AFRICA

Tripoli, Libya | AFP |  The Libyan capital’s only operational airport has closed again after threats by forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, dealing another setback to peace efforts as regional foreign ministers prepare to meet in Algeria Thursday. The airport has been hit multiple times since the start of a …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi lawmakers on Tuesday adopted legislation offering a golden parachute to outgoing presidents, including a luxury villa and a one-off sum equivalent to more than half a million dollars. The move comes four months ahead of May 20 elections for which President Pierre Nkurunziza has said …

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | AFP | Tanzanian President John Magufuli has promised this year’s general election will be “free and fair” and invited international monitors to observe proceedings amid concerns of a democratic crackdown in the East African nation. Magufuli’s long-ruling CCM party won 99 percent of seats in local …

Anka, Nigeria | AFP | From dawn, before the sun starts to sear the earth, Biltamnu Sani is already hard at work, pounding away at the dusty soil in his perilous quest for gold. The mineral-rich earth of Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, has provided generations of families with the means to …

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | AFP |  Militants killed 36 civilians when they attacked villages in northern Burkina Faso, the government said Tuesday, appealing for local volunteers to bolster its fight against jihadists. A “terrorist group” killed 32 civilians when they attacked and burned the market in Nagraogo village before killing four …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Beleaguered national airline South African Airways (SAA) announced on Tuesday it was cancelling 10 domestic and one international flight in an effort to streamline services and save cash. The cash-strapped airline was last month placed under a state-approved business rescue plan to avoid its total …

Yaoundé, Cameroon | AFP |   It’s already 1:00 am at the Quebec, a cabaret in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde where the beer is flowing and punters are getting restless. Finally the band starts up and a trio of bikutsi dancers enter the spotlight, hips undulating with unabashed sexuality. “I want to, …

Tunis, Tunisia | AFP |  Former finance minister Elyes Fakhfakh was named prime minister-designate by Tunisia’s president late Monday, and will now face the difficult task of forming a cabinet within a month. Newly elected President Kais Saied “on Monday mandated Mr Elyes Fakhfakh with forming a government as soon as …

✅ First Tanzanian to score in the European CL ✅ First Tanzanian to score in the Europa League ✅ First Tanzanian to win the African CL ✅ First Tanzanian to play in the English Premier League London, United Kingdom | AFP |  Aston Villa completed the signing of Tanzanian striker …

UK puts visas into pitch for post-Brexit trade with Africa London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Boris Johnson told African leaders Monday that Britain would be more open to migrants from their continent after Brexit as he hosted a summit intended to boost trading ties. He also promised …