Togo on Monday holds legislative elections after a highly divisive constitutional reform that opponents say paves the way for President Faure Gnassingbe to further extend his family’s decades-long grip on power.At the helm of the small West African country for nearly 20 years, Faure Gnassingbe succeeded his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for almost four …

Togo split over controversial reform on eve of voteSun, 28 Apr 2024 06:01:34 GMT Read More »

The Moroccan city of Tangiers, which has a long history as a haven of inspiration for American jazz musicians, will host UNESCO’s International Jazz Day for the first time on Tuesday.Over the last century, jazz greats such as Randy Weston, Idrees Sulieman and Max Roach all crossed the Atlantic to play and record music in …

Music ‘haven of freedom’ Tangiers hosts global jazz festivalSun, 28 Apr 2024 01:34:34 GMT Read More »

With parades in the capital Lome, Togo’s ruling party and the opposition closed campaigns on Saturday before legislative elections next week after a divisive constitutional reform that has fuelled political tensions.Monday’s ballot will take place after lawmakers this month passed the reform that critics say allows President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his family’s more than …

Togo ruling party, opposition close campaigns before key voteSat, 27 Apr 2024 22:50:18 GMT Read More »

Seventy-six people in Kenya have lost their lives to floods triggered by torrential monsoon downpours since March, the government said Saturday, warning residents “to brace for even heavier rainfall”. Kenya and its East African neighbours have been battered by stronger than usual rain in recent weeks, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern.Flash floods have submerged …

Kenya flood death toll hits 76Sat, 27 Apr 2024 14:02:42 GMT Read More »

President Cyril Ramaphosa touted South Africa’s achievements under his party’s leadership on Saturday as the country celebrated 30 years of democracy a month before its most consequential election in decades.South Africans head to the polls on May 29, three decades after the first democratic election in 1994 ended white-rule, bringing Nelson Mandela and the African …

Ramaphosa lauds ANC record as S.Africa celebrates democracySat, 27 Apr 2024 12:05:55 GMT Read More »

Benin police on Saturday fired tear gas to break up a protest organised by labour unions in the economic capital Cotonou over high living costs and governance.Small groups of protesters had gathered at the site, which was cordoned off by squads of police who fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators, an AFP correspondent at the …

Benin police fire tear gas to break up union protestSat, 27 Apr 2024 10:09:14 GMT Read More »

Desperate to have her five-month-old daughter treated for a skin infection in Kenya, Celine Nyaga rode for an hour on the back of a motorcycle, cradling her baby in her arms.The 23-year-old businesswoman had spent all morning scouting public hospitals to find a paediatrician for her Audrey as a nationwide doctors’ strike ran into a …

Kenyan patients suffer as doctors’ strike grinds onSat, 27 Apr 2024 09:03:59 GMT Read More »

Thousands of sub-Saharan migrants have huddled in Tunisian olive groves for months, living in makeshift tents and surviving on meagre rations while keeping their hopes alive of reaching Europe.Around 20,000 are in isolated areas near the towns of El Amra and Jebeniana, some 30 and 40 kilometres (19 and 25 miles) north of the port …

Migrants eyeing Europe bide their time in TunisiaSat, 27 Apr 2024 03:14:57 GMT Read More »

Sudanese directors and actors were in Egypt this week hoping to use the power of cinema to shine a light on the war devastating their country and on world indifference.Fighting broke out in mid-April last year between Sudan’s regular army, headed by the country’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support …

Sudanese filmmakers shine light on war’s ‘silent problems’Sat, 27 Apr 2024 02:56:04 GMT Read More »

Burkina Faso has blocked local internet access to the BBC and Voice of America after they aired a rights report accusing the army of attacks on civilians in its battle against jihadists.The British and US broadcasters are the latest international media organisations to be targeted since Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in the West African …

Junta-led Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for two weeksFri, 26 Apr 2024 18:39:32 GMT Read More »