Ce musée offre une opportunité de mettre en lumière l'importance du patrimoine historique et culturel du Cameroun, en particulier celui des populations locales comme les Bamouns.
Cependant, malgré ces avancées positives dans le domaine de la culture, le pays continue de faire face à des défis humanitaires majeurs. La saturation du camp de réfugiés de Minawao dans la région de l'Extrême-Nord met en lumière la pression croissante sur les infrastructures et les ressources en raison de l'afflux continu de réfugiés fuyant les violences de Boko Haram.
En outre, la libération de trois otages camerounais détenus au Nigeria a été un moment de soulagement, mais aussi un rappel des menaces persistantes pesant sur la sécurité des populations civiles et des travailleurs humanitaires dans la région.
Enfin, les appels à la libération de Marafa Hamidou Yaya, un détenu politique, soulèvent des questions sur la situation des droits de l'homme et de la justice au Cameroun. Cette affaire met en lumière les préoccupations concernant les détentions prolongées et les allégations de motivations politiques dans le traitement des prisonniers.
La visite du président italien Sergio Mattarella en Côte d'Ivoire a mis en lumière la coopération entre les deux pays dans les domaines de l'énergie et de l'immigration. Avec le géant italien ENI, une production de pétrole et de gaz naturel a été lancée dans le champ "Baleine", tandis qu'une nouvelle découverte, le gisement "Calao", promet un potentiel significatif pour le pays. Les discussions ont également porté sur les questions d'immigration, alors que les Ivoiriens figuraient parmi les ressortissants subsahariens arrivant, clandestinement, en Italie début 2023, soulevant des préoccupations quant à la sécurité et aux flux migratoires en Méditerranée.
Dans un contexte politique tendu, l'échange téléphonique entre l'ex-Premier ministre Guillaume Soro et le président Alassane Ouattara a marqué un début de décrispation politique. Ancien chef de la rébellion et désormais en exil, Soro exprime sa volonté de réconciliation, bien que des tensions subsistent depuis son départ en 2019 et ses condamnations par contumace en 2020 et 2021.
L’actualité politique ivoirienne est également animé par la candidature de l'ex-président Laurent Gbagbo à l'élection présidentielle de 2025, malgré son inéligibilité actuelle en raison de condamnations antérieures. Son retour sur la scène politique soulève des questions sur l'avenir politique du pays et ravive les divisions historiques entre ses partisans et ceux du président actuel.
Sur le plan diplomatique, l'inauguration d'une ambassade ukrainienne en Côte d'Ivoire témoigne des relations croissantes entre les deux pays, avec un accent mis sur la coopération économique et sécuritaire, ainsi que sur la lutte contre la cybercriminalité et la désinformation. Cette initiative vise également à renforcer la présence de l'Ukraine en Afrique de l'Ouest dans un contexte de rivalité diplomatique avec la Russie.
En matière environnementale, la Côte d'Ivoire est confrontée à des défis liés au changement climatique, notamment des records de chaleur qui perturbent l'agriculture, mettant en péril un secteur crucial pour l'économie nationale. Elle est aussi confrontée à des défis économiques avec un endettement qui fait débat malgré une croissance record.
Parallèlement, des préoccupations persistantes concernant le trafic de drogue et la sécurité régionale se manifestent à travers le procès de présumés trafiquants de cocaïne et l'annonce d'une aide de l'Union européenne pour renforcer les capacités de lutte contre le terrorisme, à l’heure où le pays prévoit de commencer le rapatriement de 55 000 réfugiés burkinabè à partir de juin.
Enfin, Abidjan a accueilli le 5e forum régional Afrique-Europe, axé sur la préservation des patrimoines culturels africains. Les discussions ont porté sur l'utilisation de la technologie pour la numérisation du patrimoine architectural menacé, avec des propositions telles que la photogrammétrie et la vidéo immersive à 360 degrés.
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During the month of April 2024, Guinea was the scene of significant political and social developments, illustrating the challenges facing this country with a transition whose intentions and directions are as yet unclear. First of all, the process of drafting a new constitution, initially scheduled for September of the previous year, was delayed by various institutional obstacles and the surprise dissolution of the government in February. Despite the delays, the president of the transition, General Mamadi Doumbouya, announced that a referendum would be held this year, thus signaling an extension of the transition period beyond the date initially scheduled.
Meanwhile, growing insecurity in the country's second largest city, Kankan, has become a major concern. Armed robberies are on the increase, endangering the lives of citizens and undermining confidence in local authorities to ensure public safety. Recent attacks, some of which have resulted in deaths, testify to a persistent climate of insecurity in the region and the need for urgent measures to remedy it.
At the same time, press freedom is under increasing threat in Guinea, with the suspension of media outlets and news websites under the pretext of "national security". This widely denounced "repression" of freedom of expression is causing growing concern among media professionals, who are requesting a direct audience with President Mamadi Doumbouya to express their concerns and defend their right to independently inform the public.
On the political front, the opposition is organizing around the Union Sacrée, a group of civil society organizations and political parties, to put pressure on the current transition. The Union Sacrée is calling for elections to be held as soon as possible, and expressing concern about the prolongation of the transition and a possible attempt by the ruling junta to seize power. These developments testify to the persistent tensions between the various political players and the need to find a consensus to ensure a democratic and peaceful transition in Guinea.
April 2024 was marked by the inauguration and first steps of the youngest president in the country's history, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the political and economic developments that followed. He was sworn in as president, succeeding Macky Sall, at a solemn ceremony in the new town of Diamniadio: a flagship project of the Sall presidency. His election was helped, among other circumstances, by the promise of a break with the previous "system", and the appointment of Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister was a sign of this desire for "systemic" change. The newly-elected president's first speech focused on youth, institutional reform, justice and "virtuous" governance, particularly in the context of the future exploitation of oil and gas resources.
The composition of the government led by Ousmane Sonko highlights a tightly-knit team, marked by the notable presence of members of the Pastef movement, from which the Prime Minister hails. The appointment of two generals to key posts (Interior and Defense) also drew mixed reactions, as did the minimalist presence of just 4 women. The death of Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, former Prime Minister and presidential candidate, also marked the month of April, while providing an opportunity for a "republican" display for the Prime Minister, who presided over the funeral ceremony, alongside illustrious individuals from the regime defeated by PASTEF.
On the economic front, the new president ordered an economic and financial review of the country, with a focus on economic recovery and reducing public spending. The resumption of the maritime link between Dakar and Ziguinchor was welcomed by the Casamance region, while a record cocaine seizure was made in the east of the country.
The preservation of the country's heritage also received particular attention, with the suspension of an auction of the library of Léopold Sédar Senghor, former president and poet of Senegal.
In addition, as he reserved his first visits for Touba and Tivaouane (the two main capitals of the influential brotherhoods), the President announced the creation of a Department of Religious Affairs and the Integration of Arab Education Graduates. This new entity, which will report to the Presidency, will bring together offices previously under the separate responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior and National Education.
On the international scene, Bassirou Diomaye Faye made his first foreign visit to Mauritania, emphasizing the importance of relations with neighboring countries, as well as the future joint exploitation of gas resources. His visit to Gambia was part of a drive to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations, on which the definitive resolution of the crisis in Casamance largely depends. Finally, his diplomatic meeting in Guinea-Bissau at the end of the month provided an opportunity to discuss border issues, security and Chinese fisheries.
On the diplomatic front, the Senegalese President called for a "rethought" partnership with the European Union, highlighting the country's economic development priorities, while continuing official visits such as the one to Côte d'Ivoire, where President Faye will meet President Alassane Ouattara, one of the deans of ECOWAS.