Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who led the ousting of Robert Mugabe, returned home Saturday, four months after he was airlifted to China for medical care, state media reported. Chiwenga, 63, who is seen as a major power-broker in Zimbabwean politics, had been in and …
Read More »Eritreans wait in vain for change after peace with Ethiopia
Asmara, Eritrea | AFP | Eritrean taxi driver Mihreteab recalls brimming with hope in July 2018 when his country reached a peace agreement with neighbour and longtime foe Ethiopia. But a year and a half later, that hope has given way to disenchantment. “I don’t see any changes so far. People …
Read More »Algerians protest against December presidential poll
Algiers, Algeria | AFP | Hundreds of Algerians took to the streets of the capital Thursday to protest against next month’s presidential election, despite a crackdown during which dozens were arrested. Around 300 protesters chanted “We will have freedom!” and “We will not retreat!” and banged on pots as motorists showed …
Read More »Camel herding in Western Sahara a passion with pedigree
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 …
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