A recent surge in cyberattacks targeting the Senegalese state has prompted serious questions about the nation’s digital resilience. This marks the third significant incident in a mere six months, highlighting a worrying pattern of vulnerability across critical public infrastructure. Following assaults on the tax authority’s website in October and the national identity card department in January, hackers have now compromised the Public Treasury.

While any single breach might be dismissed as a technical glitch, the repeated nature and strategic targeting of these institutions reveal a deeply concerning reality: the profound susceptibility of Senegal’s digital public systems. Experts are increasingly calling for robust measures to bolster national cybersecurity.

In Dakar, a cybersecurity specialist emphasized the urgent need for a national cybersecurity agency. Such an entity would be crucial for effectively coordinating responses to these escalating incidents. The expert further advocated for the establishment of centers of excellence, increased support for research, and greater integration of local experts into national strategic projects to fortify the country’s digital defenses.

Mountaga Tall’s family announces legal action

In Mali, prominent lawyer and politician Mountaga Tall was reportedly seized by armed, masked individuals earlier this month. This incident draws unsettling parallels with the January 2024 arrest of Maître Guy Hervé Kam in Burkina Faso.

The leader of the political movement Sens, Mountaga Tall, has since been charged with “conspiracy against state security” and “criminal association.” These two cases share striking similarities: opaque disappearances or arrests, an initial lack of clear official communication, widespread mobilization by legal teams, and a surge of intense campaigns on social media platforms. These events underscore a growing tension between legitimate security imperatives and the fundamental respect for public liberties across the region.

DRC constitutional reform debate stirs controversy

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the discussion surrounding constitutional reform continues to ignite fierce debate. Ejiba Yamapia, president of the Church of Revival of Congo, has publicly advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the 2006 Constitution, which he controversially labeled a “constitution of belligerence.”

Yamapia champions a new fundamental law focused on development and national sovereignty, proposing a shift towards a more presidential system. He urged politicians to prioritize republican consensus over narrow electoral interests. However, these remarks have sparked significant outrage among opposition factions. Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the Lamuka coalition, vehemently criticized the Church, accusing it of becoming a “soldier in the service of Félix Tshisekedi’s third term,” directly challenging Ejiba Yamapia’s stance.

African Athletics Confederation president passes away

Colonel Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, a towering figure in African sports, has passed away in Yaoundé at the age of 75. He served as both president of the African Athletics Confederation and the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Cameroon. Tributes have poured in, including a poignant homage from Moroccan athlete Aziz Daouda.

Daouda described Malboum’s passing as a profound loss for African athletics, calling him “much more than a leader – a militant.” He lamented the end of an era, referring to Malboum as “one of the last great builders of a generation” that firmly believed in Africa’s potential to claim its rightful place in global sports governance. Daouda recalled Malboum’s unwavering conviction that Africa was not merely a reservoir of talent for other nations but was destined to evolve into an organized, respected, and influential sporting powerhouse in its own right.