West African media on Monday, 29 September 2025, devoted extensive coverage to political maneuverings, judicial battles and diplomatic positioning across the region, alongside lighter reports of civic engagement and professional mobilisations.
In Senegal, Seneweb highlighted the difficulties facing magistrates investigating high-profile accountability cases.
Several figures from the former regime, including Mamadou Guèye, Mamour Diallo, Doudou Ka, Mame Mbaye Niang and Moussa Bocar Thiam, are now based abroad in France, Morocco, the United States or Canada.
While former president Macky Sall continues to enjoy immunity, his allies remain under scrutiny from the Financial Judicial Pool and the High Court of Justice.
Legal experts quoted by Wal Fadjri stressed that “extradition is not a requirement, but a mutual assistance agreement between States,” a framework that often proves lengthy and complex despite existing treaties with France.
Macky Sall himself made headlines in Dakaractu after acknowledging, during an interview with H5 Motivation, that his name has been mentioned as a possible successor to António Guterres at the United Nations.
He argued for urgent reforms to avoid “the law of the strongest” and called for stronger multilateralism, while insisting that any candidacy would depend on wide support from the Security Council and African nations.
In Mali, Maliweb widely circulated Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga’s fiery UN General Assembly address of 26 September. Described as a “manifesto,” his speech accused Algeria of an “unfriendly posture” and denounced France and Ukraine as “state sponsors” of terrorism. Maïga reaffirmed the Alliance of Sahel States’ commitment to pan-Africanist self-defense and announced its withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
He also called for a confederal bank and a “refoundation of multilateralism,” projecting the Confederation of Sahel States as a sovereign regional power.
In Burkina Faso, AIB focused on World Pharmacists’ Day, celebrated with three days of events in Bobo-Dioulasso, including a cross-country race and aerobics. Dr Abdoul Aziz Djiré said the occasion was “an opportunity to highlight the commitment and essential missions of pharmacists.”
In Guinea, Africaguinee reported that General Mamadi Doumbouya has established four guiding principles for public action following the referendum: collegiality, solidarity, probity and self-sacrifice. He urged swift results, close monitoring of legislative reforms and the timely rollout of new institutions in line with the electoral calendar.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan.net quoted prosecutor Koné Braman Oumar issuing a stark warning to influencers and page administrators ahead of elections.
“The fun is over. We’re going to move up a gear,” he said, vowing prosecutions for hate speech and defamation.
Meanwhile in Benin, Banouto reported that opposition party Les Démocrates, led by former president Boni Yayi, has opened applications to select its presidential ticket for April 2026. Applicants face strict requirements, including a CFA 25 million deposit and evidence of local support, with the deadline set for 4 October 2025.
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