West Africa’s headlines on Thursday reflected a diverse mix of political, economic, and cultural developments, from calls for justice in Niger to agricultural investments in Mali and sporting triumphs across the region.
In Niger, Human Rights Watch has renewed its appeal for the release of former President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained by the ruling military junta since the coup of July 26, 2023. According to his lawyers, Bazoum and his wife Hadiza have spent two years confined to a wing of the presidential palace.
The NGO urged Nigerien authorities to release the former leader immediately, warning of deepening concerns over due process and human rights.
In Mali, Le Matin reports that the government is set to invest more than 47 billion CFA francs in the second phase of the Irrigation Development Program in the Bani and Sélingué Basins (PDI-BS II), as part of a drive toward food sovereignty.
The newspaper also notes that 34 billion CFA francs raised from telephone taxes will see 24 billion allocated to strengthening the national electricity grid.
Liberia’s Observer highlights the signing of an $88.7 million agreement with the World Bank aimed at overhauling the education sector. The funding will facilitate the construction of over 100 primary schools, the training of 6,500 teachers, and the professional development of 4,500 school administrators.
In Senegal, Le Soleil and Sud Quotidien report on the official visit of Tran Thanh Man, President of Vietnam’s National Assembly, to Dakar.
The trip resulted in the signing of four major cooperation agreements spanning parliamentary ties, commerce, agriculture, and investment—ushering in what Sud Quotidien calls a “new Dakar-Hanoi axis.”
Across the region, Togo’s Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development (ADDI) has called for an opposition summit to address the results of municipal elections, which handed a landslide victory to the ruling party. Party leader Aimé Gogué said the high voter abstention sends a “silent but meaningful” warning.
In Benin, La Nation reports the launch of the 7th Fashion Month in Cotonou, running from July 23 to 26, with events celebrating local creativity through runway shows, workshops, and industry panels. Culture Minister Jean-Michel Abimbola hailed the festival as “a new lease of life” for Benin’s creative industries.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, The Punch details mounting tensions between state governments and electricity distributors after the Electricity Regulatory Commission cut tariffs for Band A customers. Distributors are resisting the renegotiations, sparking disputes over cost-sharing.
On the sporting front, Abidjan.net confirms that Ivory coast clinched the UFOA-B Cup in Accra with a 1-0 win over Nigeria, retaining their youth football title. Separately, Cape Verde secured three silver and three bronze medals in athletics at the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) Games in Timor-Leste, according to A Naçao.
The day’s events reflect a region balancing political challenges, economic reform, and cultural pride while celebrating international success.
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