Togo’s opposition demanded the withdrawal of a contested constitutional reform on Thursday after the government delayed this month’s legislative elections to give lawmakers more time to review the amendment.The reform allowing the National Assembly to elect the president directly triggered opposition fears over attempts to keep President Faure Gnassingbe in power longer.Togo’s presidency late on …
Stranded abroad by almost a year of war, Saudi Arabia’s swelling Sudanese community are drawn to Riyadh’s “Little Khartoum” where they can eat, pray and console each other about the conflict ravaging their country.During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Sudanese men, some in traditional robes and turbans, gather daily for the fast-breaking iftar evening meal …
South African footballer Luke Fleurs was shot dead by robbers in Johannesburg in the latest incident to shock the crime-ridden nation, police and his club said on Thursday.Fleurs, 24, a defender with Johannesburg’s popular Kaizer Chiefs team, was gunned down Wednesday night as he refilled his car at a gas station in a northwestern suburb …
South Africa’s former parliament speaker was arrested Thursday as part of a graft inquiry, the latest scandal to hit the governing African National Congress (ANC) party ahead of elections in May.Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who resigned her speaker post Wednesday, was formally detained after handing herself in to police near Pretoria, prosecutors said. Â The ANC veteran was …
S.Africa’s ex-parliament speaker arrested in graft probeThu, 04 Apr 2024 08:41:28 GMT Read More »
On sketch pads or computer tablets, a group of young Rwandan artists painstakingly recreate portraits of victims of the 1994 genocide for their loved ones.The illustrators — like the majority of Rwanda’s population — were not even born when the 100-day killing spree by Hutu extremists was unleashed against the Tutsi minority 30 years ago …
Togo’s government on Wednesday postponed legislative elections due to be held April 20 until an unspecified date, shortly after lawmakers approved highly contested constitutional reforms.The presidency said “consultations” were needed over the changes that triggered opposition claims the reforms passed in March aimed to keep President Faure Gnassingbe in power in the West African nation.In …
Togo delays April elections over political reformsWed, 03 Apr 2024 20:31:41 GMT Read More »
Uganda’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a bid to scrap a controversial anti-gay law that is considered one of the toughest in the world. The legislation was adopted in May last year, triggering outrage among the LGBTQ community, rights campaigners, the United Nations and Western powers.It imposes penalties of up to life in prison for consensual …
Uganda court throws out challenge to harsh anti-gay lawWed, 03 Apr 2024 20:11:11 GMT Read More »
Zimbabwe declared drought a national disaster on Wednesday, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying the country needs $2 billion in aid to help millions of people who are going hungry.A severe dry spell induced by the El Nino weather pattern is wreaking havoc across southern Africa. “No Zimbabwean must succumb or die from hunger,” Mnangagwa told a …
Zimbabwe declares El Nino drought a national disasterWed, 03 Apr 2024 19:07:25 GMT Read More »
South Africa’s two-time Rugby World Cup winning skipper Siya Kolisi said on Wednesday he accepts he will lose the Springboks captaincy as he is based abroad.’Boks head coach Rassie Erasmus said last month he preferred his captain to be playing in South Africa, with their next Test in June.Flanker Kolisi, 32, joined French club Racing …
Kolisi accepts he will lose Springboks captaincyWed, 03 Apr 2024 15:06:09 GMT Read More »
To the rhythmic beat of drums and flutes, hundreds of villagers parade through a remote town in Burkina Faso wearing large, colourful masks that represent bush animals and local proverbs.In rural areas, sacred masks are frequently used in important ceremonies including births, marriages and funerals.But in a country plagued by jihadist violence, villagers are now …
Burkina Faso villagers use mystic masks to summon peaceWed, 03 Apr 2024 14:21:33 GMT Read More »
