Violence marred the close of Liberian President George Weah’s re-election campaign on Sunday, with scuffles between his supporters and members of the opposition breaking out during a parade in capital Monrovia, an AFP journalist saw.  No official toll was available on Sunday evening, but AFP counted at least five men with injuries, some with large …

Clashes erupt at Liberian president’s re-election paradeMon, 09 Oct 2023 05:06:44 GMT Read More »

Tens of thousands of Oromos gathered Sunday at a lake near the Ethiopian capital for a once-banned celebration that today doubles as a sounding board for political and ethnic demands.Draped in traditional colours including the red, white and black of the Oromo flag, crowds descended on the shores of Lake Hora Arsadi, 50 kilometres (30 …

Ethiopia’s Oromo people celebrate festival once deniedSun, 08 Oct 2023 17:26:20 GMT Read More »

Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum shattered the men’s world record to win Sunday’s Chicago Marathon in two hours and 35 seconds while Dutch runner Sifan Hassan won in the second-fastest women’s time in history.Kiptum crushed the old world record of 2:01:09 set by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge in winning the 2022 Berlin Marathon.”I feel so happy,” Kiptum said. …

Kenyan Kiptum sets world record to win Chicago MarathonSun, 08 Oct 2023 16:10:07 GMT Read More »

Osman Fofana, a 17-year-old student in Liberia’s capital Monrovia, could not contain his excitement as he walked onto a new football field in his slum community of Clara Town.”It’s astonishing”, he said at a recent school gathering at a sports complex supported by President George Weah’s government.”We, the youth, pray that George Weah will be …

On Liberia’s community football pitches, Weah still a starSun, 08 Oct 2023 06:23:29 GMT Read More »

DR Congo’s leader Felix Tshisekedi has submitted his candidacy for a second term in office, joining a crowded list of presidential hopefuls including opposition heavyweights and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.The turbulent central African nation, a vast and impoverished country of about 100 million people, is due to hold parliamentary and presidential votes on December …

DR Congo leader files bid for re-election amid crowded raceSun, 08 Oct 2023 05:17:36 GMT Read More »

Rival armed groups have clashed in DR Congo’s east killing five civilians and forcing more than 50,000 to flee, the United Nations said Saturday, after a six-month lull in fighting.Clashes have erupted between local armed groups and the M23 rebel movement in North Kivu province, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs …

Fighting flares in DR Congo forcing 50,000 to fleeSat, 07 Oct 2023 17:57:08 GMT Read More »

South Africa rewrote the record books on Saturday as they posted the highest ever World Cup total of 428 while Aiden Markram clubbed the fastest tournament century in just 49 balls in a 102-run victory over Sri Lanka.The Proteas bettered the previous World Cup high of 417 made by Australia against Afghanistan at Perth in …

Markram stars as record-setting South Africa defeat Sri LankaSat, 07 Oct 2023 17:25:25 GMT Read More »

How do you rebuild and earthquake-proof a centuries-old Moroccan mountain village, at speed, without sacrificing its traditional architecture?That’s a key challenge facing the reconstruction of the country’s isolated “douars”, which were devastated by a strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake last month.The September 8 quake, which killed around 3,000 people and injured 5,600, according to the latest official …

Traditional methods urged for Morocco quake rebuildSat, 07 Oct 2023 09:42:26 GMT Read More »

From Liberia’s swampy slums to superstar footballer and national president, George Weah is running for a second term in elections on Tuesday, defending a controversial record in office and facing determined opposition.His election victory in 2017 sparked high hopes of change in one of the least developed countries on the planet, still reeling from civil …

George Weah: from poverty to football hero and Liberia presidentSat, 07 Oct 2023 05:42:11 GMT Read More »

With his broken surfboard pointed skywards, a child steps out into the sea. In recent years, the fishing village of Robertsport has become a popular spot for lovers of the sport from Liberia and beyond.Experienced surfers give lessons to young people in this town in the southwest of the country, teaching them about the ocean, swimming …

Welcome to Robertsport, Liberia’s surfing paradiseSat, 07 Oct 2023 01:37:33 GMT Read More »