Dakhla, Western Sahara | AFP | In the Oued Eddahab desert in Western Sahara, Habiboullah Dlimi raises dairy and racing camels just like his ancestors used to — but with a little help from modern technology. His animals roam free in the desert and are milked as camels always have been, …
Read More »Former Benin leader returns from exile amid crisis
Cotonou, Benin | AFP | Benin’s former leader Thomas Boni Yayi flew home Wednesday but hopes of an immediate meeting with President Patrice Talon were quickly dashed amid a rolling political crisis. Boni Yayi had quit the West African nation in June ostensibly for medical treatment, after being held under de-facto …
Read More »Zimbabwean police beat opposition supporters after rally ban
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwean riot police fired tear gas and beat opposition supporters on Wednesday after barring a planned address by the main opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, AFP journalists said. Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the Harare headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) after the party …
Read More »EAC Heads of State Summit postponed to next year
Arusha, Tanzania | THE INDEPENDENT | The 21st Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Heads of State Summit initially scheduled for Saturday, 30th November, 2019 has been postponed to a later date in either January or February next year. EAC Secretary General Liberat Mfumukeko said Wednesday that the 21st Summit was postponed …
Read More »ADF rebels strike again, 10 killed in eastern DR Congo
Goma, DR Congo | AFP | Between 10 and 21 civilians were killed in two attacks by a notorious militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where government forces have vowed to root out armed groups, sources said Wednesday. Seven people were killed in the city of Beni and between …
Read More »Nigeria’s ruling party wins election in key oil state
Yenagoa, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s ruling party on Monday won the key oil-rich state of Bayelsa, the electoral body said, a sign of President Muhammadu Buhari’s growing influence in opposition strongholds. Residents cast their ballots in hotly-contested gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa and central Kogi state on Saturday in polls marred …
Read More »Prominent Abiy critic Jawar says to stand in Ethiopia election
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Jawar Mohammed, a former ally turned foe of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, told AFP on Saturday he would join the race for a 2020 election to ensure that it is “free and fair”. Jawar, a media mogul and activist who was at …
Read More »Rwanda deports five, accuses them of illegal entry
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Five Ugandans who were being detained in Rwanda have been deported. They are Gilbert Beingana, Amos Tibesiga and Nicholas Tumwesigye, all residents of Kabale district. Others include are Ivan Nirinyiyimana and Beatha Nyiramuco, from Kisoro district. The five were arrested last week for illegal …
Read More »In desert dunes, electro fans rave about Tunisia tourism
Ong Jmal, Tunisia | AFP | Bass rhythms boom out across the Tunisian Sahara toward a herd of camels, lasers splash colours across the dunes and VIPs sip vodka in what was once a “Star Wars” movie set. The Dunes Electronique music festival, launched in 2014, was revived last weekend on …
Read More »24 Mali soldiers and 17 jihadists die in clashes in east
Bamako, Mali | AFP | Twenty-four Malian soldiers and 17 jihadists fighters were killed in clashes in the east of the country, the army said, as security in the west African nation deteriorates further. Mali and Niger forces were carrying out a joint operation when a patrol was attacked Monday by …
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