After cutting away the loose woollen threads from his loom, 28-year-old Senegalese weaver Seydina Oumar Cisse turns the roll to watch the tapestry gradually take shape before his eyes.Everything from the colours to the design is identical to the original work created by Senegalese artist Cheikh Diouf.”It’s very satisfying,” Cisse said, seeing the result of …

Senegal tapestry production finds new lease of lifeWed, 01 May 2024 05:26:37 GMT Read More »

Togo’s legislative election was “free, fair and transparent,” regional electoral observers said on Tuesday, a day after the small West African state voted for new lawmakers and regional deputies.Electoral authorities have yet to release initial results from Monday’s vote, which came after lawmakers passed a divisive constitutional reform that critics say will extend President Faure …

Regional observers say Togo legislative vote ‘free, fair’Tue, 30 Apr 2024 20:24:51 GMT Read More »

A UN-backed court on Tuesday announced it had issued an arrest warrant for the Central African Republic’s former president Francois Bozize over possible crimes against humanity committed by the military between 2009 and 2013.The alleged crimes include murder, enforced disappearance, torture, rape and other inhumane acts, according to the Special Criminal Court (CPS), a hybrid jurisdiction located …

UN-backed court issues warrant for Central African ex-leaderTue, 30 Apr 2024 19:22:59 GMT Read More »

Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday deployed the military to evacuate everyone living in flood-prone areas after 171 people were killed since March as torrential rains pound the country.Seasonal rains, amplified by the El Nino weather pattern, have devastated the East African nation, with floodwaters engulfing villages and threatening to unleash even more damage in …

Kenya’s Ruto orders evacuations after deadly floodsTue, 30 Apr 2024 16:21:49 GMT Read More »

Rwanda must end support for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and withdraw troops from its neighbour’s territory, French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday.”We argue for territorial integrity on the African continent as well” as in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Macron told a joint press conference with DRC President Felix …

Macron urges Rwanda to end support for Congo rebels, withdraw troopsTue, 30 Apr 2024 14:45:29 GMT Read More »

Togo’s legislative election should be considered “free, fair and transparent,” a regional electoral observation mission said on Tuesday, a day after the small West African state voted for new lawmakers and regional deputies.Electoral authorities have yet to release initial results from Monday’s dual vote which came after lawmakers passed a divisive constitutional reform that critics …

Regional observers says Togo legislative vote ‘free, fair’Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:50:13 GMT Read More »

Doors and locks smashed, power equipment stolen, no fuel, no food, water or electricity … welcome to what’s left of a UN base handed over to the Congolese police just weeks ago by peacekeepers in violence-wracked South Kivu province.The first phase of what the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government said would be an “ordered, responsible …

DR Congo police fend for themselves after peacekeepers quit UN baseTue, 30 Apr 2024 11:00:16 GMT Read More »

Kenyan President William Ruto convened a special cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss measures to tackle deadly floods that have killed nearly 170 people and displaced 185,000 others since March, his office said.Heavier than usual monsoon rains, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern, have devastated the East African country, engulfing villages and threatening to unleash …

Kenya’s Ruto convenes cabinet meeting over deadly floodsTue, 30 Apr 2024 10:00:36 GMT Read More »

The national phase of a months-long “inter-Malian dialogue” is set to begin in six days’ time, with the country’s military junta banking on the conclusions to bolster its increasingly contested legitimacy.Weakened by security and economic crises and criticised for their failure to transfer power back to civilians, Mali’s authorities have cracked down on mounting dissent, …

Mali’s junta unwavering despite dissentTue, 30 Apr 2024 05:49:07 GMT Read More »

Burkina Faso has suspended a swathe of international news organisations in recent days for airing accusations of an army massacre of civilians, a move sparking concern on Monday. Among those named are French newspaper Le Monde, British publication The Guardian, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) and French broadcaster TV5 Monde. They were suspended for reporting on a …

Burkina Faso suspends more foreign news media over massacre reportsMon, 29 Apr 2024 21:22:48 GMT Read More »