Ghana’s parliament speaker has halted the approval of new ministers in an apparent standoff over President Nana Akufo-Addo’s delay in signing off on a highly contested anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed last month.Widely criticised outside Ghana for undermining rights, “The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill” seeks to criminalise gay relationships and advocacy, with …

Ghana president caught in squabble over anti-LGBTQ billThu, 21 Mar 2024 14:15:07 GMT Read More »

Waking up to a gunman shining a light around his house, Nigerian Yusuf Thomas took his chance to escape when his would-be kidnapper told him to lie still and walked away to make a call.He was lucky. More than 80 residents from his village in northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna State were snatched after gunmen marched them …

Lucky escape in Nigerian kidnapping attackThu, 21 Mar 2024 13:13:44 GMT Read More »

Former prime minister Amadou Ba has stepped out of the shadows telling supporters the “bandits” will not win as he battles to be Senegal’s next president after Sunday’s election.Before a crowd of hundreds in the central town of Diourbel, he claimed the role of a last bastion against disorder.The once discreet technocrat has reincarnated himself …

Senegal’s Amadou Ba moves in to the spotlight for presidential raceThu, 21 Mar 2024 07:02:31 GMT Read More »

A South African bank on Wednesday announced a partial freeze on accounts of ex-president Jacob Zuma, two months ahead of a general election in which he is hoping to relaunch his political career.The First National Bank (FNB) said a court ordered the measure over a dispute related to money spent by the 81-year-old to renovate …

S.Africa court orders partial freeze on Zuma’s accountsWed, 20 Mar 2024 15:07:36 GMT Read More »

Seven million Senegalese are due to head to the polls on Sunday to vote in a wide open presidential election following weeks of chaos and uncertainty.Whoever comes out on top will be tasked with steering the traditionally stable West African nation out of years of turmoil, and managing revenues from recently discovered oil and gas …

Senegal heads for wide open presidential poll SundayWed, 20 Mar 2024 09:28:20 GMT Read More »

Ladias Konje’s maize field in northeastern Zimbabwe is normally green at this time of the year, but it is already parched yellow.The drought from the El Nino weather pattern has withered leaves, wilted cobs and raised the spectre of hunger for the 38-year-old and millions of others.”On a good year we would be relying on …

Zimbabwean farmers buckle under El Nino droughtWed, 20 Mar 2024 06:27:05 GMT Read More »

Senegal on Sunday goes to the polls in a presidential election that aims to draw a line under the worst political crisis in the country in decades.Outgoing president Macky Sall’s last-minute decision to defer the vote in February sparked clashes that left four dead in a country traditionally seen as a beacon of stability in …

From slavery to sleuths: five things to know about SenegalWed, 20 Mar 2024 03:14:02 GMT Read More »

Eighteen men and one woman are in the running on Sunday to become Senegal’s fifth president and replace Macky Sall, who has held the top job since 2012. Sall is not seeking a third term, making this the first time the West African nation will head to the polls without an incumbent standing.Here are the top …

Senegal’s leading presidential candidatesWed, 20 Mar 2024 02:46:06 GMT Read More »

South Africa’s top diplomat on Tuesday accused Israel of setting a precedent for leaders to defy the top UN court, as she again alleged a campaign of starvation in Gaza.South Africa has hauled Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to allege genocide in the war triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack, infuriating …

Israel war undermining top UN court, S.Africa saysWed, 20 Mar 2024 00:43:29 GMT Read More »

Mourtalla Diouf is part of the crowd in a small town in southern Casamance waiting to welcome the return of a man in whom all his hopes for Senegal’s future rest.After seven months behind bars, opposition figure Ousmane Sonko is back in his home region after being released from jail last week.”He’s the man who …

Senegal’s Casamance region eyes new start under oppositionTue, 19 Mar 2024 14:21:58 GMT Read More »