Around 38 percent of Malian voters took part in a referendum on a new constitution drawn up by the ruling junta, officials said Wednesday.The turnout was announced by the head of the electoral authority, Moustapha Cisse, who said ballots in nearly all polling stations had now been counted.Sunday’s referendum was a delayed step towards a …

Turnout 38 percent for Mali constitution voteWed, 21 Jun 2023 14:40:29 GMT Read More »

Kenya’s trade minister is at the centre of a firestorm over a series of derogatory remarks against a leading media outlet, including calling its journalists “prostitutes”.The opposition and journalist associations have called for Moses Kuria to be censured over his outbursts, saying he was unfit to hold public office.The furore erupted when Kuria went on …

Kenya minister under fire over diatribe against media groupWed, 21 Jun 2023 09:50:13 GMT Read More »

The African Union’s mission in Somalia said Wednesday it had begun reducing troop numbers in line with plans to eventually hand over security to the troubled country’s national army.”The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia has started to drawdown in compliance with (UN Resolutions) which mandate ATMIS to drawdown 2,000 soldiers by the end of June 2023,” …

AU force in Somalia starts reducing troop numbersWed, 21 Jun 2023 09:30:56 GMT Read More »

Five-time champions Cameroon will be among 16 teams chasing nine finals places in the last round of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying during September. While only Egypt, with a record seven titles, have been more successful in the continental showpiece, Cameroon must win at home against Burundi to be certain of qualifying.A draw would leave …

Africa Cup of Nations qualifying: Five talking pointsWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:58:29 GMT Read More »

African countries are casting a worried eye as the West pumps aid into Ukraine, sensing a retreat in pledges to help their development and fight climate change.According to the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), assistance for Ukraine in 2022 shot up to $16 billion, compared to less than a billion a year …

African concerns mount as West pours aid into UkraineWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:43:01 GMT Read More »

On stage, Julius Maada Bio dances to an afrobeats hit, pacing with a slightly off-rhythm bounce as supporters in his party’s token green cheer.The scene, like others captured in widely shared videos from campaign rallies, appears unnatural for the quiet former putschist, now leading Sierra Leone as an elected civilian.But Bio, 59, who on Saturday …

SLeone’s ex-soldier turned progressive champion vying for second termWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:21:08 GMT Read More »

Hawa used to relish competing with her cousin for top marks in school until, eight months ago, she fell pregnant.”We studied hard together,” the slight 18-year-old told AFP. “I was one of the top girls in the class.”In Sierra Leone, where pregnant girls have been allowed in classrooms since a ban was lifted in 2020, …

Sierra Leone’s battle to keep pregnant girls in schoolWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:16:02 GMT Read More »

The makers of Guurdoon, the first app for singles in Somalia, are hoping to help their fellow citizens find love in a nation with no shortage of challenges.Just don’t call it a dating app.Guurdoon (“seeking marriage” in English) was launched in October last year by the Guryosamo family development centre, whose chairman Ahmed Abshir Geedi sees the …

Somalis search for love online, but don’t call it datingWed, 21 Jun 2023 06:07:59 GMT Read More »

A new, young generation of Moroccan filmmakers last month stepped into the limelight to make its debut at France’s Cannes Film Festival — snatching three prestigious awards.”The Moroccan films screened at Cannes represent some of the best in the history of cinema in Morocco,” said film critic Bilal Marmid, who covered the two-week festival on …

New generation of Moroccan filmmakers shines at CannesWed, 21 Jun 2023 01:49:40 GMT Read More »

The head of the UN’s refugee agency on Tuesday urged Sudan’s neighbours to keep their borders open despite security worries as the number of people fleeing the conflict topped 500,000, while those internally displaced climbed to two million.Filippo Grandi warned in an interview with AFP that the two-month-old war threatened to spread insecurity in the …

UN urges Sudan neighbours to keep borders open as exodus tops 500,000Tue, 20 Jun 2023 22:42:50 GMT Read More »