POLITICS
SENEGAL – Bougane Gueye Dany supports Ousmane Sonko
Bougane Gueye Dany, president of the press group D’Média and leader of the movement “Guëm sa bopp”, visited the opposition Ousmane Sonko on Saturday, February 27, 2021. A meeting at the end of which Bougane Gueye made a statement as a total and unconditional support to the leader of Pastef les Patriotes who, according to him, is victim of a political and social injustice orchestrated by a dictatorial regime.
“I met a calm man, someone convinced that Senegal is facing its destiny. I met someone who today remains courageous after the illegal lifting of his immunity because of a mechanical majority to whom you know despite the separation of powers. So I wanted to express my sympathy to him and tell him that I was ready with him in the face of this Machiavellian enterprise. You know Ousmane Sonko and I, beyond the generation we share, even if he is my elder, we share the same convictions to put Senegal firmly on the path of development and also integrate our country in the lap of the rule of law.
Since the outbreak of this affair, we are witnessing a scavenger hunt. It has to stop. We are asking that it stop quickly. We are asking Macky Sall to release them immediately. I want to talk about Abass, Biram Souleye, Assane Diouf, Guy Marius Sagna, Clédor Sène, and since this morning, Dame Mbodji and Karim Xrum Xax. These confiscations of freedoms are evidence of a flagrant democratic regression, the embankments of a free spirit must cease, and no one will be able to compel Macky Sall except us, the youth and the Patriots of this country…. they must be preserved. The honour of each and every one of us is to work for the preservation of these legacies, which have been fought for for nearly 70 years. So let us reject the disintegration of the republican state.”
The leader of Guem sa bopp did not fail to praise MP Ousmane Sonko, who came third in the last presidential election on February 24, 2019. It also stresses the need to maintain democratic gains in order to preserve the rights of every citizen. Ousmane Sonko bravely embodies and assumes today the natural responsibilities of undisputed leader of the opposition and his ideals are shared by all those who aspire to a better Senegal and for the Senegalese first. This status makes him the man to be slaughtered after Karim Wade and Khalifa Sall, it is unfortunate to say, this is what happens in Senegal since 2012. Today it’s Ousmane Sonko’s turn. Who will be next on the list? Perhaps I, perhaps you, who knows […] It forces us to put on our combat uniforms, we Senegalese citizens to defend the Republic. President Macky Sall must understand that the power of the state is above men. Let it be clear, no head of state should use the instruments that regulate our state to eliminate political opponents.”
Bougane Gueye Dany calls on all the vital forces of the nation to work for the stability of the country which requires justice for the people and security forces for the exclusive defense of the interests of the citizens. I call upon our administration, our security forces and our justice system to work tirelessly for the consolidation of the rule of law. With this unfortunate episode of which our brother Ousmane Sonko is a victim, a paradigm shift is required in a progressive but citizen rupture process. So, let us agree on a republican approach to put Senegal back on the rails of a great democracy. Finally, to my brother Ousmane Sonko, I tell him that you have our support and by my way, the support of the men and women of the Gueum sa bopp movement in this ordeal. We are going to use all the legal, regulatory means provided by law to respond or not respond to the justice in which we have complete confidence.”
This visit of Bougane Gueye Dany is therefore a support to the deputy and opponent, Ousmane Sonko, victim of a political injustice, according to the boss of Dmedia. The main opponent of the current regime is accused of repeated rape and death threats by a 21-year-old masseuse named Adji Sarr. The politician continues to shout at the orchestrated conspiracy at the highest summit of the state. He denounced the lifting of his parliamentary immunity which, according to him, the process is full of irregularities and flagrant failings because botched by the National Assembly where a parliamentary majority loyal to the ruling power, that of President Macky Sall dominates. He thus refused to refer to the convocation of the judge of the 8th cabinet.
POLITICS
SENEGAL Moussa Tine: “We launch a solemn appeal to the diaspora for the International Exhibition of Investment of the African Diaspora – SIDIA
Exclusive interview with Moussa Tine, the Director General of Urbanism and Habit. From September 26 to 28, 2025, at the Domaine de Choully, Africa – and particularly Senegal goes to meet its diaspora. For three days, the event will bring together several hundred entrepreneurs, including 30 from Senegal, investors, policy makers and artists. It is an unprecedented exhibition that brings together strategic sectors such as housing, agriculture, but also industry and commerce.
Why involve the diaspora and why organize this International Diaspora Investment Fair? Why this fair?
This exhibition today is a moment of exchange, an indispensable meeting point for government policy and particularly the policy of these three sectors, namely housing, construction, agriculture, industry and commerce. It is these three ministries that bring together their strategies, their strengths, to go out to meet the diaspora. The diaspora plays a decisive, extremely important role in the country’s economy and in its socio-economic stability. It is an important moment, a decisive moment, a moment that will also help us to financially complete a number of projects that are underway, but also to give the opportunity to the nationals of the diaspora to contribute to the development of their country. Each ministry today develops projects and this fair is an opportunity to give the diaspora the necessary information, either to integrate these projects or to collaborate with the State in the context of public-private partnerships or direct investments under the auspices of the State. Here is, in a global manner, the object of the exhibition. Today, this the exhibition is a decisive moment, an important one, with challenges defined across the three sectors I have just mentioned.
Thus, what is the economic weight of the diaspora?
The weight of the diaspora is well established. Today, it plays a decisive role in our economy. The diaspora is strong and economically involved, not only in a family way, but also through local and international initiatives. Therefore, involving the diaspora means redefining its role in a strategic way, which must no longer be limited to family support but contribute directly to the development of the country. This can be done through financial investment projects through programmes structured by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Spatial Planning. I take the example of the PNALRU (National Program for Access to Housing), a project designed and led by the Ministry of Urbanism. We know that most of our fellow citizens in the diaspora have a house or housing project because they want to invest in their home. But often, they do not have the necessary information to do it in a secure way, nor quality support. Projects like the PNALRU offer a secure framework at the level of land, construction, but also marketing, in a transparent manner. These are projects that the State has implemented and which allow the diaspora to have easier access to land, and to participate directly in the national economy. The diaspora complains about not having enough information on state initiatives. This exhibition is a way to reach out to her, to provide as much information as possible about ongoing projects and integration modalities. We know that a part of the diaspora already has the initiative to return or to work in collaboration with the State. This show will therefore be a B2B meeting, a space where the diaspora and the State will be able to meet, establish collaborative relationships, and create what I often call a “return ticket”, that is to say an opportunity for many Senegalese to prepare for a secure and planned return.
Mr. Director, what is the direct message you send to the diaspora, especially to that of Geneva, because the exhibition will take place there?
Yes, the exhibition will be held in Geneva. This choice does not come by chance. Geneva is a financial capital and a business hub. Organizing it there highlights a decisive point in the outcome of projects: the financial dimension and the technical dimension. The objective is that from this exhibition, not only do we provide the necessary information to the diaspora, but also that we mobilize its capital to encourage it to invest in real estate, agriculture and industry. Each ministry will present development projects that the diaspora can appropriate, whether in housing, agriculture or industry. These sectors are linked: industry supports habitat, habitat needs building materials, and agriculture requires infrastructure. This sectoral transversality will allow for maximum opportunities to be created for the diaspora. In Geneva, for three days, we will have exchanges, panels, permanent exhibitions (more than 30 planned), and B2B meetings between the state, professionals, the diaspora, and the private sector. The aim is to mobilize investors, experts and promoters to implement joint projects.
Who are the partners of this project?
In Senegal, we have the Ministry of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities and Spatial Planning, which leads, with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agriculture as co-organizers. We also work in partnership with Me Events, a structure specialized in the organization of events, and with partners in Geneva, such as the African Village Association and Afrique Néon.
Mr. Director, to conclude, what message do you want to send to the Senegalese in the diaspora?
I take this opportunity to make a solemn appeal to all our fellow citizens of the diaspora. This exhibition is made for you. Its objective is clear: to mobilize the diaspora, not only for its expertise, but also for its investments. Invest in yourself. Invest in Senegal. Invest in Africa. This fair is yours, make it your own, and make it a channel for communication and development. The success of this exhibition will be the success of the national policy towards the diaspora. Senegal comes to you, your country comes to you, in order to discuss your projects and those we develop here. Come in large numbers, because together we can ensure inclusive development where every contribution counts. Thank you and I hope to see you very soon at the Geneva exhibition, from September 26 to 28.
Initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the major march of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire, will finally take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This postponement was announced by the party’s Executive Secretary, who points out that the decision came after discussions between the PDCI leadership and the authorities of the Abidjan department. The details of these discussions have not been made public.
This demonstration, highly anticipated by the party’s activists and supporters, aims to support the candidacy of its president, Tidjane Thiam, in the presidential election of 2025, and to protest against his removal from the electoral list. A decision that the party qualifies as unfair and unacceptable, arguing for the right of all Ivorian citizens, including those with dual nationality, to participate in the political life of the country.
The route of the march remains unchanged: the protesters will leave from the SOCOCE space of the 2 Plateaux, in the municipality of Cocody, to head towards the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). The party calls for a strong peaceful mobilization in order to convey a clear message: demand inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections.
The removal of Tidjane Thiam and other opposition figures is mainly based on the issue of dual nationality, a legal provision that continues to be debated as the election approaches. The PDCI, which sees in Thiam a rally candidate capable of unifying the Ivorians, intends to make this march a highlight of its campaign and its democratic fight.
Photo credit: Tidiane Thiam page
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morissanda Kouyaté, received this Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Conakry a delegation from the African Union, on an official visit to Guinea. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the commitment of the transitional authorities to respect the deadlines set for the return to constitutional order, while stressing the historical and central role of Guinea in the construction of the Pan-African project.
« I am very happy. The African Union is at Guinea’s side to accompany and support the vision of the head of state, President Mamadi Doumbouya, in favor of Guinea and Africa, in the political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural fields, declared the head of Guinean diplomacy.
This meeting takes place in a context marked by the preparations for the constitutional referendum scheduled for next September 21.
Morissanda Kouyaté also recalled the founding involvement of Guinea in the creation of the Organization of African Unity, which became the African Union. “This visit materializes the commitment of the Peace and Security Council to accompany Guinea in a dynamic of ambitious political and diplomatic transformation,” he stressed.
The minister indicated that all actions related to the transition are currently funded by the national development budget, while calling for a broader mobilization of the international community. “We have requested a round table, called the Basketfront, to seek support to speed up the process. But this does not mean that we will give up,” he said, reiterating President Doumbouya’s willingness to scrupulously respect the scheduled deadlines.
He finally wanted to reassure on the efforts made to ensure an inclusive electoral process. “We are going through a difficult period, and that is why we want all Guineans to be registered in order to obtain a reliable electoral roll,” concluded Morissanda Kouyaté.
Source: guinee360 / Photo credit: Page Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guinea
