AFRICA

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP |  Some Kenyans braced long queues, others rain and chilly weather, but one woman gave birth Tuesday while in line to vote in general elections and still made sure to vote. A heavily pregnant Paulina Chemanang was feeling fine as she left to vote early at …

Kabul, Afghanistan | AFP | The Taliban — which banned poppy cultivation when it ruled Afghanistan — now appears to wield significant control over the war-torn country’s heroin production line, providing insurgents with billions of dollars, officials have told AFP. In 2016 Afghanistan, which produces 80 percent of the world’s …

TSHIKAPA, DR Congo | AFP |“Before, we were able to go to work in any mine to dig for diamonds. But today, we’re all afraid of dying,” artisanal miner Banayi Ilunga says grimly. Diamonds are the blessing of Kasai, a vast region of five provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenyans began voting Tuesday in general elections headlined by a too-close-to-call battle between incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and his rival Raila Odinga, sparking fears of violence in east Africa’s richest economy. Long lines of voters snaked outside of polling stations around the country, many of them camping …

#ElectionsKE: Kenyans to vote in tight, tense elections Nairobi, Kenya | AFP |  Kenyans vote Tuesday in general elections headlined by a too-close-to-call battle between incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and his rival Raila Odinga, sparking fears of violence in east Africa’s richest economy. Tensions soared in the last days of the …

Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Twelve people were killed Monday by stray gunfire in a wave of violence in Kinshasa, a spokesman for the national police said, accusing a political-religious sect opposed to President Joseph Kabila. The toll was a provisional estimate, Pierrot Rombaut Mwanamputu said in an emergency broadcast …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian protesters demanded Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari, receiving treatment in London for an undisclosed ailment for more than three months, either return or resign. Buhari left for the British capital on May 7 on what is his latest medical trip, appointing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo …

Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | A parliamentary vote of no confidence in South African President Jacob Zuma will be held by secret ballot, it was announced Monday, in a move that could encourage some ANC lawmakers to choose to oust him. The vote to be held Tuesday has become …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenyan President  Uhuru Kenyatta urged peace Monday on the eve of tense elections in which his battle with rival Raila Odinga is seen as too close to call. Kenyatta, 55, who is seeking a second and final term in office, gave a televised speech in a …

Juba, South Sudan | AFP | South Sudan government forces said Monday they had seized the rebel stronghold of Pagak near the Ethiopian border, after weeks of heavy fighting that forced thousands to flee the region. Military spokesman Dickson Gatluak said rebel forces loyal to exiled former deputy president Riek Machar …