AFP Africa

Sudan’s gold industry has become the lifeblood of its war, with nearly all of the trade channelled through the United Arab Emirates, enriching both the army and paramilitaries, according to official and NGO sources.The two-year conflict has decimated Sudan’s economy, yet last month the army-backed government announced record gold production in 2024.Demand for the country’s …

Sudan’s booming wartime gold trade flows through the UAEThu, 27 Mar 2025 13:22:33 GMT Read More »

South Sudan’s opposition said on Thursday the arrest overnight of First Vice President Riek Machar, long-time rival to President Salva Kiir, had invalidated their 2018 peace deal and risked plunging the country back into war. A convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles entered Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba, late on Wednesday and arrested him, according …

S.Sudan opposition says vice president’s arrest ends peace dealThu, 27 Mar 2025 11:36:17 GMT Read More »

Displaced Sudanese danced through the night in Port Sudan, celebrating a string of army advances in Khartoum and hoping they will soon return home.”The joy has spread everywhere,” said Khartoum native Motaz Essam as crowds swayed to music blaring from makeshift sound systems.”God willing, we’re going home, we’ll finally celebrate Eid in our own homes,” …

‘We’re going home’: Joy in Port Sudan after army victories in KhartoumThu, 27 Mar 2025 10:49:27 GMT Read More »

In a sweltering factory in Lesotho, rows of workers hunch over thrumming sewing machines churning out piles of jeans for the global market from a country that US President Donald Trump has mocked as unknown.Buy sportswear from US retail giant Walmart or blue jeans at South Africa’s apparel behemoth Mr Price and there is a …

Lesotho fears Trump shake-up could tear threadbare economyThu, 27 Mar 2025 06:40:57 GMT Read More »

African football icons Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi appear set to feature at the 2026 World Cup as Egypt and Morocco have built commanding leads in their qualifying groups.However, reigning CAF Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman and his fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen are facing a struggle to be involved in the 48-nation global showpiece.Inspired …

African stars Salah and Hakimi eyeing 2026 World CupThu, 27 Mar 2025 06:38:35 GMT Read More »

African 2026 World Cup qualifying facts and figures after matchday six:Chart-topper SalahProlific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah has also netted regularly in World Cup qualifying, topping the charts with six goals for likely qualifiers Egypt.The 32-year-old began with a bang, netting four times in a 6-0 matchday one rout of minnows Djibouti in Cairo. He also …

Football: African 2026 World Cup qualifying facts and figuresThu, 27 Mar 2025 06:38:00 GMT Read More »

President Donald Trump on Wednesday named a right-wing media critic as the US ambassador to South Africa, at a time that Washington’s relations with one of the continent’s richest countries are in free fall.If confirmed in the role by the US Senate, Brent Bozell would be stepping into the job just after the Trump administration …

Trump names media critic as ambassador to South AfricaThu, 27 Mar 2025 01:38:10 GMT Read More »

South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar, the long-time rival to President Salva Kiir, was arrested on Wednesday — a move described by the UN as leaving the country on the brink of widespread conflict.A convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles entered Machar’s residence in the capital Juba and arrested him, according to a statement …

Arrest of vice president puts S.Sudan on brink of warWed, 26 Mar 2025 23:18:28 GMT Read More »

At least 825,000 Sudanese children are trapped by fighting around the beleaguered state capital of North Darfur, threatened by violence or starvation, UNICEF warned Wednesday.”We cannot turn a blind eye to this hell on earth,” said Sheldon Yett, the UN children’s agency representative for Sudan, demanding an end to the conflict.The Sudanese army has been …

UNICEF warns 825,000 children trapped in Sudan battleWed, 26 Mar 2025 20:56:54 GMT Read More »

Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived at Khartoum’s recaptured presidential palace on Wednesday, declaring the capital “free” of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces after nearly two years of war.”Khartoum is free, it’s done,” said Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader, in a broadcast aired by state television, capping a multi-day campaign by his forces to …

Sudan army chief declares capital ‘free’ from inside presidential palaceWed, 26 Mar 2025 20:43:02 GMT Read More »