Under the watchful eye of the international community, Senegal — often held up as a bastion of stability in coup-hit West Africa — is preparing for a potentially fraught presidential election.No clear frontrunner has yet emerged in the February 25 vote, with an unprecedented 20 candidates in the running including an imprisoned anti-establishment contender.Fears of …

A month to go, Senegal election still anyone’s gameMon, 29 Jan 2024 17:53:37 GMT Read More »

By the light of the moon and a few spotlights, a figure almost completely obscured by bark and leaves makes his way through the frenzied crowd.Drums, whistles and shouts announce his entrance as he strides forward with machetes to hand.In the eastern town of Janjanbureh, on an island in the Gambia River, the annual festival …

Gambian festival revitalises tradition of initiatory riteMon, 29 Jan 2024 15:25:20 GMT Read More »

Indian Ocean naval forces said Monday they had freed two fishing vessels hijacked separately by Somali pirates, with Indian sailors rescuing an Iranian boat and commandos from the Seychelles releasing a Sri Lankan trawler.The hijackings off Somalia have fuelled concerns about a resurgence of Indian Ocean raids by opportunistic pirates, coming on top of a separate …

Indian Ocean naval forces rescue two boats from Somali piratesMon, 29 Jan 2024 13:26:43 GMT Read More »

African leaders gathered at a Rome summit on Monday to hear Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s much-hyped plan for the continent, aimed at transforming Italy into an energy hub — and stopping migration.Far-right leader Meloni, who came to power in 2022 on an anti-migrant ticket, has vowed to reshape relations with African countries by taking a …

Italy reveals energy, migration plan at Africa summitMon, 29 Jan 2024 12:26:05 GMT Read More »

African leaders gathered at a Rome summit Monday where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will unveil her much-hyped plan for the continent, aimed at transforming Italy into an energy hub and stopping migration.Far-right leader Meloni, who came to power in 2022 on an anti-migrant ticket, has vowed to reshape relations with African countries by taking a …

Italy unveils energy, migration plan to African leadersMon, 29 Jan 2024 09:57:36 GMT Read More »

The injured Mohamed Salah will not get the chance to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after his Egypt side were knocked out of the competition on Sunday in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Guinea progressed to the last eight.Record-seven time champions Egypt lost 8-7 on penalties against …

Egypt’s AFCON hopes dashed by DR Congo, Guinea reach quarter-finalsSun, 28 Jan 2024 23:58:22 GMT Read More »

The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Sunday announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states.The leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement saying it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the Economic Community of West African States “without …

Burkina, Mali, Niger quit West African bloc ECOWASSun, 28 Jan 2024 17:53:53 GMT Read More »

Ademola Lookman scored both goals as Nigeria defeated old rivals Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday to march on to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.The Nigerians had an early Semi Ajayi goal disallowed following a VAR review in this last-16 clash before the constant pressing and bullying of the Cameroon defence by Victor Osimhen …

Lookman double takes Nigeria past Cameroon and into AFCON quartersSat, 27 Jan 2024 22:10:31 GMT Read More »

Several hundred people marched in Nairobi on Saturday to protest against femicide in Kenya where over a dozen women have been killed this month in cases that shocked the nation. The campaigners took to the streets of the capital holding placards that read “Being a woman should not be a death sentence”, “Patriarchy kills” while others …

Hundreds march against gender violence in KenyaSat, 27 Jan 2024 14:14:31 GMT Read More »

Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane were perhaps the most likely bets to be top marksman at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, but the entirely unexpected name leading the scorers’ charts in Ivory Coast has more goals than all of them combined.Emilio Nsue, the captain of unfancied Equatorial Guinea, goes into a last-16 …

Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue outshining star names at Cup of NationsSat, 27 Jan 2024 04:36:21 GMT Read More »