AFP Africa

Three South African peacekeepers have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where fighting intensified on Saturday between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 fighters, a political party said.Fighting raged in the region despite calls from the international community for the M23 to halt its advance on Goma, the key city in the east …

S. African peacekeepers killed as fighting rages in DRCSat, 25 Jan 2025 12:45:50 GMT Read More »

A drone attack on one of the last functioning hospitals in El-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region killed 30 people and injured dozens, a medical source said Saturday.The bombing of the Saudi Hospital on Friday evening “led to the destruction” of the hospital’s emergency building, the source told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation.It was …

30 killed in drone attack on hospital in Sudan’s Darfur: medical sourceSat, 25 Jan 2025 11:17:52 GMT Read More »

The DR Congo army and M23 fighters clashed outside Goma on Friday as the UK, US and France urged citizens to leave the main city in the country’s volatile east, warning the situation could deteriorate rapidly.Since peace talks failed, the militia group backed by Rwandan troops has gained swathes of territory in mineral-rich eastern Democratic …

DR Congo battles intensify, Western nations ask citizens to leave GomaSat, 25 Jan 2025 03:13:52 GMT Read More »

Explosions rocked the ground in the main city in DR Congo’s east on Friday as intensifying clashes between the country’s army and M23 fighters gripped the region.In the centre of the city of Goma schools were shut, although businesses remained open despite the fear gripping the population.Trader Mamike Ramazni said the atmosphere in the city …

Fear stalks DR Congo city Goma as artillery fire shakes groundFri, 24 Jan 2025 20:16:40 GMT Read More »

The Sudanese army said Friday it broke a siege of its headquarters in Khartoum by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which had encircled it since war broke out in April 2023.In a statement, the army said troops in Bahri (Khartoum North) and Omdurman across the Nile River had “merged with our forces stationed at the …

Sudan army breaks paramilitary siege on Khartoum HQ, reclaims oil refineryFri, 24 Jan 2025 20:15:33 GMT Read More »

The Sudanese army broke a paramilitary siege on one of its key Khartoum-area bases on Friday, paving the way to also freeing the besieged military headquarters, a military source said.In a statement, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) denied the advance, saying the army was “spreading rumours”.Since the outbreak of the war with Sudan’s army …

Sudan army breaks paramilitary siege on key base: military sourceFri, 24 Jan 2025 17:48:52 GMT Read More »

The DR Congo army and M23 on Friday clashed near the main city in the country’s volatile east as the UN warned the raging conflict had displaced over 400,000 people this year and could spark a regional war.Since peace talks failed, M23 fighters backed by Rwandan troops have gained swathes of territory in east DRC …

400,000 displaced this year as conflict rages in DRC’s volatile eastFri, 24 Jan 2025 12:41:17 GMT Read More »

The Gambia’s former dictator Yahya Jammeh has said he intends to take back control of his political party and declared he is “coming back”, in an audio message obtained by AFP on Thursday.He ruled the tiny west African nation for 22 years, presiding over a regime accused of carrying out torture, using death squads and …

Gambian exiled former dictator tells supporters: ‘I’m coming back’Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:13:29 GMT Read More »

Scheicho Scheifa is haunted by the fear of going blind. A disease called trachoma has turned his eyelids inwards, causing his eyelashes to scar his corneas so badly that one has already turned opaque.The 35-year-old farmer and baker, who blinks frequently and suffers in sunshine, said the pain is so fierce he has now “stopped working …

‘I rip out my lashes to ease pain’: Eye disease afflicts EthiopiaFri, 24 Jan 2025 02:51:00 GMT Read More »

Congolese helicopter gunships swooped low over the plains to fire volleys of rockets and troops trucked towards the front line to halt Rwanda-backed fighters advancing on DR Congo’s eastern provincial capital after capturing a string of towns.The Mi-24s — rarely used because of the M23 and Rwanda anti-aircraft defences — fly low over the plain, …

Congolese army battles to halt advancing Rwanda-backed fightersThu, 23 Jan 2025 17:23:30 GMT Read More »