POLITICS
SENEGAL – Political tension: Pope Diop works for the rapprochement between power and opposition

Senegal has been experiencing political tensions for several months. To calm the nerves, the former mayor of Dakar Pape Diop finds it urgent to move quickly towards the dialogue to which the Head of State, Macky Sall, calls during his speech to the nation on April 3, 2023. It intends to use its relations with political actors to bring together power and opposition around a consultation table.
Concerns are high. Pope Diop is concerned about the current socio-political tension that is taking on alarming proportions in Senegal. To preserve peace and stability in the country, the president of the Democratic Convergence Bokk Gis-Gis finds it urgent to renew the thread of dialogue between all the living forces of the Nation. In his message of April 3 to the Nation, the President of the Republic Macky Sall expressed the desire for a dialogue between actors. We all have a duty to work on this so that our country can return to the spirit of dialogue that has always made its reputation», said Pope Diop.
The boss of Bokk Gis-Gis intends to use his good relations with all political actors to help regain the dynamic of consultation that has long prevailed between power and opposition. His conviction is that the spirit of communion, sharing, solidarity and forgiveness that has animated the people throughout this month of Ramadan must be preserved so that Senegal is spared the jolts that some predict. It is the place for the deputy Pope Diop to pay homage to the religious guides, whose prayers accompany the Senegalese and allow until then to preserve Senegal from the turmoil experienced or experienced by other countries.
We are preparing to butcher a month of fasting, abstinence and religious fervor. The peculiarity of this year’s Ramadan is that we not only observed it in unison as Muslims, but it also coincided, in part, with Christian Lent. It is an eloquent proof that each of us can live freely and fully our faith, whatever our beliefs, without preventing our neighbour from doing the same», Pope Diop stresses.
For Pope Diop, what unites the Senegalese is stronger than what divides them. He invites the Senegalese to bear in mind that “neither the quest for power nor its preservation can justify jeopardizing the country’s stability.” The leader of Bokk Gis-Gis says that it is a stable, united and indivisible Senegal, a country with a strong social fabric and strong institutions that we must bequeath to future generations.
He points out that this is the reason for the action he took in the wake of the legislative elections on 31 July 2022 when he joined the parliamentary group Benno Bokk Yaakaar. According to him, the objective was to avoid the hysterization of the political game being transposed at the level of the Assembly with all the risks that could result on the governance of the country and on the proper functioning of the institutions. For him, today, the facts proved him right with the many incidents that occurred in the Hemicycle and that unfortunately led to the imprisonment of two deputies, notably Mamadou Niang and Massata Samb, of the Unity and Assembly Party (Pur).
Concerned about the image and proper functioning of this august institution (National Assembly) which I had the honour of presiding over, I was greatly saddened by these unfortunate and very regrettable incidents. I am confident that by building on the strengths that have always enabled us to get through the most difficult times without much damage to the country, we will be able to preserve the essential, namely: social cohesion, which has always been an exception in Senegal», did he indicate.
IVORY COAST
IVORY COAST – The PDCI-RDA march postponed to June 14 to support Tidjane Thiam

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
GUINEA
GUINEA – Visit of the African Union, renewed commitment for a successful transition

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
IVORY COAST
IVORY COAST AFRICA – The PDCI-RDA march postponed to June 14 to support Tidjane Thiam

The list of presidential candidates in Côte d’Ivoire is expanding on Saturday, May 31, 2025. After the withdrawal of Tidjane Thiam, another candidate comes to replace him. The latter had submitted his application in 2020 but it was invalidated. Indeed, in his announcement of candidacy, the latter has emphasized the valorization of cultural and spiritual values of the country.
The presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire promises to be exciting. Some candidates have been withdrawn and others are being added to the list of candidates. Additions for a common purpose sitting in the chair. An objective that arouses the interest of Olivier Djè Bi Djè, who has submitted his candidacy. Thus, the deputy of the city of Zuénoula announced his candidacy for the presidential election of 25 October 2025 on 31 May 2025.
An application that was invalidated five years ago (2020) due to sponsorship non-compliance. However, this candidacy could be valid because the politician has well prepared his mount before launching. However, there is still some way to go. Indeed, to be sure, the member for Zuénoula of Côte d’Ivoire has an obligation to respect the electoral code by bringing together at least sponsorship in 17 independent regions.
Olivier Djè Bi Djè, in his candidacy announcement speech, unveiled his management plan once at the presidency headquarters. As the Ivorian politician is a manager, he opts for common management with a future of social justice, without forgetting peace and sustainable development.
He gave a pledge on leadership based on the identity of the country. It also intends to place cultural and spiritual values high on the agenda with traditional leaders. Finally, the new candidate calls for unity in order to address the country’s challenges as quickly as possible. He also counts on the population for a victory.
Source: africa-sur7 / Credit photo: afrique-sur7
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