AFP Africa

Thousands rally in anti-LGBTQ protest in MalawiThu, 13 Jul 2023 15:20:46 GMT

About 5,000 demonstrators on Thursday staged an anti-LGBTQ protest in Lilongwe, the capital of the conservative southern African nation of Malawi, where same-sex relationships are illegal.The rally comes against the backdrop of a court case brought by a Dutch national and transgender woman from Malawi who are challenging the constitutionality of the country’s laws on …

Thousands rally in anti-LGBTQ protest in MalawiThu, 13 Jul 2023 15:20:46 GMT Read More »

Iran’s Raisi visits fellow outlier Zimbabwe ahead of key voteThu, 13 Jul 2023 15:07:44 GMT

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday urged nations targeted by Western sanctions to band together as he hosted the leader of fellow international outlier Iran.President Ebrahim Raisi arrived for the last leg of the first Africa tour by an Iranian leader in 11 years, on a tour aimed at easing the Islamic republic’s international isolation.Raisi …

Iran’s Raisi visits fellow outlier Zimbabwe ahead of key voteThu, 13 Jul 2023 15:07:44 GMT Read More »

Aid group’s rescue ship held ‘indefinitely’ in ItalyThu, 13 Jul 2023 14:32:43 GMT

Aid group SOS Mediteranee on Thursday accused Italy of hampering its work after the authorities there ordered its migrant rescue ship Ocean Viking held “for an indefinite period” in port.Officials had cited “a very small number of technical and administrative deficiencies,” said the aid group.The ship’s immobilisation in the port of Citavecchia, north of Rome, …

Aid group’s rescue ship held ‘indefinitely’ in ItalyThu, 13 Jul 2023 14:32:43 GMT Read More »

Sierra Leone parliament opens to opposition boycottThu, 13 Jul 2023 14:32:25 GMT

Sierra Leone’s new parliament opened Thursday with most opposition members refusing to be sworn in, leading to confusion about the ramifications for legislative business over the next five years.Eighty-one newly elected members of parliament from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and 14 indirectly elected paramount chief MPs, hereditary leaders from traditional ruling families, took …

Sierra Leone parliament opens to opposition boycottThu, 13 Jul 2023 14:32:25 GMT Read More »

Deadly crossing to Canaries is migrants’ alternate route to EuropeThu, 13 Jul 2023 13:43:28 GMT

More migrants from Africa are heading for Spain’s Canary islands, a route to the European mainland that is less closely monitored than the Mediterranean, but also vastly more dangerous.The islands sit off the west coast of Africa and the strong ocean currents present an added risk.But at least three boats that set off from Senegal …

Deadly crossing to Canaries is migrants’ alternate route to EuropeThu, 13 Jul 2023 13:43:28 GMT Read More »

Hundreds arrested following Kenya protests: ministryThu, 13 Jul 2023 12:02:02 GMT

Kenya’s interior ministry on Thursday said more than 300 people including a lawmaker had been arrested following violent anti-government protests that left seven people dead.There were deadly clashes and looting on Wednesday in parts of the East African nation as protesters took to the streets over tax hikes and economic pressures in defiance of a …

Hundreds arrested following Kenya protests: ministryThu, 13 Jul 2023 12:02:02 GMT Read More »

Six killed in banned Kenya protestsThu, 13 Jul 2023 03:52:13 GMT

Six people were killed on Wednesday in clashes in Kenya between police and demonstrators who joined banned opposition protests against tax hikes, police officers told AFP.After the violence, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki issued a warning that the authorities would no longer tolerate the unrest.  “Lives have been lost, scores of law enforcement officers and civilians …

Six killed in banned Kenya protestsThu, 13 Jul 2023 03:52:13 GMT Read More »

Red Crescent rescues hundreds of migrants from Tunisia desertWed, 12 Jul 2023 19:15:09 GMT

More than 600 migrants forced out of Tunisia’s port of Sfax to the desert borderlands with Libya are being sheltered and given humanitarian aid, the Red Crescent said on Wednesday.However, smaller groups of people remain stranded near the frontiers with Algeria and Libya.Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan countries fled or were forced out of Sfax …

Red Crescent rescues hundreds of migrants from Tunisia desertWed, 12 Jul 2023 19:15:09 GMT Read More »

In Uganda, Iran president attacks West on LGBTQ rightsWed, 12 Jul 2023 18:52:55 GMT

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday launched into a condemnation of Western attitudes on homosexuality during a visit to Uganda which has just introduced some of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world.Raisi, on a mission to strengthen ties with the first trip by an Iranian leader to Africa in 11 years, called out the West …

In Uganda, Iran president attacks West on LGBTQ rightsWed, 12 Jul 2023 18:52:55 GMT Read More »

Rescuers resume search for migrant boats off Canary IslesWed, 12 Jul 2023 17:33:19 GMT

Spain’s coastguard resumed the search for three migrant boats reported lost off the Canary Islands after suspending an aerial search earlier in the day due to bad weather. In recent days, rescuers have been looking for hundreds of migrants on board three boats that left Senegal in late June and were reported lost at sea by …

Rescuers resume search for migrant boats off Canary IslesWed, 12 Jul 2023 17:33:19 GMT Read More »