Senegal crowned TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON champions after shootout win over Tanzania

RABAT, Morocco 

Senegal were crowned champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026, after beating Tanzania 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s final in Rabat.

The Young Lions of Teranga had to come from behind at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium after Tanzania stunned them with an early goal through Hamis Chenga in the seventh minute.

Ibrahima Dione equalised for Senegal in the 64th minute, turning in from close range after Tanzania goalkeeper Haji Abdullahi failed to hold a free-kick from Souleymane Commissaire Faye.

With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the final was decided by penalties, where Senegal showed greater composure to claim another continental title at this level.

Faye, Sadio, Dione and Thior all converted for Senegal in the shootout, while Tanzania scored through Usuph and Mbegelendi but saw Kilendemo and Mbegu miss their attempts.

The victory secured Senegal’s second U-17 AFCON title and further underlined the strength of the country’s youth football development system.

For Tanzania, defeat brought a painful end to a historic campaign in which the Serengeti Boys reached the final for the first time and gave East African football one of its proudest moments at continental youth level.

The final started with Senegal showing early intent, as Mouhamed Wagne created danger inside the opening minute.

But it was Tanzania who struck first.

Chenga won the ball in midfield, advanced towards the Senegal area and fired home from the edge of the box to give the Serengeti Boys a shock lead after only seven minutes.

The goal rewarded Tanzania’s bravery and discipline, while also exposing early uncertainty in the Senegal defence.

Senegal responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Tanzania remained compact and organised.

In the 22nd minute, Ibrahima Sow came close for the Young Lions with a header from a well-delivered cross by Thierno Sow, but Haji produced a fine save to preserve Tanzania’s lead.

Senegal continued to press through set-pieces and wide attacks, but they were unable to break through before half-time.

Tanzania went into the interval ahead, having shown the same resilience and tactical maturity that carried them through penalty shootout wins over Algeria and Egypt earlier in the knockout stage.

After the break, Senegal increased the tempo.

Commissaire Faye tested Tanzania from distance in the 48th minute, while Sega Fall Mbodji and Lamine Mbengue also threatened as the Young Lions began to take control of possession and territory.

The pressure finally told in the 64th minute.

Faye delivered a dangerous free-kick which Haji could only parry, and Dione reacted quickest to tap the loose ball into the net and bring Senegal level.

The equaliser shifted momentum towards Senegal, who looked the more dangerous side in the final quarter of the match.

Tanzania, however, refused to collapse.

They defended with discipline, stayed compact and looked for chances to break whenever Senegal committed players forward.

The match remained tense until the final minutes, with both sides searching for the decisive moment.

In stoppage time, Tanzania appealed for a penalty after a challenge involving Thierno Sow, but after a VAR review, the referee decided not to award a spot-kick.

That decision ensured the final would be settled from the penalty mark.

Senegal, who had already shown their nerve in shootouts against Mali and Morocco during the knockout stage, again proved clinical under pressure.

Their four penalty takers converted, while Tanzania could not match that accuracy.

The shootout victory completed a demanding campaign for Senegal, who recovered from difficult moments throughout the tournament to finish as African champions.

They had survived a dramatic quarter-final against Mali, eliminated hosts Morocco in the semi-finals and then overcame a determined Tanzania side in the final.

For coach Lamine Sané’s side, the triumph was built on resilience, tactical discipline and the ability to handle pressure in decisive moments.

For Tanzania, there will be disappointment, but also pride.

The Serengeti Boys leave Morocco 2026 having reached their first final, qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and shown that East African football can compete with the continent’s strongest youth sides.

But the night belonged to Senegal.

After a final of tension, recovery and penalty drama, the Young Lions of Teranga stood tallest to claim the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 title.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 3/6/2026

 

African Judges forum call for expeditious justice in the case of Tundu Lissu

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa 

The African Judges and Lawyers Forum (AJJF) has urged the Tanzanian judiciary to expedite the criminal proceedings against opposition leader Tundu Lissu, warning that delays in the trial could undermine public confidence in judicial institutions.

AJJF Members 

In a statement, the AJJF noted that trials involving prominent politicians attract national and international attention, so transparency and speed of proceedings are essential.

Tanzanian opposition leader and CHADEMA National Chairman Tundu Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, and has been in arbitrary detention for well over a year. He is facing politically motivated charges, including high treason, and remains in remand without trial despite international outcry and demands for his immediate release.

The forum warned that “justice delayed could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and the broader justice system.”

"As a continental platform of judges, jurists, and legal practitioners committed to the promotion of constitutionalism, judicial independence, the rule of law, and access to justice in Africa, AJJF does not take positions on the political merits of disputes before national courts, nor does it seek to interfere with the independence of judicial processes within sovereign states." The statement said. 

The AJJF stressed that a speedy and credible decision serves the interests of the accused and the State, while safeguarding the integrity of democracy. 

Tundu Lissu

It also urged Tanzanian courts to discharge their constitutional duty with independence and professionalism, ensuring that trials respect due process standards and strengthen public confidence in constitutional governance.

However, AJJF recalls that cases involving prominent political actors and matters of significant public interest inevitably attract heightened national, regional, and international scrutiny. 

The said that in such circumstances, courts bear a particularly important constitutional responsibility to ensure that justice is administered impartially, transparently, fairly, and in a manner that sustains public confidence in the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

At a time when many African democracies continue to confront complex governance and constitutional challenges, the faithful observance of fair trial guarantees and judicial independence remains indispensable to peace, democratic legitimacy, and the rule of law across the continent.

Senegal's President Faye forms new government, sidelining party of former ally Sonko

DAKAR, Senegal 

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Monday, June 1, announced a new government, excluding the party led by his former ally Ousmane Sonko, whom he sacked as prime minister over political disputes. 

Faye's announcement came in a live television broadcast less than two weeks after he fired Sonko, his former mentor, and dismissed the cabinet following disagreements including over the troubled economy.

A popular figure, Sonko was promptly elected speaker of parliament by allies in a vote boycotted by the opposition, deepening the political crisis in the west African country. 

Sonko remains the undisputed leader of Pastef, the party he founded in 2014 – to which Faye also belongs – and which controls 130 of the 165 seats in Senegal's only legislative body.

On Monday, Faye named senior economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as prime minister, saying the new appointee had the expertise to steer Senegal out of its crippling debt. 

Lo on Monday read out a list of 30 new ministers, including some Pastef members, but notable for the absence of several of its senior figures who had been in the previous government.

Sonko said his party would not join the cabinet after disagreeing about it with Faye during a "long conversation" earlier Monday.

"Some points of agreement were indeed confirmed, but also, above all, points of disagreement," Sonko said in a statement on social media. 

"Pastef will not take part and will not be represented by any ministers.

Faye appointed Sonko as prime minister in April 2024 just days after being elected president. 

Sonko would almost certainly have won the top job if he had not been barred from the presidential election due to a defamation conviction.

With his pan-Africanist rhetoric, Sonko had gained a following among young Senegalese after a power struggle with former president Macky Sall, who ruled from 2012 to 2024.

Tensions began to surface in July when the outspoken Sonko accused Faye of a "failure of leadership" by not backing him up enough against his many critics.

In May, the president took a shot at Sonko, saying the party needed to be "depersonalized" from any leader dominating it. 

While Faye is open to discussions with the International Monetary Fund on a new loan program, Sonko had advocated a more sovereign approach.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 2/6/2026

 

Polls open in Ethiopia’s election

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia 

Polls opened Monday in Ethiopia in an election that is widely expected to be won by the ruling party.

A heavy military presence was observed in the capital, Addis Ababa, as observers called for a peaceful election in the country that is Africa’s second-most populous and hosts the headquarters of the African Union.

Long queues began forming before the 6 a.m. opening time, with voters eager to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.

Ethiopians are choosing more than 500 members of the House of Representatives, who will subsequently vote to select the prime minister.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party is expected to secure a majority of seats, paving the way for him to retain office for another term.

About 50 million people, out of Ethiopia’s estimated population of 130 million, are registered to vote. Voters are also electing members of local government councils. Results are expected later on Monday.

Opposition parties have raised concerns over what they describe as a shrinking political space, alleging that they were prevented from actively campaigning and persuading voters. 

Ethiopia has also faced criticism over reports of human rights abuses targeting government critics and journalists.

A human rights defender, Noah Yesuf, said the election was illegitimate “from the beginning.”

“The fairness of an election is judged by whether there is a level playing field for the opposition and a conducive environment for citizens to freely participate,” he told our Correspondent. 

There’s an element of voter apathy due to citizens feeling let down by politicians.

Senait Dereje, a 37-year-old shopkeeper, is certain her vote matters.

“I have registered to vote. I am not sure if my vote will bring the change that I want and that will help change my livelihood,” Dereje told the reporter. “I know many friends refuse to vote as they have given up on the politicians but I have not and I see it as a referendum like vote on the mixed record of the government.”

This year’s election themes include national reconciliation due to the fighting seen in regions such as Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara, and there is also a development theme as the government pledges to undertake major projects.

Iran and US report new wave of air strikes in Gulf

WASHINGTON, United States 

Air strikes resumed between the US and Iran over the weekend as each side claimed to have hit military targets near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command (Centcom) said it conducted "self-defense strikes on Iranian radar and command and control sites for drones in Goruk, Iran and Qeshm Island this weekend".

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted an air base used by US forces in retaliation, but did not say where.

Earlier US media reported President Donald Trump had requested "edits" to the latest terms of a proposal that could lead to a peace deal, and there was no sign of a breakthrough.

The US said its strikes on Saturday and Sunday were in response to "aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a U.S. MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters".

In a post on X, Centcom said US fighters struck the Iranian military's air defences, a ground control station and two drones that it said "posed a clear threat to ships transiting through regional waters". No American servicemen or women were injured in the attacks, the military said.

The IRGC said it struck the airbase which the US had used to carry out the strikes on its communications tower on Sirri Island in the Gulf, around 40 miles (65km) from Iran's southern coastline.

Iran's military added that its response would be "completely different" if US aggression was "repeated", according to IRGC remarks reported by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.

Kuwait's military said it was "confronting hostile missile and drone attacks" using its air-defence systems, but did not specify where the interceptions were occurring.

Tehran targeted an air base in Kuwait last week in response to earlier US air strikes, which it said were conducted to prevent Iranian boats and missile strikes from laying mines around the shipping channel.

While a ceasefire came into effect on on 8 April, Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that the US and Iran were close to a permanent deal and that negotiations were progressing, but so far no formal agreement has been reached.

The latest iteration of the deal included a 60-day cessation of violence, a call to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and a framework to reopen negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, according to the CBS News.

Approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments usually pass through the Gulf shipping channel, with the de facto trade embargo placing upward pressure on fuel prices around the world.

On Sunday, Trump requested changes to an existing deal, which Iran dismissed as "speculation".

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 1/6/2026