AFP Africa

The coup in Niger, the third in as many years to topple an elected leader in Africa’s troubled Sahel, threatens to further hamper efforts against jihadist groups in the region, analysts say.Niger’s neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone a military coup since 2020, fuelled by anger at the failure to quash long-running insurgencies …

Coups in Africa’s Sahel hampering anti-jihadist effortsSun, 30 Jul 2023 07:24:53 GMT Read More »

Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab during a Women’s World Cup game when she sported the Muslim headscarf in Morocco’s match against South Korea on Sunday.World governing body FIFA lifted its ban on footballers wearing the hijab nearly a decade ago, after previous concerns over player safety.The 25-year-old defender Benzina, who …

Morocco’s Benzina makes history with hijab at Women’s World CupSun, 30 Jul 2023 05:35:43 GMT Read More »

Sweltering without air conditioning during the day and plunged into darkness at night, many Egyptians have responded with anger and ridicule to government measures for reducing energy consumption.Hours-long power cuts across Egypt, several times a day, prompted the directives as record temperatures hit the Mediterranean region this month.After 11 days of daily blackouts, Prime Minister …

Egypt energy-saving measures power satirical reactionSun, 30 Jul 2023 03:43:06 GMT Read More »

Voters in the Central African Republic will decide in a referendum Sunday whether to back a new constitution that would allow President Faustin Archange Touadera to seek a third term in a country which has endured several coups.In 2020 Touadera won a second term through to 2025, after a vote interrupted by several incursions by …

CAR nearing new constitution vote as Touadera eyes third termSun, 30 Jul 2023 03:35:13 GMT Read More »

The African Union asked Niger’s new junta to return to their bases and restore constitutional order in 15 days as the EU and former colonial ruler France Saturday suspended security cooperation and financial aid to the jihadist-hit country.General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the elite Presidential Guard, on Friday declared himself the West African country’s new …

EU, France suspend cooperation and aid to Niger after coupSat, 29 Jul 2023 18:19:23 GMT Read More »

South Africa survived a second-half Argentina onslaught to win 22-21 in Johannesburg on Saturday and finish Rugby Championship runners-up behind New Zealand.Argentina, who trailed 15-9 at half-time, camped in the Springboks’ half for much of the second period, but three missed kicks at goal by fly-half Santiago Carreras proved costly.A breakaway try by fly-half Manie …

South Africa survive Argentina onslaught in Rugby Championship winSat, 29 Jul 2023 17:57:39 GMT Read More »

The African Union demanded Niger’s military “return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority” within 15 days as the EU intensified pressure on the coup leaders Saturday by suspending security cooperation with the jihadist-hit country.General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the Presidential Guard since 2011, appeared on state television on Friday to declare himself the troubled West …

African Union, EU up pressure on Niger coup leadersSat, 29 Jul 2023 14:54:39 GMT Read More »

General Abdourahamane Tiani, the chief of Niger’s powerful presidential guard who took power after a military coup, is an army veteran who has foiled similar uprisings in the restive West African nation.Tiani, 59, has shunned the limelight despite a stellar military career which saw him lead the elite 700-member unit from 2011 up until now.”He …

General Tiani: Shadowy army veteran who seized power in NigerSat, 29 Jul 2023 11:16:53 GMT Read More »

The Niger general who staged a coup on Friday declared himself the new leader of the jihadist-hit African nation and warned that any foreign military intervention would lead to chaos.General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the Presidential Guard since 2011, appeared on state television, saying he was the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard …

Niger army general declares himself country’s new leaderSat, 29 Jul 2023 02:28:10 GMT Read More »

Leading Senegalese opposition politician Ousmane Sonko was arrested on Friday for allegedly stealing a gendarme’s phone and posting a “subversive” message.The firebrand politician, a thorn in the flesh of President Macky Sall, has faced a number of legal woes, which he says are aimed at keeping him out of politics.His sentencing last month in a …

Leading Senegal opposition figure Sonko arrestedFri, 28 Jul 2023 22:18:01 GMT Read More »