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May 27, 2026

Seychelles: President Herminie Engages with Police and Fire Services on Praslin

Source: APO – Report:

Succeeding his previous engagement, President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, toured the Baie Sainte Anne Police Station, where discussions focused on policing challenges, public safety and operational requirements on the island.

The President was welcomed by the Minister for Homeland Security and Civil Affairs, Mr James Camille, Principal Secretary Ms Sheryl Vengadasamy, the three Deputy Commissioners of Police, Mr Ned Wirtz, Dr Jemmy Bouzin and Mr Ron Bonnelame and members of the police executive, Officer Commanding the Praslin and La Digue Region, Assistant Superintendent Chantal Leon, along with the Officer Commanding Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse Police Stations, Inspector Dean Decommarmond and Sub Inspector Travis Mousbe.

During the visit, President Herminie met with officers and was briefed on the operation of the station, including the current state of criminality on the island, operational demands and the resources available to personnel.

Conversations also centred on the importance of continued training and ensuring that police personnel remain adequately equipped to effectively carry out their duties while maintaining public confidence in law enforcement services.

The visit also highlighted the significance of the new Baie Sainte Anne Police Station, which was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, marking a major investment in public safety infrastructure on Praslin and reaffirming government’s commitment to strengthening policing services within the region.

The modern facility comprises three detention cells, dedicated offices for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Traffic Section, SS&CRB and Family Squad, as well as a newly introduced Identification Parade room, the first of its kind in any police station in Seychelles.

The facility has been designed to provide a more efficient and child sensitive suspect identification process, particularly benefiting young and vulnerable victims.

The President also visited the Grand Anse Praslin Police Station, where officers highlighted the strong coordination and collaboration between the two police stations on the island. The effective working relationship between the stations was noted as an important factor in ensuring a cohesive and efficient delivery of policing services across Praslin.

As the tour progressed, President Herminie proceeded to the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, where officers outlined the agency’s emergency response capabilities, operational readiness and current infrastructural needs.

Discussions further highlighted the critical role played by emergency responders in safeguarding lives, property and communities during emergencies and disaster situations.

The visits formed part of government’s continued commitment to supporting frontline security and emergency service personnel while strengthening public safety and emergency response capacity across the inner islands.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

May 27, 2026

Issue 3 of Mining Review Africa now available for free download

Source: APO – Report:

The latest issue of Vuka Group’s Mining Review Africa (https://WeAreVUKA.com) is now available for free download, bringing readers exclusive insights into the trends, projects and conversations shaping the African mining sector.

Issue 3 places a strong focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mining innovation, advances in mineral processing, and the future of mining across the continent.

Leading the issue is the cover story on Credeq Africa, which explores the company’s growing ambitions in the DRC and its vision for expanding opportunities in one of Africa’s most significant mining jurisdictions.

Readers can also explore a spotlight feature examining how the DRC is shifting “from a resource colony to a resource sovereign”, unpacking the country’s evolving approach to beneficiation, local participation and resource governance.

Other highlights in the issue include:

Credeq Africa: Sets its sights on the DRC
DRC: Moving from a resource colony to a resource sovereign
Canyon Resources: Minim Martap races into production
Forward looking: What will define the future of South African mining?
Total Systems thinking: Reimagining diamond mining
Axis House Group: 25 years of advancing mineral processing performance

The issue also features commentary and analysis from industry leaders on sustainability, operational efficiency, technology adoption and the long-term outlook for African mining.

Readers can access the latest issue for free HERE (https://apo-opa.co/4wRsob5).

– on behalf of VUKA Group.

Media files

May 27, 2026

Central Africa’s wild meat dilemma: why outright bans threaten food security for millions

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mattia Bessone, Post Doc, Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior

Millions of people in central Africa rely on wild meat for their nutrition, especially in rural areas around the Congo rainforest, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. Here, meat from domestic animals is scarce due to poor national transport infrastructure, livestock diseases and lack of forage. As a result, wild meat and freshwater fish are the main animal foods and provide the proteins and micro-nutrients needed for a healthy diet.

At the same time the growing demand for wild meat coming from a growing urban population provides an economic opportunity for rural hunters. In the past 20 years, the proportion of wild meat sold on average by subsistence hunters in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 34% to 72% of their catches. In essence, hunters used to sell about a third of their catches, but today they sell almost three quarters of their catches.

As a conservation biologist, I am interested in understanding the factors influencing the viability of wildlife populations, finding a balance between wildlife conservation and people’s livelihood. In a recent paper, I examined the extent of wild meat consumption in central Africa together with 45 colleagues from 33 institutions from 12 countries. Using data from over 12,000 households from 252 locations, we found that for rural people, wild meat accounts for 20% of the recommended daily protein intake. This compared with 13% and 6% for those living in towns and cities, though our modelling suggests this is growing.

One major cause of concern about these consumption patterns is the threat of animal transmitted epidemics, as the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has underscored. The Bundibugyo virus, which is the cause of the disease, can be contracted through the handling and consumption of infected wild animals.

These outbreaks invariably lead to calls to stop the trade and consumption of wild animals. But our study suggests that heeding those calls could result in a humanitarian catastrophe in most of rural central Africa. As our study shows, wild meat remains an important component of people’s diets there.

Instead of banning the consumption of wildlife, we propose the legal and sustainable use of non-protected wild animals in rural areas. Clear national laws co-designed with people who hunt and eat wild meat could enable the sustainable management of these remaining species. It would improve the sustainability of the wild meat sector in rural settings while providing a regulatory framework for early warning of wildlife transmitted diseases.

A search for wild meat

Our research was based on data collected over the past 15 years and stored in WILDMEAT, an open-access evidence base for wild meat researchers and practitioners. It was launched to collate and standardise data from all available site-specific studies.

My colleagues used this data to publish the first regional assessment of hunting trends in sub-Saharan Africa. Using 83 studies carried out around African tropical forests, they confirmed that hunting had increased in the region since 1991. They found this could be linked to an increase in the use of guns and to the proportion of the harvested meat being sold, rather than consumed locally.

What was missing was an overview of where the sold meat was consumed.

We thus set out to compile the largest database of wild meat consumption ever assembled for central Africa. We made use of WILDMEAT and its large web of collaborators to gather data from 30 studies covering 252 locations in six central African countries. Overall, the database represented 12,453 individual households and 163,896 “recall events”, defined as occasions when the households reported the food they consumed in a given period between one and 365 days.

What we found

Our analysis showed that the highest consumption rates were in rural communities living in villages. These were followed by towns located in semi-rural areas not far from forest patches.

In contrast, we found lower rates of consumption in cities, and the lowest in major urban centres, particularly the countries’ capital cities.

We also obtained predictions of wild meat consumption across the region based on detailed information about forest intactness, remoteness, human population density and human development. This allowed us to identify hotspots of wild meat consumption across the entire region. By calculating what the estimated rates meant in nutritional terms we found that, on average, wild meat (the amount that a person here typically eats) contributes around 18% of the daily protein intake recommended by the World Health Organization. This percentage increased to about 20% in rural areas and it was close to 100% in remote regions of the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic.

These results underscored the major nutritional importance of wild meat for millions of Africans, many living in some of the most food-insecure regions of the continent.

Expanding demand

Another key issue shown by our analysis is the growing demand for wild meat coming from expanding provincial urban areas. In most of central Africa, these provincial cities and towns are not easy to access, so it’s difficult to get other protein sources such as chicken and fish there.

Because wild areas are nearby, though, wild meat is generally available at low prices. And law enforcement may be weaker than in larger cities. Our study identified these provincial towns as potential hotspots of wild meat consumption.

We also found that people living in major cities in central Africa still consume wild meat. This is for two main reasons.

First, it is perceived as healthier than imported domesticated frozen meats, characterised by the extensive use of antibiotics and unreliable maintenance of the cold chain during transport.

Second, consuming wild meat is seen as a way to maintain cultural traditions and sometimes acts as a status symbol. In a time of growing urbanisation we expect the demand for wild meat from urban areas to further increase, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the wildlife in the surrounding areas.

Solutions

We conclude from our findings that the role of wild meat in the current urban food systems should be reduced. But this is not an easy task under current socio-economic circumstances. We make the following recommendations.

Increase the regional production, importation and distribution of healthy, safe and culturally appropriate alternatives (like poultry and fish).
In peri-urban areas, encourage sustainable alternatives to wild meat avoiding environmental degradation.
In cities, develop tailored campaigns to reduce demand, for example via social networks and other mainstream media, like Yoka Pimbo, a behavioural change campaign launched in Kinshasa, DRC, in 2022.
Target areas currently lacking consumption data. Focusing on these areas would allow our model to be validated, improving our understanding of wild meat consumption to assess where interventions may be most needed.

Lastly, our study calls on central African governments, international and national institutions and non-governmental organisations to operate towards the sustainable management of wildlife hunting and trade for the conservation of natural heritage and for the livelihoods of rural communities.

– Central Africa’s wild meat dilemma: why outright bans threaten food security for millions
– https://theconversation.com/central-africas-wild-meat-dilemma-why-outright-bans-threaten-food-security-for-millions-283389

May 26, 2026

NOV Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as Gold Sponsor Amid Africa’s Offshore Expansion Push

Source: APO – Report:

Global energy services and oilfield equipment provider NOV has joined the African Energy Week (AEW) (www.AECWeek.com) 2026 Conference and Exhibition as a Gold Sponsor, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting Africa’s upstream growth, offshore expansion and energy infrastructure development. NOV’s participation comes as African oil and gas producers accelerate drilling campaigns and fast-track project execution to strengthen energy security, industrialization and export revenues.

As demand for advanced oilfield technologies and drilling services grows across the continent, NOV is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s next phase of hydrocarbon development. The company’s portfolio spans drilling automation, digital well optimization, offshore rig systems, production technologies and FPSO-related equipment, placing it among the leading technology providers supporting increasingly complex African oil and gas projects.

NOV’s participation at AEW 2026 is particularly timely as mature producers such as Angola, Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea intensify drilling activity to sustain production and unlock additional reserves. At the same time, frontier markets, including Namibia, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, are advancing new offshore exploration campaigns that require advanced deepwater technologies and efficient project execution capabilities.

In Egypt, NOV recently demonstrated the impact of its digital drilling technologies through the deployment of its Drilling Beliefs & Analytics solution in the Western Desert. By leveraging remote operations and real-time monitoring of machinery and well conditions, the operator achieved the longest bit run in the field’s history while improving drilling efficiency and reducing operational costs. The project eliminated the need for multiple in-person site visits, saving approximately $75,000, highlighting how automation is increasingly reshaping Africa’s upstream sector.

NOV’s NOVOS automation platform and Kaizen AI drilling optimization systems are expected to play an increasingly important role as African operators expand offshore drilling programs where efficiency, safety and reduced non-productive time have become critical priorities.

Beyond drilling optimization, NOV continues to strengthen its role in Africa’s gas monetization drive. In 2024, the company secured multiple orders for advanced gas processing and water treatment equipment packages for floating production storage and offloading units destined for operations in West Africa. The contracts reinforce NOV’s growing participation in offshore gas infrastructure projects supporting regional energy resilience, LNG expansion and export capacity growth.

“Africa’s economic stability will depend heavily on its ability to drill more wells, develop infrastructure faster and commercialize its oil and gas resources efficiently,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The digital transformation taking place across the global energy industry cannot be ignored, and NOV is bringing advanced innovation into African oil and gas operations to simplify processes, improve safety and accelerate project delivery.”

NOV’s participation at AEW 2026 reflects its broader ambitions to scale its services across the continent. As the largest energy gathering in Africa, the event convenes operators, investors, policymakers and service providers to discuss the future of the continent’s energy sector.

– on behalf of African Energy Week (AEW).

May 26, 2026

African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) and United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) Launch Landmark Webinar Series on Africa’s Water Crisis, Starting June 2, 2026

Source: APO – Report:

In response to the intensifying climate emergency and the growing challenges of water resource management across the continent, the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) (www.UAR-AUB.org), in partnership with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and HEC Montréal, proudly announces the launch of an exclusive webinar series.

The inaugural session will take place on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00 (UTC) / 08:00 to 09:00 (Montreal Time).

Inaugural Theme: “Water Beyond Borders” Understanding the Problem: Water Failure, Groundwater Depletion, and Transboundary Water Governance and Cooperation

This first webinar aims to lay the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the economic, political, and environmental mechanisms surrounding water management in Africa. By directly addressing the critical concepts of “water failure” and groundwater depletion, the AUB and its leading academic partners seek to equip and mobilize key stakeholders to drive more impactful media coverage and public discourse on these existential issues.

Who Should Participate?

This highly interactive event is open to a broad audience committed to Africa’s environmental future:

Content Creators: Influencers and bloggers dedicated to environmental causes.
Civil Society: Field actors, activists, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Academia: Students, researchers, and environmental experts.

By bridging the gap between scientists, policymakers, and media communicators, this joint initiative aims to transform public perception of the water crisis and stimulate effective, cross-border cooperation to preserve Africa’s most vital resource.

Registration Information

Secure your spot for the inaugural webinar by registering via the link below:

https://apo-opa.co/43ve76B

– on behalf of African Union of Broadcasting (AUB).

Media files

May 26, 2026

African Capital Looks to South America’s Next Wave of Energy Development

Source: APO

Africa’s energy sector is entering a different phase of capital formation. For the past two decades, the focus has been on attracting international investment into the continent’s upstream oil and gas projects. Now, a growing base of African sovereign wealth funds, state-backed vehicles and independent operators have both the balance sheet strength and the strategic mandate to look beyond domestic opportunities.

This shift is already beginning to translate into outward-looking investment strategies, with South America emerging as a key target market. Africa’s oil and gas production is expected to reach 11.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026, with upstream capital expenditure at $41 billion. At the same time, asset sales and farm-downs are creating entry points for new players, while transactions such as Vitol’s $1.65 billion acquisition of Eni assets in Ivory Coast and the Republic of Congo reflect a broader shift toward independents and trading houses taking a more prominent role.

As African players consolidate positions at home, attention is increasingly turning outward. South America offers large-scale, resource-rich opportunities with increasingly well-defined development pathways. Brazil’s pre-salt continues to deliver some of the most competitive deepwater barrels globally, while Argentina’s Vaca Muerta is moving into a new phase focused on infrastructure, LNG exports and long-term monetization. Beyond upstream, Brazil’s offshore gas infrastructure, FPSO-driven developments and subsea supply chains are creating opportunities across services and midstream segments, while Argentina’s LNG export ambitions, pipeline expansions and gas processing infrastructure are opening the door to long-term capital deployment.

The opportunity, however, is not one-directional. African investors are entering the market with relevant experience. Exposure to deepwater developments, LNG monetization and complex project structures is increasingly common among state-backed funds and their partners. This is particularly relevant in areas such as floating LNG and gas commercialization, where Africa has already demonstrated operational capability in markets like Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon and Mozambique. That expertise is directly transferable to South America’s next phase of gas and infrastructure development.

A South Atlantic Energy Corridor is beginning to take shape, driven by capital flows, shared investment priorities and growing institutional ties. Africa and South America are often seen as competing for the same capital, technology and market access, but there is increasing scope for coordination. African capital is seeking diversification and scale, while South America is advancing projects that require long-term investment and experienced partners.

Institutional alignment will be critical to realizing this potential, and the groundwork is already in place. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has developed bilateral engagement frameworks linking Latin American stakeholders with African governments, national oil companies and private sector players. In Venezuela, this has been formalized through cooperation with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and PDVSA across upstream, gas and investment promotion, while similar structures have been advanced with Brazil. The objective is to move beyond ad hoc engagement toward structured South-South energy cooperation, leveraging the Chamber’s network across more than 40 African countries to create direct pathways for investment, partnerships and government-to-government collaboration.

“The Atlantic has historically been treated as a barrier between these two regions,” said NJ Ayuk, AEC Executive Chairman. “The reality is that it is a corridor – and the opportunity is to build the institutional and commercial relationships that allow capital, technology and expertise to move in both directions.”

There is also a broader strategic dimension. Both Africa and South America have taken clear positions on energy sovereignty, local content and the right to develop hydrocarbon resources in line with national priorities. Aligning those positions at a multilateral level – from the G20 to the International Energy Forum – strengthens their collective influence at a time when global energy policy remains contested.

The capital required to develop the next generation of energy projects will not come from traditional sources alone. As South America advances large-scale developments across deepwater, LNG and infrastructure, the opportunity lies in engaging that capital early, before investment relationships are locked in elsewhere.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

May 26, 2026

Health Leaders Endorse Coordinated Action and Continuity of Essential Services During Ebola Response

Source: APO

African health leaders and global partners have agreed to strengthen regional coordination and resource mobilisation to contain the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, while also safeguarding essential services such as education and routine healthcare, including continued efforts to contain cholera, measles and other outbreaks on the continent.

The commitments were endorsed during a high-level ministerial cross-border coordination meeting convened in Kampala by the Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya, together with ministers of health from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and technical partners.

The meeting focused on strengthening surveillance, harmonising preparedness measures across borders, sustaining frontline services and reinforcing regional solidarity in the face of a growing outbreak.

Leaders stressed that the outbreak is unfolding in a region characterised by intense cross-border movement, insecurity and limited access to approved vaccines or therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain, underscoring the importance of a coordinated regional response.

Speaking during a media briefing after the meeting, Dr Kaseya said the scale and trajectory of the outbreak required sustained continental solidarity and coordination.

“This outbreak is not a DRC issue, it is a regional issue,” Dr Kaseya said. “Those who believe that it is a DRC issue will be surprised, as it was during COVID. We need to take it as a regional, even continental issue, and deal with that.”

So far, the outbreak has resulted in 96 confirmed cases and 11 confirmed deaths across the DRC and Uganda, with an additional 867 suspected cases and 204 suspected deaths under investigation.

The DRC’s Minister of Health, Dr Roger Kamba, said insecurity and laboratory limitations had complicated the response during the early phase of the outbreak. “The delay was due to the fact that the laboratory in Bunia could not detect the Bundibugyo strain, and it was necessary to send the samples to Kinshasa,” he said.

Dr Kamba also said the DRC government was engaging diplomatic and mediation channels, including international partners, to facilitate access and coordination in areas under M23 control so that Ebola response activities could continue across affected regions. He stressed that a unified response across all affected territories was essential to containing the outbreak.

The meeting endorsed a unified continental response framework built around a “one team, one plan, one budget and one implementation model” under the continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) jointly coordinated by Africa CDC and WHO. President Yoweri Museveni offered to host the IMST in Kampala.

Emergency Director at WHO-AFRO Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire said the response would depend on close coordination and solidarity among countries and partners. “No single agency, no single country can respond to this magnitude of outbreak alone,” she said. “Coordination, solidarity and collaboration are critical to this response.”

Participants agreed on a broad package of regional actions, including strengthening cross-border surveillance and early warning systems, harmonising public health measures at official and unofficial points of entry, improving laboratory and diagnostic capacity, and reinforcing infection prevention and control measures.

UNICEF Regional Director Ms Etleva Kadilli highlighted the importance of protecting essential services, including education, routine healthcare and social support systems. “Maintaining essential services – health, nutrition and protection, especially for children, girls and women – is going to be paramount,” she said.

Partners highlighted the disproportionate impact of the outbreak on women and frontline caregivers. Representing the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Regional Director Ms Lydia Zigomo said women accounted for most of the infections recorded so far.

“Women actually are representing more than 60% of the infections in this outbreak,” she said. “Mainly that’s because they’re frontline responders. At the home level, they’re the ones nursing sick people.”

Leaders further called for accelerated research and development for vaccines and therapeutics targeting the Bundibugyo strain, while urging countries and partners to strengthen community engagement, risk communication, laboratory systems and preparedness capacities across at-risk border districts.

While partners’ needs were being consolidated under a joint plan and budget, estimates were that about US$264 million could be required for response operations in the DRC and Uganda, with an additional US$54 million needed to strengthen preparedness across neighbouring high-risk countries, including South Sudan. But Dr Kaseya said the figures remained preliminary.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Media Contact:
Directorate of Communication & Public Information
Communications@africacdc.org

About Africa CDC:
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: www.AfricaCDC.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/4dTzFPk), X (https://apo-opa.co/4uzeQzu), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4dMegr5), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4fa42mH).

May 26, 2026

Africa Day (May 25): Winning Together (By Herbert Mensah)

Source: APO

By Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) and Chair of World Rugby’s Regions.

As we celebrate Africa Day under the theme “63 Years of Unity, Integration and Development,” a question emerges: are unity and integration translating into clear outcomes across the world? When investment, capacity, and infrastructure remain uneven, shared systems cannot produce shared growth outcomes.

As President of Rugby Africa, I see this reality up close. And this is not theoretical: sport does not develop by chance. It develops when leadership is disciplined, structures are built properly, and investment is directed where it matters most.

Winning off the field

The reality is simple: winning off the field matters just as much as winning on it. What is seen on match day is only the outcome. Behind it lies governance, planning, funding, player welfare, coaching structures, and long-term strategy. When those foundations are weak, success becomes episodic rather than sustainable.

Over the years, in rugby and in previous roles in football administration, I have seen how pressure can distort decision-making. Fans demand results. Stakeholders expect progress. Everyone wants success now. But consistent success is built on structure, not urgency. In sport, as in business, planning is what prevents chaos. When finances are mismanaged, when development pathways are weak, or when investment in people is neglected, performance eventually suffers. Strong governance produces strong sport, which is where integration becomes critical.

Integration strengthens the game

Too often, talent in Africa is still constrained by geography, language barriers, and outdated selection models. Integration is what removes those barriers. When properly applied, integration creates shared knowledge systems, coordinated development, and stronger competition structures across borders. It allows the game to grow beyond isolated national frameworks into a connected ecosystem. South Africa has shown how rugby can be both excellent and inclusive.

As four-time Rugby World Cup champions, they have not only elevated the sport through success, but also through a model that reflects a more inclusive society. That integration widened the talent base, strengthened credibility, and ultimately made the sport more competitive. The lesson is clear: inclusion is not a social objective separate from performance; it is a performance driver.

Africa must shape its own development

But integration must go further than participation in systems designed elsewhere. It must include participation in decision-making. No two regions operate under the same economic, logistical, or social conditions. Some face infrastructure gaps. Others face travel costs and limited domestic competition. A one-size-fits-all development model cannot work.

Africa understands its own realities best. Yet too often, development frameworks risk becoming compliance exercises — structured more around reporting than impact. That is where the focus must shift: from activity to outcomes.

Africa’s youth are the future

This becomes even more urgent when we look at Africa’s demographic reality. The United Nations reports that Africa has the world’s youngest population, with a median age of around 19 years, compared to approximately 31 globally and over 40 in parts of Europe. This is central to the future of sport. Rugby is competing for attention, participation, and relevance. It cannot stand still.
If investment is directed into youth systems, school programmes, academies, and accessible pathways, Africa will become central to the future growth of the game. If it is not, rugby will miss its most significant opportunity for expansion.

From promises to measurable growth

It is no longer enough to speak about development in abstract terms. Investment must translate into measurable outcomes: stronger coaching systems, better competitions, safer player welfare structures, and visible pathways for young athletes.

On this Africa Day, we should measure progress not by intention, but by impact. Africa will only succeed on the field when it first succeeds off it, through systems that are built to last, and leadership that is accountable to growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.

To Download Official Opinion Piece: https://apo-opa.co/3Rn9pVV

Media Contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Manager
nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com

About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 40 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.

Media files

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May 26, 2026

In Senegal, a 2,000-year-old iron workshop sheds new light on the past

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mélissa Morel, Chercheure en métallurgie et en archéologie, University of Cambridge

How was iron produced 2,000 years ago in Senegal? A recent study at the Didé West 1 archaeological site, in the Falémé Valley in eastern Senegal, sheds light on an ancient iron production technique.

Passed down from generation to generation for nearly eight centuries, this technology appears to have been developed to meet local needs. African archaeology specialists Anne Mayor, Mélissa Morel and Ladji Dianifaba explain the significance of this discovery and what it reveals about the transmission of technical knowledge over the long term.

What did you find?

For over 2,000 years, metalworkers produced iron in what is now Senegal. By studying the remains they left behind, we have been able to reconstruct their technical choices, the natural resources they used, and, to some extent, aspects of their way of life. Beyond their scientific value, these studies also highlight the expertise of ancient blacksmiths, since iron production represented a major technical and social transformation, particularly for agriculture.

In eastern Senegal, in the Falémé Valley, within the Boundou Community Nature Reserve, many ancient iron production sites have been identified in recent years. Archaeological surveys and excavations carried out by an international research team involving scholars from the universities of Geneva and Fribourg in Switzerland, as well as the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, revealed at least five distinct technical iron traditions.

The new study focused on one of these iron production techniques (named FAL02) identified in the region, which is represented at around 100 sites.

The site of Didé West 1 (DDW1), the largest and best-preserved of these sites, stands out for two major reasons. First, it provides one of the earliest known dates for iron-smelting furnaces in Senegal. Second, it documents a long sequence of metallurgical activity spanning nearly 800 years, from 400 BCE to 400 CE. These radiocarbon dates were obtained from charcoal directly associated with the furnaces.

The exceptional preservation of this site allowed us to document this technique in detail, trace its transformations over time, and better understand the choices made by the metallurgists.

How were you able to prove it?

The main evidence of ancient iron metallurgy comes from slag, which is the waste produced when ore is transformed into metal. During the smelting process, this slag flows like molten lava within the furnace before solidifying into rocky masses. Once the operation was completed, the slag was discarded and gradually piled up into large heaps.

Our study of the Didé West 1 slag heap revealed 35 furnace bases, attesting to repeated activity over several dozen generations. Certain technical features define this tradition, including multi-perforated tuyères (clay pipes pierced with holes to allow air to circulate within the furnace), as well as the use of African palm nuts as packing material at the bottom of the furnace. This system appears to have facilitated the separation of metal from slag.

By combining these observations, we were able to reconstruct how this technique worked. The metalworkers used small circular furnaces equipped with a removable chimneys rather than permanent shafts. The iron ore likely consisted of laterites (a type of soil) collected from the immediate surroundings. Taken together, these elements reflect a high level of technical expertise.

Who were the people behind this technology?

Research on African societies during the first millennium BCE and the first millennium CE comes with several challenges. Written sources are scarce, and organic materials that could provide information about housing or diet are poorly preserved. Even iron artefacts are usually too degraded to survive.

On many sites, only pottery fragments remain. It is therefore still difficult to identify precisely the populations behind the FAL02 technique. This specific technical tradition was recognised through the shapes of the furnaces, tuyères, and slag found at the sites. Iron production techniques are not merely technical processes. They reflect traditions, choices and know-how specific to each cultural group.

Analysis of the slag volumes also helps estimate how much iron was produced. At Didé West 1, the data point to modest and irregular production, likely seasonal. These elements suggest that the activity was intended to meet local needs, rather than large-scale production for export.

Why this matters

The origins of iron metallurgy in west Africa are still debated. Two major hypotheses continue to be discussed. One argues that ironworking spread from the Hittite world in Anatolia (in present-day Turkey) via the Maghreb or the Nile Valley. The other suggests an independent invention in sub-Saharan Africa. To date, the available evidence does not allow a definitive conclusion.

However, several ancient iron production sites dating from the first millennium BCE have been identified in sub-Saharan Africa, including in Nigeria, Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, and now in Senegal. These discoveries tend to strenghten the case of local development.

Within this context, the dates obtained at Didé West 1, reaching at least the 4th century BCE, make it one of the earliest known ironworking techniques in Senegal. The site therefore contributes important new data to a still limited body of evidence and helps document the early development of metallurgy in the region.

What happens next?

This study marks an important milestone, but several questions remain unanswered. The next challenge is to better understand the other iron production techniques identified in the Falémé Valley. At least four other traditions have been recognised.

Some of these techniques were in use at the same time, revealing a complex metallurgical landscape where very different traditions coexisted. This diversity raises several questions: which groups of metallurgists were behind them? How can we explain their transformations? Why do certain techniques disappear? Were some techniques more efficient than others?

The study of the FAL02 technique over nearly 800 years demonstrates that these practices evolved, with phases of continuity and transformation. By cross-referencing this data with findings from the study of ceramics and settlements, it becomes possible to better understand the societies that produced this iron and how they changed over time.

These remains allow us to move beyond the purely technical question: they offer insight into settlement dynamics, the circulation of knowledge and expertise, and long-term societal transformations, even before the emergence of medieval kingdoms and the expansion of trans-Saharan trade.

We hope that future research will help to answer some of these questions.

– In Senegal, a 2,000-year-old iron workshop sheds new light on the past
– https://theconversation.com/in-senegal-a-2-000-year-old-iron-workshop-sheds-new-light-on-the-past-283236

May 26, 2026

Senegal’s ruling alliance has split: will political turmoil follow?

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Toumani Traoré, Doctorant en Science Politique, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

Power struggles often play out in Senegal’s political arena, both within a party and between rival parties. To summarise British foreign minister Lord Palmerston’s argument in 1848:

In politics, there are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

The situation at the top of Senegal’s executive branch is no exception.

The Sonko-Diomaye duo, formed by president Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his prime minister Ousmane Sonko, used to speak with one voice. Today, the alliance that oversaw the fall of former president Macky Sall is plagued by deep internal divisions. These disagreements culminated on 22 May 2026 with the president’s announcement that he’d dismissed the prime minister and dissolved the government.

A political rally held by Sonko in November 2025 already showed signs of a fracture. In an interview six months later Faye removed all doubt. The president confirmed there were disagreements with his prime minister. He denounced the “excessive personalisation” of power around Sonko.

I am a political scientist whose doctoral research focuses on the recent transformations of Senegal’s political system. It examines the rise of the ruling party, Pastef, and the sociopolitical realignments observed between 2021 and 2024, in a period of political instability. I analyse how this anti-establishment party succeeded in upending the traditional sociopolitical order.

In my view, their split is a worrying sign of potential political turmoil ahead for the country, which is also battling an economic crisis.

The myth of unity

This unprecedented duo was forged when opposition leader Sonko’s candidacy to run for president against Sall was invalidated in January 2024. Sonko, the founder of Pastef, backed the party’s less well-known secretary-general, Faye, in securing the elections. In turn Faye backed Sonko to become prime minister.

Initially their relationship was built on political alignment. One handled the management of the state apparatus, the other ensured strong political legitimacy during the first months of their rule.

However, Pastef’s 2025 rally revealed the limits of the two-headed illusion championed by Sonko. As he predicted at the time, the event marked the beginning of a “post-November 8 era”, a turning point for the future of the partnership.

But the relationship between the two men soon led to deadlock. First, they disagreed over who should head the ruling coalition. Then came clashes over differing visions of power. Finally, disputes emerged over political alliances.

The once unifying Wolof slogan “Sonko mooy Diomaye” (Sonko is Diomaye) was Pastef’s survival strategy under Sall. That slogan has faded and is giving way to the likes of “Sonko is Sonko” and “Ousmane is Sonko”. The work of Senegalese journalist Sidy Diop supports this view. Diop shows that:

The proclaimed unity is over. It is giving way to a duality that is now visible, almost accepted, where roles are being redefined and ambitions are becoming clearer.

However, from the perspective of the theory of domination and symbolic reproduction, Sonko built what could be called a “proxy capital” (borrowed influence). Their symbolic fusion created a unique shared identity – “partisan habitus” – in which Pastef supporters no longer perceived two distinct figures, but a single political force.

Rivalry between the two leaders was inevitable, despite the “complementarity” that initially defined their entry into executive power. Senegal’s political system demands a clear hierarchy. The president’s authority is not shared.

The powers of the president of the republic and the prime minister are defined by Senegal’s constitution, in articles 42 through 52. This already created a kind of “soft rivalry”.

Faye tends to adopt a restrained posture, acting as a guarantor of proper functioning of institutions. Sonko, on the other hand, maintains a style of mobilisation and disruption. As French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu argues, institutional structures dictate individual actions, language, and posture. Not the other way round.

The office of the presidency imposes a “sovereign habitus” that naturally differs from the habitus or mindset of the prime minister and party leader. In line with the principle of separation between the functions of head of state and party politics, Faye resigned from all leadership positions in Pastef, including secretary-general. By law, however, Sonko was allowed to retain his leadership positions in the party. This further fuelled their stand-off.

The boundary between the two men is mostly invisible but very real. It lies in the transition from the street-level slogan “Diomaye is Sonko” to institutional communication where the image of the president comes first, as protocol demands.

Sonko brought Faye to power. But Faye now holds discretionary authority, including the power to appoint officials. This has created a political polarisation between factions of the party that support Faye or Sonko.

The limits of dual leadership

In physics, when two bodies of unequal weight occupy the same space, the heavier one compresses the lighter. Power is not static, just as human nature is not.

Through upward influence, Sonko draws his strength from his charisma, and strong grip on the party. He has given Faye popular legitimacy. In return, the president’s executive orders and state decisions have translated the party’s “vision” into Senegalese law.

It soon became a tricky situation: if Sonko took up too much space, his influence would spill over into Faye’s institutional territory. The president may appear to be under his tutelage. If Faye isolated himself too much, he would lose his source of legitimacy, which is Sonko. They became locked in a system of mutual dependence and self-destruction as power shifted between the president’s office and the prime minister’s.

By mimicking each other’s desires, they become mirror image antagonists. The more they resembled each other, the deeper their divergence grew. Each saw in the other a mirror of his own ambition. Ultimately both actors want the same things: power, the presidency, leadership. After being sacked by Diomaye, Sonko quickly became speaker of parliament, rejoining the opposition battle.

The myth of a gentleman’s agreement

What has unfolded at the top of Senegal’s leadership is a stark reminder that in politics, a “gentlemen’s agreement” is a myth that best serves idealists. It is the return of the “number two” syndrome. The presumptive heir apparent, initially loyal and competent, climbs the ranks and turns against his leader when the latter takes all the limelight.

The dominant player, meanwhile, in his quest to secure future elections, turns a loyal ally into an enemy. This creates a further cycle of mutual paranoia that looks set to signal a renewed period of social and political turmoil.

– Senegal’s ruling alliance has split: will political turmoil follow?
– https://theconversation.com/senegals-ruling-alliance-has-split-will-political-turmoil-follow-283710