Month: August 2026

New Attacks and Mutiny at the International Hamani Diori Airport in Niger

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Map of Niger

Today, August 29, there was a mutiny at the Base 101 in Niamey, Niger. Mutinous soldiers launched coordinated attacks on both the Diori Hamani International Airport and the city center around the presidential compound in Niamey early Saturday, unleashing hours of gunfire and explosions that briefly knocked the state TV and radio off the air. This is clearly an attack against the government of General Abdourahamane Tiani, who has defied the French and Western stranglehold on the country. Recall that Air Force Base 101 is located within the international airport complex, and is home to the headquarters of Niamey’s Russian Africa Corps partners and the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali). So this is a direct attack against the AES.

By late morning, the Niger’s defense ministry said loyalist forces were gradually regaining control of targeted sites, though mutineers remained active around the airport. Witnesses reported heavy pre‑dawn fighting, and security sources noted that troops from Ouallam, Tera, and Dosso, areas hit hard by Islamic State–linked insurgents, were involved in the assault, reflecting growing frustration within frontline units. Security forces were deployed to key locations. A resident stated, “The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.” We all know who is behind these new attacks.

President Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger

Let us all pray and support our brothers and sisters of Niger. These mark the third attacks against the government of Tiani since the beginning of this year. As we remain alert, we are also reminded that such attacks against Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, is because the Niger people and Tiani’s government are really fighting for the freedom of their people, and the Black race as a whole. This explains the violence and repeated attacks funded by the Western powers against Niger and the AES. They, the West, have not unleashed anything against those dictators who play in their hands like the 93-year-old president of another African country who has plundered the nation’s wealth, or its neighbors, or even the other puppet from Cote d’Ivoire. The battle is now, and as we are proud of our Niger brothers and sisters, we stand with them, and can all do a little like them so that bit by bit we will free our continent of the barbaric chokehold of the imperialist forces.

To read more, check out NBC, RFI, and Africanews.

Discorde / Discord

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Serpent / Snake

Rats et serpents ne s’entendent pas (proverbe Ambede (Gabon) – proverbe Bantandu (Republique du Congo)).

Rats and snakes do not get along (Ambede proverb (Gabon) – Bantandu proverb (Republic of Congo)).

Angélique Kidjo is the First African Singer Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Angelique Kidjo in front of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Source: RFI.fr)

Last Tuesday, five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo made history by becoming the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Let me repeat that: the first African musician to be honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Africa is the cradle of humanity and the birthplace of music, so it is both surprising and shocking that this recognition took so long.

We congratulate Angélique Kidjo, who told the BBC that she wanted to dedicate the accolade to the continent of her birth. The Franco Beninese icon stated: “This star is for all the continent of Africa. Because if I was not African, would I be here?”

With a career spanning four decades, she reminded the world of the essential role Africans have played in shaping global music: “Without the blues brought by the slaves in America, there is no R&B, there is no rock and roll, there is no soul music, there is no jazz. All of it comes from Africa.”

Angelique Kidjo

She told BBC Focus on Africa that Africans must appreciate what they have given the world and invest in nurturing talent at home: “Let us celebrate our artists in their own right on the continent. Let us give them visibility and strength, because music creates economy.” Kidjo also urged African artists and governments to find ways to ensure that artists are paid royalties for their work and that their intellectual property is respected.

During the celebration, she remembered her roots and her late parents. She shared that she wished they could have been present to witness her success.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, praised Kidjo’s impact: “She has connected cultures, she has crossed borders, she has reminded audiences everywhere that while we may come from different backgrounds, her music unites in a way that few other things can.”

Congratulations to Angélique Kidjo, whose four-decade career has carried her across the world, sharing her voice and enriching countless lives. I am grateful that I once had the chance to see her perform, at a time when she was not yet widely known on this side of the Atlantic, and witness greatness.

Passer à l’action / Taking Action

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Poule / Hen

Du sol le bec de la poule ne revient jamais bredouille (proverbe Bamiléké – Cameroun) – on ne perd jamais en faisant quelque chose.

A hen’s beak never comes back empty from the ground (Bamiléké proverb – Cameroon) – one never loses by taking action.

Cameroon Wins the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the First Time in History

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Cameroon Indomitable Lionesses celebrate winning WAFCON 2026 (Source: CAFonline.com)

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco, Cameroon defeated Malawi 3–0 to become the new Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champion. It was a historic final that felt instantly unforgettable. Neither team had ever won the trophy before, and this made it only the third WAFCON final since 1998 where both sides were chasing their first continental crown. Cameroon had already reached the final in 2004, 2014, and 2016 but lost each time to Nigeria. Malawi, on the other hand, was living a dream. This was their first participation at WAFCON, and they climbed all the way to the final after eliminating teams such as Ghana and Algeria.

The Chawinga sisters Tabitha and Temwa (Source: CAFonline.com)

This expanded edition of WAFCON began three weeks ago with 16 teams instead of the previous 12, and it delivered excitement from the opening whistle. Malawi, led by the lethal Chawinga sisters Tabitha and Temwa, made a sensational debut. They started with a stunning 3–2 victory over defending champions Nigeria, followed by a confident 3–1 win over Egypt to finish top of Group C despite a narrow 2–1 loss to Zambia. Their momentum carried into the knockout rounds where they defeated Ghana 2–1 in the quarter-finals and produced another commanding performance to beat Algeria 3–1 in the semi-finals.

Marie Ngah Manga celebrating one of her goals (Source: CAFonline.com)

Cameroon’s journey was a story of discipline, resilience, and redemption. The Indomitable Lionesses went through the group stage unbeaten, then eliminated 10-time champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they knocked out host nation Morocco in a tense 3–1 penalty shootout thanks to an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Michaely Bihina who had a superb tournament from start to finish. Cameroon’s defense was rock solid and conceded only two goals throughout the entire competition. Their triumph becomes even more remarkable when you consider that they missed the 2024 edition of WAFCON and only advanced to these finals because of their world ranking after CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams.

The final itself belonged entirely to Cameroon. Marie Ngah Manga scored twice and was named Best Player of the Final, and Naomi Ndjoah Eto added the third goal to seal the victory. With this title, Cameroon becomes the fourth nation to lift the WAFCON trophy, joining Nigeria’s Super Falcons, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, and Equatorial Guinea. It was a spectacular ending to a spectacular tournament. Congratulations to the 2026 WAFCON. Both teams are already qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Returned Ivorian Ancestral Drum Unveiled to the Public

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Tchaman (Atchan) Kings and dignitaries in front of the Djidji Ajokwe talking drum back in March (Source: Afrikmonde.com)

On this day, 7 August which marks Cote d’Ivoire’s 66th anniversary of its ‘independence’, on this national holiday, the ancestral talking drum, Djidji Ayôkwé was presented to the people. This is the first object returned by France to Côte d’Ivoire, the first of 148 artifacts. France returned the sacred drum looted from Côte d’Ivoire after 110 years. It was taken from the Tchaman (Atchan, Ebriés) people by the French people. The talking drum was exposed at the Musée du Quai Branly. The drum is 4 m (13 ft) long and 430 kg (948 lbs) heavy.

Excerpts below are from RFI.

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The ceremony of August 7, 2026 was very symbolic because it is the first time that the talking drum was revealed to the general Ivorian public since his return to the country last March. First there was the military parade. Then, the drum opened the civil parade. The latter was placed on a red truck, protected by a window. He was surrounded by two Ebrie traditional chiefs.

Next to this truck, there were people dressed in traditional attire singing solemnly singing solemnly “Djidji Ayôkwé” to celebrate its return. … After Yopougon, Djidji Ayôkwé headed to the commune of Adjamé, where a traditional ceremony was organized in the afternoon. 

…

Africans Shine at the 2026 Commonwealth Games

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The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games’ logo (Source: Glasgow2026.com)

Africans shined at the 2026 Commonwealth Games which took place in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 2, 2026. 13 African countries won medals compared to 10 at the previous 2022 Commonwealth Games. These countries were : Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Cameroon, Uganda, Namibia, Ghana, Lesotho, Zambia, Gabon, Gambia, Rwanda. Nigeria topped the list with 24 medals, with 10 golds, 7 silvers, and 7 bronzes, delivering its best Commonwealth performance ever. Rwanda and Gabon won their first ever medals. There were major improvements with a deeper bench of champions and more golds, and stable excellence.

Below are key champions from a few countries. There are a lot more, and you can find the full list on the 2026 Commonwealth Games website.

Chad Le Clos, most decorated athlete of the Commonwealth Games (Source: beinsports.com)

Nigeria : Goodness Nwachukwu won Gold on Women’s F44 Discus while establishing a world record. Esther Nworgu won Gold in the Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting, while Tobi Amusan took Bronze in the Women’s 100m Hurdles. On the Men’s side, Samuel Ogazi won Gold in the Men’s 400m, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi took Gold in Men’s Shot Put, Ezekiel Nathaniel Gold in Men 400 Hurdles, Idris Rilwan Gold and Roland Ezuruike Silver in Men’s Para Powerlifting. Nigeria’s depth across track, field, and para‑sports set a new continental benchmark.

South Africa : Chad le Clos won 3 medals in swimming relays at these games winning his 21st Commonwealth medal since his debut at Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. He has become the most successful athlete in the history of the games.

Cameroon : Emmanuel Eseme won Gold in the Men’s 100m setting a Commonwealth Games record of 9:83 s, while Richelle Anita Soppi Mbella took Silver Women’s Judo +78 kg.

Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon (Source: Jamboradio.co.uk)

Mauritius : Remi Feuillet won Gold in Judo

Gabon won its first ever medal at the games with Marthe Gnacadja Avaro winning Bronze, Women’s Judo +78kg

The Gambia : Faye Njie with Bronze, Men’s Judo –73kg

Rwanda : won its first ever Commonwealth Games with Florence Niyonkuru taking Bronze, Women’s 10,000m