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Beverly Ochieng

@beverlyochieng.bsky.social

Books | Sahel coup watcher | Wagner Group stalker | Associate Director, Francophone Africa, Control Risks | occasional typos, usual disclaimers | so-called "Western puppet" Dakar/Nairobi/Bookshelf

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The Continent@thecontinent.org · 3mo ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 239 of The Continent Macron is back in Africa: energetic, ambitious, and still trying to convince the world Paris is relevant. Meanwhile, in Mayotte — legally France, geographically Africa — asylum seekers wait for la République to notice them. bit.ly/239_TC

This is the cover of Issue 239 of The Continent drawn by Gaddo. At the very top, in a gold banner, it says: “African Journalism | 16 May 2026 | Issue 239.” Below that, in huge black letters against a vivid blue sky, is the title: The Continent. The main illustration shows a vintage black car driving across an African savannah. The car looks overloaded with crates and bags tied to the roof and sides using ropes. Each package is labelled with political or economic themes: “Military Bases,” “Bio Tech,” “AI,” “Climate Finance,” “Energy,” “Oil,” and “Creative Sector.” A yellow plate on the front of the car reads “Africa Forward.” Driving the car is a smiling Emmanuel Macron wearing a safari-style outfit and helmet. Beside him sits William Ruto holding what looks like a ceremonial club or baton. The drawing style strongly references the classic Tintin comics by Hergé. In the bottom corner, is a note: “with apology to Hergé.” The title above the car reads: “The Adventures of Macron” and then, in larger letters, “Macron in the Kenya.” The wording is intentionally awkward and exaggerated, mimicking old European adventure comics. Around the vehicle are African animals: an elephant and giraffe stand to the left, a monkey sits on the elephant’s back, and two small animals at the bottom right appear to gossip while one says in a speech bubble: “There goes the neighbourhood!” This is the cover of Tintin in the Congo by Hergé. The cover has a bright, simple comic-book style with a pale blue sky and an open African savanna landscape. At the center is an old-fashioned black safari car driving across grassy terrain. Inside the vehicle are: Tintin, wearing his signature light-colored outfit and helmet, driving the car. Snowy, the small white dog sits behind him. Another passenger seated beside him. A tall giraffe stands to the left of the vehicle, watching as the car passes. Scattered trees and bushes fill the background. The title “Tintin Au Congo” appears in very large bold black lettering across the top half of the cover, with “Les Aventures de Tintin” and “Hergé” written above it in smaller text.
The Continent@thecontinent.org · 3mo ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 237 of The Continent Mali has been at war since 2012 but its people press on. This time it's different: coordinated attacks and insurgent blockades are halting daily life, while Assimi Goïta fights to stay in power. bit.ly/237_TC

This is the cover of The Continent, dated May 2, 2026. The illustration shows a wide, sandy desert landscape with soft dunes stretching into the distance. In the middle of the desert, there’s a walled map-like layout of parts of Mali, with different cities labelled inside. The names read: Timbuktu, Gao, Mopti, Ségou, Kayes, Kati, and Bamako. The walls form irregular borders around these places, like a fragile enclosure. Inside the walls are small, stylised buildings representing each city, some look like mosques or historic mud-brick structures with towers. On the right side of the image, parts of the wall are broken and crumbling. Thick black smoke rises from damaged areas near cities like Gao and Kidal, suggesting destruction or conflict. The smoke is heavy and dark, contrasting with the pale sand. Toward the bottom left, Bamako and nearby towns appear more intact, though still enclosed by walls. The overall feeling is that of a country divided and under strain, with some regions more affected than others. 7At the bottom of the cover, a bold headline reads: “When putsch came to shove”. A stylised illustration on a beige background with the large headline: “Reading is resistance.” Below the text is a stack of colourful books arranged like a small structure. Inside the “frame” of the books, a person with short pink hair reclines comfortably while reading a newspaper, one leg stretched upward against the books. The figure is drawn in a simple, graphic style with bold outlines and muted colours. At the bottom, there’s text inviting people to subscribe to The Continent for free via WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or email, followed by the publication’s name.
Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Chad has closed its border with Sudan amid repeated incursions by the RSF, which Déby has been accused of backing - claims he denies. For this week's @thecontinent.org, I highlight what this means for his legitimacy, the cohesion of the military and political elite and the humanitarian catastrophe.

The Continent@thecontinent.org · 5mo ago

All Protocol Observed | Welcome to Issue 230 of The Continent. Sudan's war is spilling over its borders - and Chad's president is suddenly very nervous indeed. Download your copy here: www.thecontinent.org/_files/ugd/2...

Front cover of The Continent Issue 230, showing Chad's president Idriss Deby on a red carpet, flanked by two military officials in ceremonial attire. The headline reads "Chad pays for Deby's Sudan gamble".
Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Islamic State claimed attacking Niger's main airport, its first complex incursion on a Sahel capital since establishing presence in 2015. Niger accused its neighbours and France, while thanking Russia for reinforcing its army's counter-attack. More from me here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...

BBC World Service - Newsday, Venezuela: New law opens market to foreign investment

The move was demanded by the US after it captured President Maduro earlier this month

bbc.co.uk

Tomi Oladipo@tomioladipo.bsky.social · 8mo ago

In the Guinea Bissau piece, I mentioned ECOWAS’ silence when its members hack away at democratic and civic rights. That’s been the case as well with Benin. Discussed this with @beverlyochieng.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQDN...

The government in Benin says the armed forces have foiled an attempted coup | DW News

YouTube video by DW News

youtube.com

Tomi Oladipo@tomioladipo.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Wrote this for Semafor on the coup in Guinea Bissau and the deeper institutional failures behind it www.semafor.com/article/12/0...

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Côte d'Ivoire's 25 Oct presidential poll will test the legitimacy of its institutions and its credentials as an oasis of commercial stability. A few thoughts in @economist.com on how diminished competition tilts the outcome in favour of Ouattara's fourth term bid www.economist.com/middle-east-...

Two flawed elections show the dangers of one-party rule

Rulers in Tanzania and Ivory Coast may be overestimating their countries’ stability

economist.com

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Mali has (finally) confirmed arrests in the army linked to a coup plot. Spoke to BBC about pronounced tensions in the military leadership that threaten Gen Goïta's hold on power as he embarks on an indefinite term, and the restrictive political and security environment www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...

BBC World Service - Focus on Africa, Mali: Another alleged attempted coup

Soldiers and generals have been arrested in Mali accused of an alleged attempted coup

bbc.co.uk

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Cameroon opposition leader Kamto has rejected his exclusion from the 12 October presidential election, leaving incumbent Biya the clear frontrunner for an eighth term. Spoke to @cnbc.com Africa about election scenarios, Biya's health and political tensions www.cnbcafrica.com/media/775465...

Maurice Kamto rejects exclusion from Cameroon’s presidential race - CNBC Africa

Cameroon’s main opposition figure Maurice Kamto has rejected his exclusion from the forthcoming presidential election by the country's constitutional court , describing the move as arbitrary. Beverly ...

cnbcafrica.com

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Ouattara's fourth term bid maintains broad political stability in Côte d'Ivoire while highlighting the RHDP's fragile succession plan, likely to be a priority as the October presidential election is his to lose. Spoke to @theafricareport.bsky.social on this www.theafricareport.com/389141/cote-...

Côte d’Ivoire: Inside Ouattara’s tactical fourth-term bid - The Africa Report.com

With key opponents disqualified and the ruling RHDP in disarray, President Alassane Ouattara is running for a fourth term. His supporters call it duty. His critics say it’s déjà vu, and dangerous.

theafricareport.com

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · last yr.

To no one's surprise, Alassane Ouattara will seek a fourth consecutive presidential term in Côte d'Ivoire with a diminished pool of opponents. In Cameroon, Central African Republic and Tanzania, weak oppositions are benefiting incumbents to retain power. Some thoughts here apnews.com/article/afri...

Ivory Coast leader's bid for a 4th term after rivals sidelined is seen as a risk for democracy

Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has announced that he will be running for a fourth term. He is the latest leader in West and Central Africa to attempt to stay in power after weakening the op...

apnews.com

Kriszta Satori@fulelo.bsky.social · last yr.

Why Burkina Faso's junta leader Traoré has captured hearts and minds www.bbc.com/news/article... "His messages reflect.. when many Africans are questioning the relationship with the West, and why there is still so much poverty in such a resource-rich continent" says @beverlyochieng.bsky.social

Capt Ibrahim Traoré: Why Burkina Faso's junta leader has captured hearts and minds around the world

Capt Ibrahim Traoré, 37, is portraying himself as a champion of pan-Africanism.

bbc.com

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · last yr.

As Burkina Faso's Traoré visited Russia and told RT that the army has gained control against militants, JNIM fighters reportedly briefly seized control of several security posts, killed an unknown number of forces in a campaign aimed at intensifying territorial reach to undermine the military gov't.

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Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · last yr.

Press in Senegal as Jeune Afrique is accused of manipulating a Tumbuktu Institute report on Sahel's militant threat to the east, Gabon as Oligui ends Bongo's dynasty (while Togo's Gnassingbe extends 58 years of family rule), Mali after anti-junta demos, and Benin after its deadliest militant raid

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Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · last yr.

Mali's opposition parties plan to mobilise against a cabinet resolution to dissolve political parties and elevate Gen Goïta - in power since 2020 - to president for a five-year renewable term. I analyse risks for political stability, decision-making, regional alignments www.bbc.com/swahili/bbc_...

Dira Ya Dunia - Dira Ya Dunia - Swahili - BBC News Swahili

Kipindi cha habari, makala na mahojiano cha kila siku kuanzia saa kumi na mbili unusu jioni Afrika Mashariki

bbc.com

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · last yr.

Mali looking to dissolve political parties, ban elections calls and keep Gen Goïta for 5 more years; Niger petrol stations under surveillance as militants threaten Niamey and Russia to mediate the Algeria-AES spat; and Chad finalises a peace deal with the Miski self-defence group to access minerals.

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Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · last yr.

Benin's deadliest militant attack underscores the growing instability in the Sahel, confirms JNIM's intent to exert influence in the north and puts pressure on the gov't to be forthcoming and transparent about the insurgency. Some thoughts on @afpfr.bsky.social www.barrons.com/news/benin-t...

Benin Tensions With Burkina, Niger Open Door For Jihadists

Diplomatic tensions between Benin and its junta-led Sahel neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso have led to a security vacuum which jihadists are exploiting with ever-deadlier attacks, analysts told AFP.

barrons.com

Beverly Ochieng@beverlyochieng.bsky.social · last yr.

Burkina Faso claims Côte d'Ivoire is behind the latest attempt to remove Traoré from power. Spoke to BBC Swahili about strained relations between the two countries and Traoré's popularity cast against military setbacks and a fragile political environment: www.bbc.com/swahili/bbc_...

Amka Na BBC - Amka Na BBC - Swahili - BBC News Swahili

Kipindi cha habari, mahojiano na makala kila siku saa kumi na mbili na saa moja asubuhi Afrika Mashariki

bbc.com