AFP Africa

Algerian firefighters were Tuesday battling blazes that have killed 34 people across the tinder-dry north, destroyed homes and coastal resorts and turned vast forest areas into blackened wastelands.  Witnesses described fleeing walls of flames that raged “like a blowtorch” as TV footage showed charred cars, burnt-out shops and smouldering fields and scrubland.Severe fires have raged through …

Algeria battles raging wildfires that have killed 34Tue, 25 Jul 2023 15:02:21 GMT Read More »

Air strikes and artillery barrages from Sudan’s warring generals killed at least 16 people in a Khartoum neighbourhood on Tuesday, a neighbourhood group reported.After more than 100 days of war, the latest bombardments added to a toll of at least 3,900 killed nationwide.”Sixteen citizens died today in this senseless war” when shells hit civilian homes …

16 killed as homes hit in Khartoum air, artillery strikesTue, 25 Jul 2023 14:28:05 GMT Read More »

The International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) said on Tuesday that its head, Rwandan national Louise Mushikiwabo, will not attend the Francophone Games that begin in DR Congo this week.The announcement comes amid high tension between the Democratic Republic of of Congo and its smaller neighbour Rwanda.The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, who …

French-speaking bloc says Rwandan head will not attend upcoming gamesTue, 25 Jul 2023 13:30:03 GMT Read More »

Veteran Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday hit out against  “unprecedented police brutality” during protests he organised over a cost-of-living crisis in the East African nation.Since March, Odinga’s Azimio coalition has staged nine days of street protests against President William Ruto’s government, with the rallies sometimes degenerating into looting and deadly clashes between security …

Kenya’s Odinga condemns ‘unprecedented police brutality’ at protestsTue, 25 Jul 2023 12:54:01 GMT Read More »

Russia hosts African leaders this week for a summit aimed at boosting ties despite concerns in Africa over the conflict in Ukraine and the suspension of a deal on Ukrainian grain exports.Isolated on the international scene since launching the military campaign in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin still has support in several African countries.”Today the partnership …

Putin aims to bolster Africa ties despite Ukraine conflictTue, 25 Jul 2023 10:40:00 GMT Read More »

Most mornings, Ariette Oto clambers up a winding, precipitous path to the top of a ravine on the periphery of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s sprawling capital.There, the mother of five fills her 25-litre (6.5-gallon) jerrycan with water, pays 150 Congolese francs (six US cents) and hauls the precious load back home.Just a short distance …

DR Congo’s riverside capital running on scarce and dirty waterTue, 25 Jul 2023 04:15:35 GMT Read More »

A UK court on Monday ordered a former Nigerian politician and his criminal associates to repay £130 million ($167 million) that he looted while governor of Delta State.James Ibori, the flamboyant governor of the oil-rich state in southern Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, was jailed in Britain in 2012 for money laundering and fraud following a …

UK court orders convicted Nigerian ex-governor to repay £130mMon, 24 Jul 2023 16:39:01 GMT Read More »

Gabon’s leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is favourite to win a third term, will face 18 other candidates in next month’s presidential election, authorities announced Monday.Bongo’s family has ruled the oil-rich West African state for 55 years.The 64-year-old, who took over from his father Omar Bongo Ondimba in 2009, officially announced in July that he …

Gabon’s Bongo to face 18 candidates in presidential voteMon, 24 Jul 2023 16:01:48 GMT Read More »

Lagos state government came under fire on Monday over plans for a mass burial of more than 100 people killed during Nigeria’s 2020 anti-police brutality rallies, sparking renewed outrage over a crackdown on protesters and calls for an investigation.The youth-led #EndSARS protests were the largest anti-government demonstrations in Nigeria’s modern history, but ended in repression …

Lagos under fire over plans for mass burial of 2020 protest victimsMon, 24 Jul 2023 15:57:33 GMT Read More »

At least 15 people, thought to be migrants, were killed when their wooden boat capsized off the Senegalese capital Dakar, a local official told AFP on Monday.Police and rescue workers were still looking for more bodies after the pirogue overturned overnight Sunday to Monday.”The navy told the vessel to draw alongside and they fled,” district …

15 die in boat capsize off Senegal capitalMon, 24 Jul 2023 14:38:04 GMT Read More »