The latest negotiations towards a global treaty to combat plastic pollution open in Nairobi on Monday, with tensions expected as nations tussle over what should be included in the pact.Some 175 countries agreed last year to conclude by 2024 a UN treaty to combat the plastic blighting oceans, floating in the atmosphere, and infiltrating the …

Nations to negotiate terms of plastics treaty in NairobiMon, 13 Nov 2023 01:47:22 GMT Read More »

Ivory Coast’s former prime minister Guillaume Soro, sentenced to life in prison for undermining national security, on Sunday said he was ending his self-imposed exile that began in 2019.Soro was previously right-hand man to President Alassane Ouattara, but the pair fell out in 2019, with the head of state accusing him of fomenting a “civilian …

Ivory Coast ex-PM Guillaume Soro says ending exileSun, 12 Nov 2023 20:29:52 GMT Read More »

South African police fired stun grenades and water cannons in Cape Town on Sunday to quell clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.A prayer for Israel and the Hamas hostages held in Gaza was to be held in the early afternoon in an affluent area of Cape Town on the Atlantic coast, a popular place for …

Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups clash in S. AfricaSun, 12 Nov 2023 15:11:14 GMT Read More »

Madagascar’s outgoing president Andry Rajoelina expressed little doubt as he spoke to AFP about his predictions for the country’s upcoming elections.”I’m going to win, that’s for sure, and in the first round,” said the leader, who will seek re-election on Thursday and is banking on popular support and God to get him over the line.Voters …

Madagascar’s Rajoelina expects re-election, with some divine helpSun, 12 Nov 2023 13:41:24 GMT Read More »

Mali’s army drove closer on Saturday to the town of Kidal clashing with Tuareg separatist and rebel groups in what could signal the start of fighting for the strategically important northern crossroads.Since seizing power in a coup in 2020 the African country’s military rulers have made a priority of re-establishing sovereignty over all regions and …

Fighting breaks out as Mali army closes on Tuareg rebel townSat, 11 Nov 2023 21:44:10 GMT Read More »

Police fired tear gas on Saturday to disperse supporters of Madagascar’s opposition and detained 11 ahead of a presidential election on November 16.Several hundred people, mostly youths, gathered in the centre of the capital Antananarivo in  protest at what the opposition calls an “institutional coup” to favour the sitting president.AFP reporters said they put up …

Madagascar police break up new opposition protestSat, 11 Nov 2023 19:28:47 GMT Read More »

Mali’s army moved closer Saturday to the strategically important northern town of Kidal that is held by Touareg separatist and rebel groups, army and political sources said.Since seizing power in a coup in 2020 the African country’s military rulers have made a priority of re-establishing sovereignty over all regions and Kidal could become a key …

Mali army closes on Touareg rebel town: sourcesSat, 11 Nov 2023 16:28:11 GMT Read More »

Hundreds of environmental campaigners marched in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Saturday demanding drastic curbs on plastic production, ahead of a meeting to negotiate a global plastics treaty.Representatives from more than 170 nations will meet in Nairobi from Monday to negotiate what concrete measures should be included in a binding worldwide treaty to end plastic …

Hundreds of activists demand plastic action in KenyaSat, 11 Nov 2023 11:05:02 GMT Read More »

Liberia’s main opposition contender for president Joseph Boakai has four decades of political experience behind him but at the age of 78, he faces the challenge of winning over a largely young population.He was vice president from 2006 to 2018 to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president, who rebuilt a ravaged Liberia after …

Joseph Boakai: political veteran with plan to ‘rescue’ LiberiaSat, 11 Nov 2023 06:16:38 GMT Read More »

From Liberia’s swampy slums to international football star and then president, George Weah is contesting a second term in a run-off on Tuesday, defending a controversial record and facing determined opposition.Weah won in 2017 with more than 61 percent of the vote, and again faces a second round this time after nearly tying with old rival Joseph …

From slums to football star and president, Liberia’s George WeahSat, 11 Nov 2023 05:52:09 GMT Read More »