AFP Africa

Six months after bringing the curtain down on the 55-year Bongo dynasty, Gabon’s military leader remains popular despite criticism of authoritarian governance that is slow to fulfil promises.Many Gabonese rejoiced when Ali Bongo was overthrown in a bloodless coup on August 30, an hour after being proclaimed the winner of a presidential election, which the …

Six months after coup, Gabon leader faces mixed recordTue, 27 Feb 2024 10:06:41 GMT Read More »

Almost 500 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa last year, up 11 percent on 2022, despite government efforts to tackle the illicit trade in horns, ministers said Tuesday.The country is home to a large majority of the world’s rhinos and a hotspot for poaching, which is driven by demand from Asia, where horns …

Nearly 500 rhinos killed as poaching increases in S.AfricaTue, 27 Feb 2024 09:40:17 GMT Read More »

Senegal’s President Macky Sall has proposed a general amnesty bill for political protesters arrested since 2021, as he holds talks to end fresh turmoil over delayed elections.The West African nation is facing its worst political crisis in decades after Sall abruptly deferred the February 25 presidential vote just hours before campaigning was due to begin.The …

Senegal leader announces amnesty bill to end poll-linked turmoilTue, 27 Feb 2024 04:23:25 GMT Read More »

The United States on Monday named a special envoy on Sudan in a new push to persuade dueling generals to lay down their weapons after 10 months of bloodshed.Tom Perriello, a former congressman who earlier served as special envoy for Africa’s Great Lakes region, “will coordinate the US policy on Sudan and advance our efforts to end …

US names envoy for Sudan crisisMon, 26 Feb 2024 20:34:01 GMT Read More »

Senegal’s embattled President Macky Sall on Monday announced a general amnesty for political protests since 2021 during talks to set a new date for presidential polls he deferred this month, sparking deadly turmoil.The West African nation is in the grips of its worst political crisis in decades after Sall abruptly delayed the February 25 presidential …

Senegal leader announces amnesty to end poll-linked turmoilMon, 26 Feb 2024 19:57:52 GMT Read More »

An attack on a mosque in eastern Burkina Faso has killed dozens of Muslims on the same day as another deadly attack on Catholics attending mass, local and security sources told AFP on Monday.The two attacks struck on Sunday in different regions of the junta-ruled country caught for several years in a spiral of jihadist …

Attacks on mosque, church kill dozens in Burkina FasoMon, 26 Feb 2024 19:21:40 GMT Read More »

Two youths were shot dead Monday as Guinea’s capital was paralysed on the first day of an open-ended general strike, a key test for the junta that seized power in 2021 and banned demonstrations while muzzling critics.A confederation of the main unions has urged public and private sectors to strike for the release of a …

Two shot dead as Guinea capital crippled by general strikeMon, 26 Feb 2024 18:32:05 GMT Read More »

Senegal’s President Macky Sall was on Monday due to begin talks to end weeks of political turmoil and decide a date for a presidential poll he delayed but major political and social stakeholders are snubbing the event.Sall has faced public outcry and growing calls to set an election date after he abruptly delayed the February …

Senegal leader opens talks to end crisis after poll delayMon, 26 Feb 2024 16:15:48 GMT Read More »

Guinea’s capital came to a standstill Monday on the first day of an open-ended general strike in a key test for the junta that seized power in 2021 and banned demonstrations while muzzling critics.A confederation of the main unions has urged public and private sectors to strike for the release of a prominent media activist, …

Guinea capital crippled by general strikeMon, 26 Feb 2024 14:31:53 GMT Read More »

A French journalist has been arrested and detained in Ethiopia since February 22 on suspicion of conspiring “to create chaos” in the country, his employer said Monday.Antoine Galindo had travelled to Ethiopia to cover the African Union (AU) summit earlier this month for the specialist publication Africa Intelligence.Following his arrest on Thursday, he was brought …

French journalist detained in EthiopiaMon, 26 Feb 2024 12:40:00 GMT Read More »