First Independent Mena Newspaper
President Andry Rajoelina’s call for national dialogue fell flat on Wednesday (8 Oct) as thousands of protesters, led by Madagascar’s Gen Z movement, boycotted the talks and vowed to escalate demonstrations unless demands are met. More than 1,500 representatives from civil society — including church leaders, academics, unions, and entrepreneurs — attended the presidential palace […]
As Cameroon approaches its presidential election due to be held on 12 October, fears are mounting over growing political repression, widespread insecurity, and a fractured opposition — all of which threaten the credibility of the vote. The 92-year-old President Paul Biya, Africa’s longest-ruling leader, is seeking an unprecedented eighth term in office. Despite mounting calls […]
Three months ahead of Ivory Coast’s presidential election, President Alassane Ouattara has confirmed he will seek a controversial fourth term, a move reigniting political unrest and drawing criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups. In a televised address, the 83-year-old leader said his decision was driven by a desire to safeguard the country’s stability […]
South Sudanese authorities have confirmed on Tuesday, July 08, the arrival and custody of eight men deported from the United States, who landed at Juba International Airport on Saturday. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Apuk Ayuel, the individuals were transferred through “standard deportation procedures” and are currently being screened by relevant Government bodies to ensure […]
Civil society groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are calling for a fresh review of the country’s mining agreement with Chinese companies, citing substantial financial losses and continued imbalances despite a 2024 renegotiation. The “Congo Is Not For Sale” coalition (CNPAV) claims that the revised deal, originally signed in 2008 by the then-president […]
Guinea’s military junta, led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, is facing mounting resistance from the country’s resilient civil society and pro-democracy movement as it seeks to extend its hold on power. Since seizing power in a 2021 coup, Doumbouya’s government has delayed its promised return to constitutional order, now eyeing elections for 2025 after missing a […]
Campaigning for the upcoming presidential election is in full swing in Senegal, as the country’s voters will head to the polls this Sunday (24 March), in which as many as 93 candidates, including six women, initially declared their intent to run. But this year, the total of 19 presidential candidates that were ultimately confirmed, were […]
M62, an umbrella of civil society organizations in Niger, Sunday demanded the trial of former President Issoufou Mahamadou that they accuse of high treason for a railway contract given to French business tycoon Vincent Bollore, Anadolu news agency reports. “We demand the trial of the former President Issoufou Mahamadou by competent jurisdiction for high treason […]
Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, head of Guinea’s ruling junta, has named the 81 members of the National Transitional Council (CNT), the transitional legislative body that will decide when civilians return to power. Doctor Danso Kourouma, a civil society activist, was named president of the CNT, according to a decree read out Saturday night on state television. […]
A group of Algerian human rights organizations and militants have called on the Algerian authorities to put an end to the new wave of cracking down and violations of the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, assembly and association. In their joint statement released lately, they called for the immediate liberation of prisoners of conscience, […]