AFP Africa

More than 50 people have died in a fire that engulfed a five-storey building in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city’s emergency services said.Dozens of others were injured, some suffering from smoke inhalation, and were taken for treatment at local hospitals, Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.”We’re on 52 bodies, which we …

Building fire in S.Africa kills 52Thu, 31 Aug 2023 06:12:02 GMT Read More »

Leaders of the coup in Gabon on Wednesday named a general transitional president after seizing power following disputed elections in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family has ruled for 55 years, was declared the winner.The claimed takeover sparked condemnation from the African Union and alarm from Nigeria over “contagious autocracy” in a continent where …

Gabon coup leaders make general transitional presidentThu, 31 Aug 2023 03:24:14 GMT Read More »

South Sudan has lurched from one crisis to another since winning independence in 2011, but the country’s basketball team are determined to “change the narrative” on the world stage.South Sudan are competing at the Basketball World Cup, currently taking place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, and have won plaudits for their dynamic play and …

‘Bigger than basketball’: South Sudan win hearts, minds at World CupThu, 31 Aug 2023 02:31:47 GMT Read More »

More than four months into Sudan’s devastating war, arms dealers are struggling to keep up with demand for a trade that is booming, at a deadly cost.”A Kalashnikov? A rifle? A pistol?” said a 63-year-old dealer known as Wad al-Daou, offering his wares with a resounding laugh.”The demand for weapons has soared so high that …

In Sudan’s east, murky arms trade thrives as war ragesThu, 31 Aug 2023 02:29:14 GMT Read More »

Russia on Wednesday vetoed an attempt to keep inside military-run Mali a team of UN experts who had charged that foreign forces — a veiled reference to Moscow-linked Wagner mercenaries — were involved in widespread abuses.Thirteen of the UN Security Council’s 15 members backed a proposal that would have extended by one year targeted sanctions …

Russia vetoes UN resolution on Mali sanctionsThu, 31 Aug 2023 02:15:14 GMT Read More »

General Brice Oligui Nguema, named Gabon’s new leader following a coup, loyally served the central African country’s longtime strongman before turning on his son in Wednesday’s military takeover.Held aloft triumphantly by his troops following the announcement of the coup that ended 55 years of rule by the Bongo family, the elite republican guard chief is …

Gabon’s army strongman, a ‘Caesar’ caring for his menWed, 30 Aug 2023 22:23:16 GMT Read More »

New captain Mitchell Marsh led a powerful Australian batting performance and set up a crushing 111-run win in the first Twenty20 international against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday.Marsh clubbed a T20 career-best 92 not out off 49 balls as Australia piled up 226 for six after being sent in.Opening batsman Reeza Hendricks hit 56 …

New captain Marsh leads Australia to crushing winWed, 30 Aug 2023 19:48:48 GMT Read More »

Leaders of the coup in Gabon on Wednesday named a general transitional president after seizing power following disputed elections in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family has ruled for 55 years, had been declared winner.The claimed takeover sparked condemnation from the African Union (AU) and alarm from Nigeria over “contagious autocracy” in a continent …

Gabon putschists make general transitional presidentWed, 30 Aug 2023 17:47:37 GMT Read More »

As the final whistle rang out, signalling South Sudan’s defeat to Serbia and their elimination from the Basketball World Cup on Wednesday, diehard fan Deng Makuc said he was disappointed but proud.”We have shown (the world) that it’s not only the war that we have in our country, but we can do better in other …

Knocked out but heads high: S.Sudan cheers defeated basketball teamWed, 30 Aug 2023 15:52:20 GMT Read More »