Former Couleurs Tropicales host Claudy Siar has been appointed this Wednesday, June 3, 2026, as Presidential Envoy for Culture, Media, and Benin’s Global Visibility by President Romuald Wadagni.

This appointment marks a significant milestone for panafricanist Claudy Siar, who has been entrusted with enhancing Benin’s cultural and media influence. The decision comes just months after his departure from Radio France Internationale (RFI), where he had helmed the iconic Couleurs Tropicales program since 1995.

Siar’s exit from RFI in March 2026 coincided with the conclusion of his contract and the renewal of the station’s programming grid. While RFI cited a strategic shift toward new musical programming, Siar publicly attributed his departure to differences over editorial direction, his panafricanist stance, and criticism of Western policies. The move effectively ended the 31-year run of Couleurs Tropicales, a show that became a staple of African diaspora culture.

Following his departure, Siar has joined NewWorld TV, a dynamic audiovisual group, to spearhead the launch of two new channels: NewWorld Mix and NewWorld Muzik. These platforms are set to redefine music and cultural content distribution across West Africa and beyond.