France prepared to evacuate French and other European citizens from Niger on Tuesday, six days after a coup that toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel and stoked anti-French demonstrations.President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by his own guard, in the region’s third putsch in as many years following …

Europeans set to evacuate from tense Niger following coupTue, 01 Aug 2023 09:56:06 GMT Read More »

Nigeria are “destined for something special” at the Women’s World Cup, their coach Randy Waldrum has said, after reaching the last 16 and a likely clash with England.The Super Falcons confounded expectations by beating co-hosts Australia 3-2 on the way to progressing unbeaten from one of the toughest groups at the tournament.A 0-0 stalemate against …

Nigeria ‘destined for something special’ at World Cup, coach saysTue, 01 Aug 2023 03:58:11 GMT Read More »

Junta-led Burkina Faso and Mali warned Monday that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered a “declaration of war against their two countries.The warning from Niger’s military-ruled neighbours came a day after West African leaders, supported by their Western partners, threatened to use “force” to reinstate the democratically …

Junta-led Burkina and Mali warn against military intervention in NigerTue, 01 Aug 2023 03:22:30 GMT Read More »

Two people were killed Monday during protests in southern Senegal after the indictment and detention of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, a presidential candidate for the 2024 election, the interior ministry said.Sonko, President Macky Sall’s fiercest critic, on Monday was charged with fomenting insurrection and his party dissolved, prompting clashes between protesters and police.The leading opposition …

Two killed in Senegal protests after detention of opposition figure SonkoTue, 01 Aug 2023 01:46:22 GMT Read More »

Niger’s new junta on Monday accused France of seeking to “intervene militarily” to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, as tensions soared with the former colonial power and its neighbours.France hit back in the evening with Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denying the charges and adding it was still “possible” to restore Bazoum to power.And in a …

Niger junta says France plotting to ‘intervene militarily’Mon, 31 Jul 2023 22:08:30 GMT Read More »

Leading Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko on Monday was charged with fomenting insurrection and his party dissolved, prompting clashes between protesters and police.Sonko, a presidential candidate and President Macky Sall’s fiercest critic, has faced a string of legal woes, which he claims have been designed to keep him out of politics.His sentencing in absentia to …

Senegal opposition figure Sonko charged and detained: lawyerMon, 31 Jul 2023 21:21:09 GMT Read More »

Leading Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko on Monday was charged with fomenting insurrection and his party dissolved, stoking concerns about further unrest two months after fatal clashes.Sonko, a presidential candidate and President Macky Sall’s fiercest critic, has faced a string of legal woes, which he claims have been designed to keep him out of politics.His …

Senegal opposition figure Sonko charged and detained: lawyerMon, 31 Jul 2023 17:47:16 GMT Read More »

Thousands of Ugandans on Monday thronged the palace grounds of the country’s largest kingdom Buganda, defying rain as they danced and ululated to mark 30 years since the coronation of King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.Dressed in traditional attire — with men wearing a white tunic called a “kanzu’ and women donning “bitenge” dresses — the …

Ugandans celebrate 30 years since Buganda king’s coronationMon, 31 Jul 2023 16:05:33 GMT Read More »

After bust-ups with Mali and Burkina Faso, France is now watching its relationship with Niger spiral downwards following the Sahel’s third military takeover in as many years.The same scenes that have played out in Niger since the July 26 coup have been eerily witnessed in its two neighbours, where elected leaders were tossed aside in …

France, Niger on familiar path to breakup in coup-prone SahelMon, 31 Jul 2023 15:43:20 GMT Read More »

Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko on Monday was charged with fomenting insurrection, three days after being arrested at his home, one of his lawyers told AFP. Sonko, a fierce critic of President Macky Sall, “was charged and placed in custody” after appearing before a judge, lawyer Ousseynou Ngom told AFP.The public prosecutor on Saturday anounced seven new …

Senegal opposition figure Sonko formally charged and detained: lawyerMon, 31 Jul 2023 15:41:00 GMT Read More »