West Africa’s political landscape is growing increasingly fraught, with rising tensions in Ivory Coast ahead of its presidential election and a widening judicial offensive against financial mismanagement in Senegal.
With just six months remaining before Côte d’Ivoire’s highly anticipated presidential election on 25 October, political uncertainty is mounting.
President Alassane Ouattara has yet to confirm whether he will run for a fourth term.
Meanwhile, both supporters and critics have begun assessing his tenure.
Jeune Afrique notes that the political atmosphere is becoming noticeably strained, with debates over Ouattara’s legacy fueling partisan divides.
In a move to preserve electoral calm, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the Chamber of Kings and Traditional Chiefs of Ivory Coast convened on 17 April at the CEI headquarters in Abidjan-Cocody.
Their meeting focused on ensuring a peaceful and transparent election process.
In a related development, Abidjan.net reports that Tidjane Thiam, leader of the PDCI-RDA, has been summoned to appear in court on Friday, 18 April, over an electoral dispute with Bolou Gouali Eloi.
The case is scheduled before the President of the Abidjan Court of First Instance.
Meanwhile, in Mali, Le Wagadu highlights a gap between government pledges and agricultural realities.
Although Mali has endorsed the 9 April “Dakar Declaration,” aiming to irrigate one million hectares by 2035, current efforts lag significantly.
Only 243,000 hectares are irrigated—unchanged for years—and less than half are fully functional, according to the Malian Ministry of Agriculture.
In Senegal, a sweeping anti-corruption campaign is reshaping the political landscape.
Le Monde Afrique reports that over 250 individuals have been arrested since September 2024 as part of a drive for financial accountability.
The Financial Judicial Task Force has recovered approximately 15 billion CFA francs.
On Thursday, judicial authorities confirmed that five former ministers face prosecution by the High Court of Justice over alleged misuse of Covid-19 relief funds.
Senegalese media are closely following the probe. Le Soleil notes, “Prosecutors Speak Out,” highlighting a surge in official statements.
Walf Quotidien writes, “Judicial Machine in Overdrive,” while L’AS claims the judiciary is “Targeting the Former Regime.”
Le Quotidien describes the development as the “First Wave Delivered to Justice.”
Source: apanews
