Week of October 19

2026-W43: Oct 19 – October 25, 2026
FINAL: Last update October 23, 2026
COUNTRIES IN THE NEWS: France
Nigeria
United Arab Emirates
United States
NEWS LANGUAGE: English
Français (original)

Senegal's union front launches 72-hour general strike as state threatens sanctions

First published Wed, Oct 21 · Updated Thu, Oct 22

Senegal's union front began a 72-hour general strike on Wednesday, opening a standoff with the government. The walkout comes on the eve of the first African edition of the JOJ, the youth Olympic games, according to Jeune Afrique.1 2 3

The strike call lands in the middle of a confrontation between the unions and the government, RFI reported as the stoppage got under way. National newspapers led their Wednesday editions on the strike.3 4

By Thursday the dispute had turned legal: the state threatened sanctions against strikers while a labour inspector set out the rules governing the movement, Dakaractu reported.5

UPDATES

Thu, Oct 22 · New development

Senegal's general strike entered a second day on Thursday, with unions saying the first day was "well followed" and the stoppage continuing against government pressure.6 7 8

Senegal bonds fall after Assembly speaker Sonko rejects revised budget as unacceptable

First published Wed, Oct 21

Senegal's National Assembly speaker Ousmane Sonko said the revised finance bill is "not acceptable" in its current form. Sonko also criticised recourse to the G20 debt mechanism.1 2 3

Senegal's bonds fell after Sonko's opposition to the budget plans. The drop followed the Assembly president's rejection of the budget.4 5

Abdou Mbow called on the president of the Republic to take responsibility by using exceptional powers, and raised the possibility of suspending the Assembly.6

Twelve bodies recovered in Gambia and 171 migrants rescued off Senegal after boat capsizes

First published Thu, Oct 22

Twelve bodies were recovered in Gambia after a migrant boat capsized, while 171 irregular migrants were rescued after their vessel ran aground off Senegal. The rescues followed five days of drifting at sea, and two suspects were arrested while the smugglers fled.1 2 3 4

The survivors came ashore at Gandiol in Senegal, where 171 candidates for clandestine emigration were pulled from the stranded pirogue.3 4

In Gambia, attention focused on those still missing from the wreck at Jinack Kajata, the coastal site tied to the capsizing.5 4

Macky Sall drops UN secretary-general bid and turns to the OIF race

First published Thu, Oct 22

Macky Sall has withdrawn from the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general. The former Senegalese president is now expected to enter the contest to lead the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.1 2

The UN field remains open to other candidates. The United Arab Emirates' senior diplomat Lana Nusseibeh has entered the race for the secretary-general post.3

No candidate for the UN's top job escapes a veto. Les Echos reported that every contender for the secretary-general position faces the veto power held by permanent Security Council members.4

Pape Alé Niang removes Alioune Badara Kane as RTS international news editor on eve of strike

First published Fri, Oct 23

Pape Alé Niang removed Alioune Badara Kane from his post as editor-in-chief of international news at RTS, Senegal's public broadcaster. Kane said he would defend workers' gains after his removal. The dismissal came on the eve of a strike.1 2 3

Kane's removal was described as a downgrade ordered by Niang, with SeneNews calling it a thunderclap at the broadcaster. Senego reported that Kane, after being dismissed by Niang, voiced his anger publicly.4 5

SeneNews also reported that Pape Alé Niang and his brother Thierno Niang reversed course toward RTS staff, and Kewoulo described Niang as blowing hot then cold.6 7

Also this week

Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.

Macron postpones Nigeria and Senegal trip set for October 28 to 31Fri, Oct 23Emmanuel Macron has postponed a trip to Nigeria and Senegal that had been scheduled for October 28 to 31. The French presidency announced the delay, and the visit will not take place on those dates.

Macron postpones Nigeria and Senegal trip set for October 28 to 31

First published Fri, Oct 23

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Emmanuel Macron has postponed a trip to Nigeria and Senegal that had been scheduled for October 28 to 31. The French presidency announced the delay, and the visit will not take place on those dates.1 2 3

La Provence reported the postponement under the heading of crises in France, describing Macron as under fire from critics as he put off the late-October trip. Jeune Afrique reported the same development as a cancellation of the planned visit to Nigeria and Senegal.4 5

Attributed claim: The outlets differ on what the decision amounts to: RFI and TF1 Info describe a postponed trip to Africa, while Jeune Afrique, an oppositional outlet, describes the visit as cancelled. La Provence, also oppositional, ties the decision to domestic criticism of Macron, a link the centrist outlets do not make in their headlines.2 3 4 5

Senegal's Supreme Court orders provisional release of former lands director Mamadou GueyeThu, Oct 22Senegal's Supreme Court ordered the provisional release of Mamadou Gueye, the former director of the Domaines, in the Pikine-Guédiawaye land case. He left prison under judicial supervision. The court's order came in Dakar.

Senegal's Supreme Court orders provisional release of former lands director Mamadou Gueye

First published Thu, Oct 22

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Senegal's Supreme Court ordered the provisional release of Mamadou Gueye, the former director of the Domaines, in the Pikine-Guédiawaye land case. He left prison under judicial supervision. The court's order came in Dakar.1 2 3

The public prosecutor's appeal was declared inadmissible, clearing the way for Gueye's release. Gueye had been the last detainee held in the Pikine-Guédiawaye land affair.4 5

Gueye's supporters welcomed the release. His defence had denounced what it called a difficult-to-justify "carcéral solitude" and a two-speed procedure.6 5

Dakarposte described the provisional release under judicial supervision as a procedural measure with no absolutory effect, meaning the case against Gueye continues.7

Attributed claim: SeneNews reported a reversal at Rebeuss prison: Gueye would ultimately not leave the prison, contradicting the accounts of other outlets that reported his release under judicial supervision.8 3

more than 120,000 explosive pornographic files seized on two sites SenewebWed, Oct 21"Kocc Barma" case: more than 120,000 explosive pornographic files seized on two sites Seneweb

more than 120,000 explosive pornographic files seized on two sites Seneweb

First published Wed, Oct 21

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

"Kocc Barma" case: more than 120,000 explosive pornographic files seized on two sites Seneweb1

Attributed claim: Seneweb: Affaire « Kocc Barma » : plus de 120 000 fichiers porno explosifs saisis sur deux sites (Setal.net).2

US returns $2.5 million from Yahya Jammeh's seized US home to compensate Gambian victimsWed, Oct 21The United States will return $2.5 million tied to the assets of former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, money Gambia will use to compensate victims of his regime. The funds come from the sale of Jammeh's seized home in the United States.

US returns $2.5 million from Yahya Jammeh's seized US home to compensate Gambian victims

First published Wed, Oct 21

The United States will return $2.5 million tied to the assets of former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, money Gambia will use to compensate victims of his regime. The funds come from the sale of Jammeh's seized home in the United States.1 2 3 4

The restitution is part of Gambia's transitional justice process, which has faced a gap between establishing the truth and delivering reparations. Fatou Bensouda has criticised that gap between truth and reparations in transitional justice in Africa.5 1

On transitional justice in Gambia, multi-stakeholder exchanges were recommended for implementing the recommendations.6

Senegal's prime minister opens the way to resuming public advertising contracts with the press under close supervisionWed, Oct 21Ahmadou Alhaminou Lô, Senegal's prime minister, gave a conditional green light for the resumption of public advertising conventions with the press. The agreements would return under close supervision, Xalima reported.

Senegal's prime minister opens the way to resuming public advertising contracts with the press under close supervision

First published Wed, Oct 21

Ahmadou Alhaminou Lô, Senegal's prime minister, gave a conditional green light for the resumption of public advertising conventions with the press. The agreements would return under close supervision, Xalima reported.1 2

The government used the same meeting to reaffirm its commitment to supporting the media sector over the long term. The state press agency framed the announcement as the state restating its backing for the press.3 4

Opposition outlet Dakaractu addressed the prime minister directly over children who could not go to school, asking what they should expect from him. The question was published alongside the advertising-convention story on the same day.5