AFP Africa

Political tensions shake up trade routes in fractured West AfricaMon, 27 Jan 2025 13:11:24 GMT

Junta-led Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso will officially quit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday, following years of deteriorating relations that have redefined trade routes across the fractured region.After overthrowing civilian governments between 2020 and 2023, the military leaders in the three countries broke ties with ECOWAS and teamed up to …

Political tensions shake up trade routes in fractured West AfricaMon, 27 Jan 2025 13:11:24 GMT Read More »

DR Congo’s Goma close to falling to militia, Rwanda troops: FranceMon, 27 Jan 2025 09:46:16 GMT

The besieged Congolese city of Goma was rocked by heavy artillery fire on Monday as France warned the regional capital was on the brink of falling to militia fighters and Rwandan troops.The M23 armed group and Rwandan soldiers entered Goma’s centre on Sunday night after weeks of advancing on the main city in DR Congo’s …

DR Congo’s Goma close to falling to militia, Rwanda troops: FranceMon, 27 Jan 2025 09:46:16 GMT Read More »

W.African bloc’s future uncertain as three key members quitMon, 27 Jan 2025 06:34:19 GMT

The withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States takes effect on Wednesday after a year of political tensions, fracturing the region and leaving the bloc with an uncertain future.On January 29, 2024, the three countries led by military regimes formally notified ECOWAS of their desire for “immediate” …

W.African bloc’s future uncertain as three key members quitMon, 27 Jan 2025 06:34:19 GMT Read More »

Gunfire in DR Congo’s Goma as Kenya pushes peace talksMon, 27 Jan 2025 03:50:48 GMT

Gunfire broke out before dawn Monday in the centre of the besieged Congolese city of Goma, after the Democratic Republic of Congo accused neighbouring Rwanda of sending more troops across the border to help allied fighters capture the provincial capital.With international pressure mounting for an end to the battle for Goma, Kenya announced on Sunday …

Gunfire in DR Congo’s Goma as Kenya pushes peace talksMon, 27 Jan 2025 03:50:48 GMT Read More »

Gunfire in DR Congo’s Goma as pro-Rwanda forces close inSun, 26 Jan 2025 21:42:45 GMT

Gunshots rang out Sunday night in the centre of the besieged Congolese city of Goma, AFP journalists heard, after the Democratic Republic of Congo accused Rwanda of sending fresh troops across the border to capture the strategic hub.After nightfall, large explosions could be heard across the capital of the mineral-rich North Kivu province. Fighters from …

Gunfire in DR Congo’s Goma as pro-Rwanda forces close inSun, 26 Jan 2025 21:42:45 GMT Read More »

Sudan army chief visits HQ after recapture from paramilitariesSun, 26 Jan 2025 17:36:09 GMT

Sudan’s army chief visited on Sunday his headquarters in the capital Khartoum, two days after forces recaptured the complex, which paramilitaries had encircled since the war erupted in April 2023.”Our forces are in their best condition,” Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told army commanders at the headquarters close to the city centre and airport.The army’s recapture of …

Sudan army chief visits HQ after recapture from paramilitariesSun, 26 Jan 2025 17:36:09 GMT Read More »

Japanese man ends 6,000km Africa rickshaw trek in Cape TownSun, 26 Jan 2025 16:32:42 GMT

A 34-year-old Japanese man on Sunday arrived in Cape Town to end a more than 6,000-kilometre (3,700-mile) journey from Kenya to South Africa on foot while pulling a rickshaw.Yuji “Gump” Suzuki was emotional as he thanked his supporters for their backing during his latest quest which started in the Kenyan capital in July and took …

Japanese man ends 6,000km Africa rickshaw trek in Cape TownSun, 26 Jan 2025 16:32:42 GMT Read More »

UN chief calls for Rwanda to stop advance on key DR Congo citySun, 26 Jan 2025 16:03:39 GMT

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where fierce fighting raged as Kigali-backed fighters closed in on the major city of Goma.As clashes escalated with the deaths of around a dozen foreign peacekeepers, the UN Security Council prepared an emergency meeting on the …

UN chief calls for Rwanda to stop advance on key DR Congo citySun, 26 Jan 2025 16:03:39 GMT Read More »

Intense combat edges toward key DRC city as UN plans urgent meetingSun, 26 Jan 2025 12:49:00 GMT

Intense combat between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed fighters on Sunday edged closer to the major city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the UN Security Council prepared an emergency meeting.As the fighting intensified, both the DRC and Rwanda withdrew their diplomats from each other’s capitals.The resource-rich eastern provinces of North and South …

Intense combat edges toward key DRC city as UN plans urgent meetingSun, 26 Jan 2025 12:49:00 GMT Read More »

Sudan’s army chief visits HQ after recapture from paramilitariesSun, 26 Jan 2025 11:42:48 GMT

Sudan’s army chief visited on Sunday his headquarters in the capital Khartoum, two days after forces recaptured the building, which had been encircled by paramilitary fighters since the war erupted in April 2023.”Our forces are in their best condition,” Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told army commanders at the reclaimed headquarters close to the city centre and …

Sudan’s army chief visits HQ after recapture from paramilitariesSun, 26 Jan 2025 11:42:48 GMT Read More »