AFP Africa

Under the blazing Kenyan sun, Maasai women patrol the vast plains in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, determined to tackle poachers and patriarchal prejudices.As the unarmed members of Team Lioness move stealthily across the land bordering the famous Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, one of them signals to the others to stop.Just then, a …

Women rangers fight poachers and prejudice in KenyaThu, 07 Mar 2024 07:35:15 GMT Read More »

Travelling 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) by air between two capitals on the same continent does not seem like a challenge. But it can be one in Africa. Take Libreville and Bangui for instance. The journey takes a minimum of nine hours, requires passengers to change planes and shell out $1,000 — an example of the challenges …

Protectionism, taxes, fuel: The high cost of air travel in AfricaThu, 07 Mar 2024 03:47:21 GMT Read More »

Last month was the warmest February on record globally, the ninth straight month of historic high temperatures across the planet as climate change steers the world into “uncharted territory”, Europe’s climate monitor said Thursday.    The last year has seen an onslaught of storms, crop-withering drought and devastating fires, as human-caused climate change — intensified by the …

February marks 9th straight month of record-smashing global heat: climate monitorThu, 07 Mar 2024 03:04:10 GMT Read More »

Andre Britz pulled over his pick-up truck on a rocky mountain track to show off the nature-preserving powers of southern Africa’s spekboom shrub.The 62-year-old Afrikaner is an evangelist for Portulacaria afra, a red-stemmed bush or small tree with thick, dense green leaves that acts as a sponge for carbon dioxide.”Here you can see the difference …

Spekboom bushes protect earth but can they cool Earth?Thu, 07 Mar 2024 01:38:25 GMT Read More »

Senegalese voters should finally head to the polls at the end of March, following a string of announcements late Wednesday marking the latest twist in weeks of crisis triggered by the delay to the presidential election.But there is still some confusion on the precise date of the first-round vote.While President Macky Sall set March 24 …

Senegal should vote at end of March after weeks of crisisWed, 06 Mar 2024 22:48:25 GMT Read More »

South Africa on Wednesday petitioned the International Court of Justice to impose fresh emergency measures on Israel over what it described as the “widespread starvation” resulting from its Gaza offensive.It is the second time Pretoria has asked the court for additional measures — its first request in February was denied.South Africa said it was “compelled …

S. Africa urges more emergency ICJ measures against Israel over Gaza ‘starvation’Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:52:05 GMT Read More »

Senegalese MPs on Wednesday debated an amnesty bill covering acts linked to deadly protests in recent years, a controversial text aimed at calming the crisis sparked by the presidential election delay.The bill has faced criticism that is is shielding perpetrators of serious crimes, including homicides, and its passage is not certain.A vote is expected later …

Senegal MPs debate contentious amnesty billWed, 06 Mar 2024 19:29:41 GMT Read More »

At least 8,565 people died on migration routes worldwide in 2023, making it the deadliest year since records began a decade ago, the United Nations said Wednesday.”The 2023 death toll represents a tragic increase of 20 percent compared to 2022, highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life,” the UN’s International …

UN says 2023 was deadliest year for migrants in a decadeWed, 06 Mar 2024 15:11:00 GMT Read More »

Morocco experienced record heat this winter, including the hottest January since measurements began, the country’s meteorological department told AFP, placing the blame on climate change.The North African kingdom, where temperatures recently approached 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit), is facing a sixth consecutive year of drought.The lack of water threatens the viability of agriculture — a …

Morocco winter breaks heat records: meteorologistsWed, 06 Mar 2024 14:45:19 GMT Read More »

A violent stand-off between local residents and squatters that invaded a field outside Bloemfontein starkly underlines the politics behind South Africa’s housing crisis ahead of May’s cliff-edge general election.On the north side of Curie Avenue new arrivals are setting up a sprawling shanty town of corrugated iron shacks stretching almost four kilometres from the city …

Land grab underlines housing crisis ahead of South Africa pollWed, 06 Mar 2024 14:44:59 GMT Read More »