The CAN towards the 8th, the list of candidates in Senegal, the end of the Algiers agreement: the Africa weekly

Published on : 01/26/2024 – 11:43

6 mins

• The group stage of the 34^e African Cup of Nations has delivered its verdict. We now know the 16 countries qualified for the round of 16, which begin on January 27 with two shock matches: Cameroon against Nigeria, then Senegal, defending champion, against Ivory Coast, host country. (The highlights of each day can be found every morning on France 24 and every evening on our channel.)

• The Constitutional Council of Senegal has published the final list of 20 candidates for the February 25 presidential election, a list on which the name of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko does not appear. Karim Wade’s candidacy was deemed “inadmissible”.

• The ruling junta in Mali announced Thursday the “end, with immediate effect”, of the Algiers agreement signed in 2015 with independence groups in the north of the country, long considered essential to stabilize the country.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a week-long tour of Africa’s west coast, aiming to counter the growing influence of China and Russia on the continent. After a quick stopover in Cape Verde, he went to Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola.

• This is a world first. Cameroon launched a systematic and large-scale vaccination campaign against malaria on Monday, a “historic step”, according to the WHO, in the fight against this disease, one of the deadliest among African children.

CAN 2024: place for the 8th finals!

Among the heavyweights of the 34^e African Cup of Nations present for the round of 16 are Senegal and Morocco, but also Cameroon and Ivory Coast, both of whom managed to qualify at the last minute. Among the surprises: Mauritania, which eliminated Algeria, or Namibia, victorious against Tunisia. Focus on the second part of the competition with our journalist Elom Toble.

Presidential election in Senegal: “the Sonko movement” reorganizes around Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Excluded from the presidential election of February 25, the Senegalese opponent Ousmane Sonko, at the heart of a political-judicial soap opera for several years, nevertheless wants to continue to keep his candidacy alive and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, one of his most close collaborators, could play understudies. But the task promises to be difficult for this former tax inspector, detained since last April for “contempt of court” and “defamation”.

DR Congo: for Minister Patrick Muyaya, “the evil of the region is called Kagame”

Patrick Muyaya, Minister of Communication and Media of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), gave an interview to France 24. “Evil is known in the region, his name is Paul Kagame,” said the minister. According to him, “destabilizing the neighbors” is part of the Rwandan president’s “permanent strategy.” Two days after the inauguration of President Félix Tshisekedi, Patrick Muyaya also welcomed the “first fair electoral process (in DR Congo) since 2006”.

Engaged generation: Merem Tahar, activist for climate justice in Africa

At only 23 years old, Merem Tahar represented the voice of Chadian youth and women during COP28 last December in Dubai. A fight for the defense of the environment that she leads on a daily basis with her association Women of the Chadian Diaspora.

CAN 2024: a day with Paco, the mascot of the Senegal teams

Paco is one of the very recognizable supporters of the Lions of Teranga. With his colorful yellow, red and green costume, his two lion heads and his war cry “Senegal rek!”, it is impossible to miss him. France 24 followed him on a match day at CAN 2024, in Ivory Coast.