
FIFA has announced the list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with no Senegalese officials included. The selection comprises 52 central referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials, totaling 170 officials, the largest contingent ever for a World Cup. Seven African central referees were chosen: Omar Abdulkadir Artan Somalia, Dahane Beida Mauritania, Mustapha Ghorbal Algeria, Mohamed Adel Egypt, Abongile Tom South Africa, Pierre Atcho Gabon, and Jalal Jayed Morocco. Several African countries are represented among assistant referees, including Gabon, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Angola, and South Africa. For video assistance, two African referees, Mahmoud Ashour Egypt and Hamza El Fariq Morocco, were selected. Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, stated that the selection process involved three years of monitoring, seminars, regular evaluations, and participation in international competitions. Massimo Busacca, Director of Refereeing, added that preparations began after the 2022 World Cup. A ten-day training camp is planned in Miami starting May 31, where officials will receive physical and mental coaching and training on technologies like semi-automated offside detection, goal-line technology, and the connected ball.
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Must ReadTwo individuals, Cheikh Diop, 20, and Khadim Diouf, 34, were taken into custody on April 9 at the special police station in Touba. They are accused of unnatural acts, rape, and exploitation of a minor. The victim, a 12-year-old Quranic student identified as A.A. Ndiaye, formally identified Diop and Diouf as the perpetrators of forced sexual acts. Following these revelations, a group of "Baye Fall" individuals brought all parties to the police station, initiating judicial proceedings. A medical examination of the young boy revealed recent traumatic lesions in the anal margin, consistent with probable anal penetration, according to the medical certificate. The investigation into unnatural acts, rape, and exploitation of a minor is ongoing, and both suspects remain in police custody. This case occurs amidst a strengthening of penalties for unnatural acts in Senegal, exemplified by a recent six-year prison sentence for Mbaye Diouf, 24, by the Pikine-GuΓ©diawaye court.

The Federation of Road Transport Unions of Senegal FSTRS announced on Friday the suspension of its strike, which began on March 30. The decision followed the direct involvement of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who personally intervened late into Thursday evening, engaging with Alassane Ndoye, the president of the FSTRS. This presidential mediation facilitated a dialogue that had previously stalled. Following President Faye's instructions, union leaders met with the Ministers of Interior and Land and Air Transport. These discussions led to concrete progress, including the lifting of the night travel ban for intercity transport vehicles, a key demand of the striking transporters. The FSTRS welcomed this as a significant step towards resuming normal operations. The strike's suspension brings relief to thousands of commuters affected by cancellations and informal fare increases. Unions stated they would remain vigilant regarding the implementation of the state's commitments, with stakeholders planning to reconvene in the coming weeks to assess the application of the agreed measures.

Macky Sall's Alliance for the Republic APR has issued a critique of the current government's direction, following the Prime Minister's statements on April 4, 2026. The former ruling party asserts that the Executive lacks solutions to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the populace. The APR also denounces what it describes as a "violent austerity policy" that would disproportionately affect youth, women, rural communities, and retirees. The party further points to inefficient economic management, accusing the government of favoring a "fiscal hammering policy" over structural projects. The APR expresses indignation that the population is suffering while the government is characterized by "opulence, waste, cronyism, and the use of state resources for propaganda." In solidarity with unions and social forces, the APR calls on authorities to immediately address workers' demands. Finally, the party demands the release of political detainees and urges national stakeholders to intensify their mobilization against a government it labels as "incompetent and liberty-destroying."
Must ReadAlpha Barry, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, advocates for strong leadership at the United Nations, stating that the current crisis in multilateralism is primarily a crisis of trust. He highlights Macky Sall as a leader capable of rebuilding this trust, citing Sall's ability to maintain dialogue even in tense situations, such as during the 2015 Burkinabe crisis. Barry emphasizes Sall's consistent and credible presence in international affairs, rooted in African realities, and his long-term approach to action. He describes Sall's profile as rare, combining national, continental, and international experience with an understanding of international balances and the capacity to maintain a consistent stance. Barry points to Sall's concrete engagements, including solidarity with Burkina Faso after the 2017 Ouagadougou attack and his role in resolving critical issues for Africa's grain and fertilizer supply during the Russia-Ukraine crisis. He recounts an African head of state's remark, "Macky said it all," at the 2021 Paris summit, illustrating Sall's influence. Barry also notes Sall's ability to engage with diverse interlocutors without aligning with any single party, highlighting his call to Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire. He argues that African leadership can offer a universal vision, with Sall embodying the capacity to reconcile African roots with universal responsibility. Barry concludes that the success of such a candidacy depends on the profile's credibili