Rebel officers in Gabon announced Wednesday they had seized power following disputed elections in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family has ruled the oil-rich state for more than 55 years, had been declared winner.The claimed takeover sparked condemnation from the African Union (AU) and alarm from Nigeria over “contagious autocracy” in a continent where …

Military coup in Gabon, president under house arrestWed, 30 Aug 2023 15:06:23 GMT Read More »

France condemned the toppling of Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba on Wednesday which could represent another setback for Paris in Africa where friendly governments have been falling in an “epidemic” of coups.France “condemns the military coup that is under way in Gabon”, government spokesman Olivier Veran told reporters in Paris after military officers announced on …

France condemns Gabon coup as another African ally fallsWed, 30 Aug 2023 12:49:05 GMT Read More »

Climate change threatens to exacerbate conflict in fragile nations across the globe and lead to increased deaths, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a report published Wednesday.While climate shocks alone may not trigger new unrest, the Washington-based IMF said, they “significantly worsen conflict, compounding fragility” such as hunger, poverty and displacement.By 2060, conflict deaths …

IMF warns climate shocks may increase conflict deathsWed, 30 Aug 2023 12:04:11 GMT Read More »

The graft-tainted former secretary-general of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) launched a new leftwing party on Wednesday ahead of general elections next year.Ace Magashule, 63, a close ally of ex-president Jacob Zuma, was kicked out of the ANC this year over corruption allegations but remains popular with parts of the left-leaning electorate. “We are …

S.Africa’s disgraced ANC leader forms new party ahead of voteWed, 30 Aug 2023 11:23:31 GMT Read More »

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose ouster has been announced by rebel officers, came to power in 2009, succeeding his father Omar, the country’s ruler for more than four decades.Prior to Wednesday’s dramatic announcement, Bongo’s spell in office was marked by disputed elections and a stroke that spurred rumours about his fitness for office and fuelled …

Ali Bongo, scion of Gabon’s ruling familyWed, 30 Aug 2023 09:32:38 GMT Read More »

The Global Fund announced Wednesday a deal with generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to significantly slash the price of a cutting-edge HIV drug, in a move it said would save lives.The Global Fund, a partnership set up in 2002 to battle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, said the agreement would make it possible to provide the advanced pill …

Global Fund secures deal to slash HIV treatment priceWed, 30 Aug 2023 09:14:56 GMT Read More »

Military officers announced on Wednesday overturning the government in Gabon, in an apparent coup targeting President Ali Bongo Ondimba who has been in power for 14 years and whose re-election was just announced.The status of Ali Bongo, whose family has ruled the oil-rich African country for over 55 years, was not immediately clear but the …

Army officers say toppled Gabon govtWed, 30 Aug 2023 08:34:38 GMT Read More »

A group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television Wednesday announcing they were “putting an end to the current regime” and scrapping official election results that had handed another term to veteran President Ali Bongo Ondimba.During the announcement, AFP journalists heard gunfire ring out in the Gabonese capital, Libreville. While announcing the cancellation of the vote …

Gabon army officers say election result cancelled, ‘regime’ endedWed, 30 Aug 2023 06:56:36 GMT Read More »

Oil companies are paying popular influencers to pump their gas on social media, sparking a backlash from some climate-conscious fans for promoting planet-warming fossil fuels among young people.Young online celebrities best known for posting about video games, their dogs or their holidays to millions of followers are also dropping in unexpected plugs for gasoline stations, …

Oil firms pay Insta, TikTok influencers for adsWed, 30 Aug 2023 06:31:52 GMT Read More »

Soon after Judy Kengo was sworn into office last year, the Kenyan legislator faced her first public test when a doctored photo of a lookalike kissing another woman surfaced online.The aim of the misleading photo, she says, was to force her to quit her position in the county assembly of Kwale, a staunchly conservative region …

Sex, lies and social media: Women face tough fight in African politicsWed, 30 Aug 2023 06:12:49 GMT Read More »