AFP Africa

Benin’s electoral commission said on Thursday it had excluded the main opposition candidate from standing in next April’s presidential election, opening the way for the ruling coalition to retain power.The CENA rejected the candidacy of Renaud Agbodjo, the representative of the main opposition Democrats party, on the grounds that he did not have sufficient sponsors.The …

Benin opposition candidate excluded from presidential raceThu, 23 Oct 2025 14:54:36 GMT Read More »

Powerful gusts shook an observation post perched on a hill at a wind farm in South Africa as two monitors scanned the landscape through binoculars.The Overberg mountains stretched along the horizon, but the monitors — bundled in scarves — were focused on activity much closer: around a giant wind turbine, a small, dark silhouette had …

S.Africa seeks to save birds from wind turbine risksThu, 23 Oct 2025 06:39:33 GMT Read More »

The Moroccan team were greeted by thousands of fans in Rabat on Wednesday for a parade to celebrate their historic victory in the Under-20 World Cup last week.Morocco became the first Arab country to win the tournament with a 2-0 triumph over favourites Argentina in Sunday’s final in Chilean capital Santiago.Before the parade, Moroccan Crown …

Morocco’s Under-20 World Cup winners welcomed home by large crowdsWed, 22 Oct 2025 20:12:00 GMT Read More »

A US missionary working for evangelical Christian organisation SIM has been abducted in Niger’s capital Niamey, officials said Wednesday.It marks the latest in a spate of kidnappings of westerners this year in northern Niger, a country plagued by jihadist violence and governed by a military junta for over two years.The unnamed victim, a man in …

US missionary abducted in Niger capitalWed, 22 Oct 2025 19:05:02 GMT Read More »

Incumbent Alassane Ouattara is the overwhelming favourite to secure a fourth term as Ivory Coast holds presidential polls Saturday, a task facilitated by the absence of several key opposition figures.Ouattara, 83, has wielded power in the world’s top cocoa producer since 2011, when the country began reasserting itself as a west African economic powerhouse.”We want …

Ouattara favourite as fourth Ivory Coast term loomsWed, 22 Oct 2025 17:36:27 GMT Read More »

Four opposition candidates are in the running for Ivory Coast’s presidential election Saturday, vying to rattle incumbent President Alassane Ouattara and face him off in a second round. Here is the ballot lineup, notably missing two main opponents Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, who were barred from running.- Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, 76, former first lady -Simone …

The four challengers to Ouattara in I.Coast electionsWed, 22 Oct 2025 07:05:26 GMT Read More »

A US-trained economist who appears to be an almost immovable cornerstone of Ivory Coast’s political life, President Alassane Ouattara is the favourite to win a fourth term in Saturday’s presidential election.For his admirers, he spells stability and is their natural leader.His detractors accuse him of ruling the country with an iron fist and of choosing …

Alassane Ouattara, economist turned I. Coast political pillarWed, 22 Oct 2025 07:02:28 GMT Read More »

Growing up in southern Nigeria during the 1970s, Bubaraye Dakolo would easily catch 20 kilograms of fish within minutes. These days, a fisherman casts nets all night, only to bring back just about three kilograms.Now Dakolo, the monarch of Ekpetiama, a kingdom in the southern coastal state of Bayelsa, a custodian of peace and tradition and …

Nigerian monarch takes on oil giant in search of environmental justiceTue, 21 Oct 2025 06:11:28 GMT Read More »

Touting himself as the prime mover behind the transformation of Ivory Coast’s economy over 14 years in office, Alassane Ouattara hopes that revamp can help secure him a fourth presidential term Saturday.Ouattara, 83, came to power in the world’s biggest cocoa producer on the back of a political and military crisis but strong growth and investment since …

Ouattara sets stall on revamped Abidjan for Ivorian poll bidTue, 21 Oct 2025 06:07:17 GMT Read More »

Since 2020, when suspected jihadists attacked the Kafolo military camp in northeastern Ivory Coast, the army has maintained a powerful presence in the region — and now fresh threats are looming, residents warn.A detailed AFP tour of the region revealed that the military has succeeded in limiting incursions by militant fighters operating from Burkina Faso, …

Northeast I. Coast lives warily between army, jihadists and militiaMon, 20 Oct 2025 06:02:19 GMT Read More »