In a riot of colour, music and dance, thousands of Tuareg have flocked to the Sebeiba festival that marks the end of an ancient tribal feud and which once a year transforms an oasis town deep in the Algerian Sahara.The Tuareg are a semi-nomadic people of Berber descent who practice Islam and whose traditional desert …

Tuareg flock to Algerian desert oasis for ancient festivalSun, 30 Jul 2023 14:40:24 GMT Read More »

West African leaders were to meet on Sunday for a crisis summit on the coup in Niger, where protesters tried to storm the French embassy after the junta warned of an “imminent military intervention”.In the third coup to fell a leader in Africa’s restive Sahel region in as many years, Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, …

Africa leaders to meet on Niger coup, junta warns of ‘intervention’Sun, 30 Jul 2023 12:47:03 GMT Read More »

Niger’s junta said ECOWAS could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital Niamey as the regional bloc was due to hold an “extraordinary summit” on Sunday over the coup in the Sahel state.Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has been held by the military for four days, and General Abdourahamane Tiani, the chief of the …

Niger putschists say threat of ‘imminent military intervention’ by ECOWASSun, 30 Jul 2023 10:31:49 GMT Read More »

West African leaders will meet Sunday in the Nigerian capital Abuja for an “extraordinary summit” on Niger, scene of the latest military coup to hit the Sahel region, with the possibility of sanctions on the cards.The country’s elected president Mohamed Bazoum has been held by the military for four days, and General Abdourahamane Tiani, the …

Sanctions on the cards as West African leaders discuss NigerSun, 30 Jul 2023 07:48:05 GMT Read More »

The coup in Niger, the third in as many years to topple an elected leader in Africa’s troubled Sahel, threatens to further hamper efforts against jihadist groups in the region, analysts say.Niger’s neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone a military coup since 2020, fuelled by anger at the failure to quash long-running insurgencies …

Coups in Africa’s Sahel hampering anti-jihadist effortsSun, 30 Jul 2023 07:24:53 GMT Read More »

Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab during a Women’s World Cup game when she sported the Muslim headscarf in Morocco’s match against South Korea on Sunday.World governing body FIFA lifted its ban on footballers wearing the hijab nearly a decade ago, after previous concerns over player safety.The 25-year-old defender Benzina, who …

Morocco’s Benzina makes history with hijab at Women’s World CupSun, 30 Jul 2023 05:35:43 GMT Read More »

Sweltering without air conditioning during the day and plunged into darkness at night, many Egyptians have responded with anger and ridicule to government measures for reducing energy consumption.Hours-long power cuts across Egypt, several times a day, prompted the directives as record temperatures hit the Mediterranean region this month.After 11 days of daily blackouts, Prime Minister …

Egypt energy-saving measures power satirical reactionSun, 30 Jul 2023 03:43:06 GMT Read More »

Voters in the Central African Republic will decide in a referendum Sunday whether to back a new constitution that would allow President Faustin Archange Touadera to seek a third term in a country which has endured several coups.In 2020 Touadera won a second term through to 2025, after a vote interrupted by several incursions by …

CAR nearing new constitution vote as Touadera eyes third termSun, 30 Jul 2023 03:35:13 GMT Read More »

The African Union asked Niger’s new junta to return to their bases and restore constitutional order in 15 days as the EU and former colonial ruler France Saturday suspended security cooperation and financial aid to the jihadist-hit country.General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the elite Presidential Guard, on Friday declared himself the West African country’s new …

EU, France suspend cooperation and aid to Niger after coupSat, 29 Jul 2023 18:19:23 GMT Read More »

South Africa survived a second-half Argentina onslaught to win 22-21 in Johannesburg on Saturday and finish Rugby Championship runners-up behind New Zealand.Argentina, who trailed 15-9 at half-time, camped in the Springboks’ half for much of the second period, but three missed kicks at goal by fly-half Santiago Carreras proved costly.A breakaway try by fly-half Manie …

South Africa survive Argentina onslaught in Rugby Championship winSat, 29 Jul 2023 17:57:39 GMT Read More »