A delegation from West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc arrived in Niger on Saturday seeking a peaceful rather than military solution after senior army officers seized power in a coup.The delegation led by former Nigerian president Abdulsalami Abubakar flew into the capital early afternoon, a day after ECOWAS military chiefs announced they were ready to intervene to …

W.African mission lands in coup-hit Niger for talksSat, 19 Aug 2023 14:41:28 GMT Read More »

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is set to celebrate his 60th birthday on Monday away from the public eye, as challenges abound almost a quarter century after he ascended the throne.The monarch is credited with effectively maintaining stability in a volatile region — in part through suppressing criticism — as well as modernising the economy and …

Morocco king at 60: diplomacy a priority as inequalities persistSat, 19 Aug 2023 07:00:32 GMT Read More »

West African military chiefs said on Friday they were ready for an armed intervention in Niger after a coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum last month, but a diplomatic mission was possible over the weekend to keep talks open.The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last …

West Africa military chiefs ready to intervene after Niger coupSat, 19 Aug 2023 02:13:37 GMT Read More »

West African military chiefs said on Friday they were ready for an armed intervention in Niger after a coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum last month, but a diplomatic mission was possible over the weekend to keep talks open.The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last …

W.Africa military chiefs ready to intervene after Niger coupFri, 18 Aug 2023 21:07:31 GMT Read More »

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee on Friday said Liberia cannot move forward unless it prosecutes former war criminals, as survivors commemorated the anniversary of the peace accord that ended two brutal civil wars.No war criminals have been prosecuted within Liberia since the two civil wars — which left nearly 250,000 people dead, according to …

Liberian Nobel laureate condemns impunity on 20 years after peace accordsFri, 18 Aug 2023 17:28:49 GMT Read More »

Fighting between two rival generals has spread to cities in war-ravaged Sudan’s south, witnesses said Friday, raising concerns for hundreds of thousands who have fled violence in the Darfur region.The vast western region has seen some of the worst bloodshed since the conflict erupted on April 15 between the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan …

Fears for hundreds of thousands as Sudan war spreadsFri, 18 Aug 2023 17:17:20 GMT Read More »

West African military chiefs held a second day of talks in Ghana on Friday, preparing for a possible armed intervention in Niger after a coup there ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger after generals …

W.Africa military chiefs prepare possible Niger missionFri, 18 Aug 2023 14:37:03 GMT Read More »

Kenyan authorities have banned five churches including that of a suspected cult leader accused of inciting more than 400 of his followers to starve themselves to death, a government document said Friday. The registrar of societies said in a gazette notice that the licence of self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie’s Good News International Ministries was cancelled effective …

Kenya bans churches linked to cult deathsFri, 18 Aug 2023 11:53:41 GMT Read More »

More than three weeks after a military coup in Niger forced out a democratically elected government, the international community appears hopelessly divided on how to handle the new status quo, with fault lines appearing even among Western allies, analysts say.Former colonial master France remains steadfastly opposed to the new regime in Niamey while Russia, predictably, …

International community divided on Niger coup responseFri, 18 Aug 2023 11:39:24 GMT Read More »

Sevilla’s Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has become the latest big name to quit Europe for the riches of Saudi Arabia, signing for Al-Hilal the two teams announced on Friday. Bounou, who featured in this week’s UEFA Super Cup match against Manchester City,  is the second big signing for Al-Hilal this week, following the transfer of Neymar …

Sevilla goalkeeper Bounou joins Saudi club Al-HilalFri, 18 Aug 2023 10:05:00 GMT Read More »