Senegal’s political shifts and global tensions in focus

Sénégal, war in the Middle East and the 2026 World Cup

This week’s edition examines the Senegalese political landscape following the creation of a new presidential party and the constitutional reform overturned by the Constitutional Council. With Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the helm, the government is navigating uncharted waters. Will this strategy win over the opposition and sway public opinion?

Former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (left) and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (right) at the presidential palace in Dakar on October 16, 2025.

The Middle East remains a powder keg, with tensions between Iran and the United States escalating further. After fresh rounds of strikes and counterstrikes, Donald Trump declared the ceasefire “over,” dismissing negotiations with Tehran as a “waste of time.” His remarks have raised concerns about the potential for a new military escalation in the region. Is a broader conflict imminent?

Each week, African journalists and analysts dissect the continent’s most pressing issues alongside global developments.

This week’s contributors include:

  • Wuldath Mama – Beninese journalist specializing in international affairs
  • Eric Topona – Chadian journalist with Deutsche Welle’s Francophone Africa desk
  • François Hiondi Nkam – Lead reporter and Head of the Economics Department at Cameroon’s Le Jour newspaper