Moscow is vying for greater influence in Niger as the military junta moves to push out the United States, Russia’s latest swoop in the region as the West’s military presence thins.The Niger military announced at the weekend it was breaking off an agreement with the United States “with immediate effect”, although the consequences remain unclear.Niger …

Russia extends Africa ambition to Niger as junta pushes USFri, 22 Mar 2024 12:58:50 GMT Read More »

Kenyan government officials ignored “credible reports” that could have prevented the death of more than 400 suspected doomsday cult members, a state-funded human rights watchdog said on Friday. The piles of human remains were discovered in April 2023 in Shakahola forest, a vast bushland that lies inland from the Indian Ocean town of Malindi.The government is …

Kenyan officials ‘abdicated duty’ in cult murders: rights watchdogFri, 22 Mar 2024 11:22:45 GMT Read More »

Niger said 23 of its soldiers were killed in a “terrorist” ambush near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali in a western region prone to jihadist attacks.Niger is ruled by military leaders who seized power in a July coup, citing a worsening security situation as justification for the power grab.But jihadist violence that had …

Niger says 23 soldiers killed in ‘terrorist’ ambushFri, 22 Mar 2024 09:42:01 GMT Read More »

Uganda’s veteran leader, Yoweri Museveni, has appointed his son to head the country’s defence forces, the East African nation’s government said, capping a dizzying rise for Muhoozi Kainerugaba.The announcement by the defence ministry late on Thursday followed years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media outbursts have sparked diplomatic uproars, was being groomed for the …

Uganda’s President Museveni promotes son to military chiefFri, 22 Mar 2024 09:25:24 GMT Read More »

Malaysia on Friday decided against hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of the cost, the government said, in a fresh blow to an event seen as outdated by some.The decision, made at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, follows the withdrawal of the Australian state of Victoria last year.”The Ministry of Youth …

Malaysia says no to hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games over costFri, 22 Mar 2024 07:26:21 GMT Read More »

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, has threatened to invade Kenya, vowed to defend Russia from Western “imperialists” and even mocked his authoritarian father in public.But he has never paid a price for his social media tirades, bolstering his reputation as the virtually untouchable successor to one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers, experts …

Muhoozi Kainerugaba: Uganda’s mercurial heir apparentFri, 22 Mar 2024 07:22:14 GMT Read More »

Uganda’s veteran leader Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son to head the country’s defence forces, the East African nation’s government said, capping a dizzying rise for Muhoozi Kainerugaba.The announcement by the defence ministry late Thursday followed years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media outbursts have sparked diplomatic uproars, was being groomed for the top …

Uganda’s President Museveni promotes son to army chiefFri, 22 Mar 2024 06:33:43 GMT Read More »

Senegal’s fast-tracked presidential campaign period wraps up Friday, having put candidates through the unprecedented endurance test of running for high office during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.For the first time in the Muslim-majority West African nation, presidential hopefuls have had to forego food and drink while traversing the country in an attempt to win …

Ramadan puts Senegal presidential candidates to the testFri, 22 Mar 2024 06:25:45 GMT Read More »

A nationwide doctors’ strike in Kenya on Thursday paralysed health services at some government-run hospitals which were already suffering due to a lack of medicines and equipment.The medics are taking the action, now in its second week, to demand an increase in pay and better working conditions, their union said. Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists …

Doctors’ strike hits Kenyan government-run hospitalsThu, 21 Mar 2024 17:34:27 GMT Read More »

Surrounded by lush mangrove forests, Julien Arfang Diatta shows the flooded road leading to his village on Senegal’s tiny island of Kailo.Encroaching water levels caused by climate change drive fears that Kailo and surrounding islands in southern Senegal could disappear in a matter of years. Yet the 18 candidates running for president on Sunday have largely …

Climate urgency takes back seat in Senegal electionThu, 21 Mar 2024 16:24:47 GMT Read More »