AFP Africa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday filed his papers to contest Zimbabwe’s upcoming elections, insisting that the closely-watched vote would be peaceful despite complaints of an opposition crackdown.”The process is going very, very well, and I’m happy that Zimbabwe is now a mature democracy,” he told reporters after lodging his application at a court in Harare.Zimbabwe …

Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa assures ‘peace’ as election loomsWed, 21 Jun 2023 17:41:48 GMT Read More »

A military base in Somalia came under attack by Al-Shabaab jihadists on Wednesday,police and witnesses said, just as the African Union announced it was beginning a drawdown of troops in the violence-wracked nation.Almost simultaneous suicide bomb blasts targeted the base in the southern city of Baardhere, which hosts both Ethiopian and Somali troops, triggering heavy …

Jihadists strike military base in Somalia as AU force starts drawdownWed, 21 Jun 2023 15:35:31 GMT Read More »

Uganda’s opposition on Wednesday urged the government to withdraw its troops from foreign countries and strengthen domestic security after militants killed dozens of students in the country’s west last week.Authorities said the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militia based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, crossed the border and massacred 42 people, including 37 students, …

Uganda opposition urges govt to bring troops home after attackWed, 21 Jun 2023 14:52:47 GMT Read More »

Around 38 percent of Malian voters took part in a referendum on a new constitution drawn up by the ruling junta, officials said Wednesday.The turnout was announced by the head of the electoral authority, Moustapha Cisse, who said ballots in nearly all polling stations had now been counted.Sunday’s referendum was a delayed step towards a …

Turnout 38 percent for Mali constitution voteWed, 21 Jun 2023 14:40:29 GMT Read More »

Kenya’s trade minister is at the centre of a firestorm over a series of derogatory remarks against a leading media outlet, including calling its journalists “prostitutes”.The opposition and journalist associations have called for Moses Kuria to be censured over his outbursts, saying he was unfit to hold public office.The furore erupted when Kuria went on …

Kenya minister under fire over diatribe against media groupWed, 21 Jun 2023 09:50:13 GMT Read More »

The African Union’s mission in Somalia said Wednesday it had begun reducing troop numbers in line with plans to eventually hand over security to the troubled country’s national army.”The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia has started to drawdown in compliance with (UN Resolutions) which mandate ATMIS to drawdown 2,000 soldiers by the end of June 2023,” …

AU force in Somalia starts reducing troop numbersWed, 21 Jun 2023 09:30:56 GMT Read More »

Five-time champions Cameroon will be among 16 teams chasing nine finals places in the last round of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying during September. While only Egypt, with a record seven titles, have been more successful in the continental showpiece, Cameroon must win at home against Burundi to be certain of qualifying.A draw would leave …

Africa Cup of Nations qualifying: Five talking pointsWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:58:29 GMT Read More »

African countries are casting a worried eye as the West pumps aid into Ukraine, sensing a retreat in pledges to help their development and fight climate change.According to the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), assistance for Ukraine in 2022 shot up to $16 billion, compared to less than a billion a year …

African concerns mount as West pours aid into UkraineWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:43:01 GMT Read More »

On stage, Julius Maada Bio dances to an afrobeats hit, pacing with a slightly off-rhythm bounce as supporters in his party’s token green cheer.The scene, like others captured in widely shared videos from campaign rallies, appears unnatural for the quiet former putschist, now leading Sierra Leone as an elected civilian.But Bio, 59, who on Saturday …

SLeone’s ex-soldier turned progressive champion vying for second termWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:21:08 GMT Read More »

Hawa used to relish competing with her cousin for top marks in school until, eight months ago, she fell pregnant.”We studied hard together,” the slight 18-year-old told AFP. “I was one of the top girls in the class.”In Sierra Leone, where pregnant girls have been allowed in classrooms since a ban was lifted in 2020, …

Sierra Leone’s battle to keep pregnant girls in schoolWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:16:02 GMT Read More »