AFP Africa

Raila Amolo Odinga, whose death at 80 was announced on Wednesday, spent most of his adult life in politics, including eight years in prison as a pro-democracy campaigner — but never achieved his goal of becoming Kenya’s president, despite five attempts.Odinga, who died during a trip to an Ayurvedic health clinic in India according to …

Raila Odinga: Kenya’s perennial opposition leaderWed, 15 Oct 2025 07:04:19 GMT Read More »

Mercy Diebiru-Ojo’s ambitions are straightforward — increase Nigerian yam and cassava yields by 500 percent, fight hunger and raise her country’s position on the agricultural value chain from a mere grower to a processor.The first steps, at least, are already underway for the 44-year-old agronomist, who was awarded this year’s prestigious Africa Food Prize for …

Award-winning Nigerian agronomist dreams of a cassava ‘revolution’Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:32:24 GMT Read More »

With less than a fortnight to go before Ivory Coast’s presidential election, three other west African states — all ruled by military juntas — have been waging a disinformation campaign to disrupt the vote. Accounts linked to the juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have, among other things, announced the (fake) death of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and …

Sahel juntas in online bid to disrupt Ivory Coast pollWed, 15 Oct 2025 06:17:39 GMT Read More »

Behind the looms of a workshop in the heart of Addis Ababa, dozens of weavers deftly repeat the same motions to craft traditional dresses — a centuries-old skill now threatened by Ethiopia’s economic hardships.For generations, the “habesha kemis” — long white cotton dresses often adorned with colourful embroidery — have been handwoven. Their elaborate designs …

Ethiopia’s weavers struggle to keep garment tradition aliveWed, 15 Oct 2025 05:54:06 GMT Read More »

The niece of a young Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a British soldier more than a decade ago urged the UK government Tuesday to extradite the suspect as soon as possible.Agnes Wanjiru, 21, died in 2012 after she reportedly went partying with British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki, a town in central Kenya where …

Murdered Kenyan’s niece calls for UK ex-soldier’s extraditionTue, 14 Oct 2025 19:36:48 GMT Read More »

South Africa defeated Rwanda 3-0 in Mbombela on Tuesday to win Group C and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis scored in the first half with Evidence Makgopa sealing victory with a goal midway through the second period.South Africa topped the table with 18 points, one more than Nigeria, who hammered …

South Africa beat Rwanda to qualify for 2026 World CupTue, 14 Oct 2025 19:00:17 GMT Read More »

An elite Madagascar military unit said Tuesday it had taken power in the Indian Ocean nation after parliamentarians voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of anti-government protests.There were celebrations in the streets of the capital after the commander of the CAPSAT military unit, which joined the demonstrators at the weekend, announced that it …

Military seizes power in Madagascar as president impeachedTue, 14 Oct 2025 17:57:58 GMT Read More »

Issa Tchiroma Bakary transformed in recent weeks from a veteran government minister to a symbol of change in Cameroon, proclaiming victory over longstanding President Paul Biya Tuesday, despite official results still being tallied.Hailing from the country’s north, Tchiroma rallied thousands of supporters in a campaign to end Biya’s 43-year rule. The enthusiasm that 79-year-old Tchiroma …

Issa Tchiroma Bakary: Cameroon’s unlikely presidential contenderTue, 14 Oct 2025 16:29:26 GMT Read More »

Andry Rajoelina first came to power in Madagascar in his mid-thirties in a 2009 military-backed coup after he was able to rally thousands to anti-government protests.On Tuesday, the national assembly voted to impeach the 51-year-old after he reportedly left the country as soldiers from the elite CAPSAT unit joined weeks of youth-led demonstrations against his …

Madagascar’s president, from coup to impeachmentTue, 14 Oct 2025 15:45:38 GMT Read More »

Cameroonian former minister-turned-opposition challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary claimed election victory on Tuesday against incumbent President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 43 years, although official results for the weekend vote are not expected for two weeks.  Biya, aged 92, the world’s oldest serving head of state, is vying for an eighth term to extend …

Cameroon opposition candidate Tchiroma declares victory in presidential voteTue, 14 Oct 2025 15:18:15 GMT Read More »