gas-extraction

Burundi’s ‘clean sweep’ vote sparks fears of authoritarian consolidation

Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FDD, has claimed all 100 contested seats in the 5 June parliamentary election, prompting outcry from opposition groups and rights organizations who allege systematic electoral fraud and political repression. According to official results, CNDD-FDD secured 96.5% of the vote, with no other party surpassing the 2% threshold required for parliamentary representation. Opposition […]

Morocco opens digital payment market, ends CMI’s near-monopoly

Morocco has officially dismantled the near-monopoly held by le Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI) over electronic payment terminals, marking a major shift in the country’s digital economy and financial sector. The reform, which took effect on May 1, 2025, allows banks, fintech firms, and independent payment providers to directly offer point-of-sale (POS) services to merchants, a […]

UN urges action to address displacement in Sahel

The UN refugee agency UNHCR urged concrete actions to avert forced displacement in the war-ravaged Sahel, warning of a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. Nearly 3.3 million people were forced to flee their homes in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger due to increasing terrorist activity, exacerbated by drought, the UNHCR said in a statement. “The security situation […]