Madagascar will hold the first round of its presidential elections on Thursday, with the run-up to the vote marred by near daily opposition demonstrations.Here are five things to know about the large Indian Ocean island, one of the world’s poorest countries despite vast natural resources.- Cyclones and biodiversity –Â Madagascar is the fourth largest island in …
With smooth features and thick black hair, Andry Rajoelina might at first sight appear like a political novice. But looks are deceiving. Nicknamed “the disc jockey”, Madagascar’s outgoing President has held a firm hold on power for years and is barrelling towards re-election on November 16, despite protests and legal challenges.  Only months ago, the man who …
Voters in Madagascar head to the polls on Thursday for the first round of a tense presidential election after weeks of opposition protests demanding a “fair and equitable” vote.Outgoing President Andry Rajoelina, 49, is squaring off against 12 other candidates vying to take the reins of the Indian Ocean island nation, which has a long …
Madagascar votes for president amid political crisisMon, 13 Nov 2023 06:22:04 GMT Read More »
A crowd has gathered to see off Rose, a loggerhead sea turtle, who labours across the Tunisian sand to rejoin the waters of the Mediterranean.For the last month, Rose has been recovering at the First Aid Sea Turtle Center in the coastal city of Sfax after she was ensnared in a fishing net.The facility, one …
Endangered sea turtles get second life at Tunisian centreMon, 13 Nov 2023 03:35:52 GMT Read More »
The latest negotiations towards a global treaty to combat plastic pollution open in Nairobi on Monday, with tensions expected as nations tussle over what should be included in the pact.Some 175 countries agreed last year to conclude by 2024 a UN treaty to combat the plastic blighting oceans, floating in the atmosphere, and infiltrating the …
Nations to negotiate terms of plastics treaty in NairobiMon, 13 Nov 2023 01:47:22 GMT Read More »
Ivory Coast’s former prime minister Guillaume Soro, sentenced to life in prison for undermining national security, on Sunday said he was ending his self-imposed exile that began in 2019.Soro was previously right-hand man to President Alassane Ouattara, but the pair fell out in 2019, with the head of state accusing him of fomenting a “civilian …
Ivory Coast ex-PM Guillaume Soro says ending exileSun, 12 Nov 2023 20:29:52 GMT Read More »
South African police fired stun grenades and water cannons in Cape Town on Sunday to quell clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.A prayer for Israel and the Hamas hostages held in Gaza was to be held in the early afternoon in an affluent area of Cape Town on the Atlantic coast, a popular place for …
Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups clash in S. AfricaSun, 12 Nov 2023 15:11:14 GMT Read More »
Madagascar’s outgoing president Andry Rajoelina expressed little doubt as he spoke to AFP about his predictions for the country’s upcoming elections.”I’m going to win, that’s for sure, and in the first round,” said the leader, who will seek re-election on Thursday and is banking on popular support and God to get him over the line.Voters …
Mali’s army drove closer on Saturday to the town of Kidal clashing with Tuareg separatist and rebel groups in what could signal the start of fighting for the strategically important northern crossroads.Since seizing power in a coup in 2020 the African country’s military rulers have made a priority of re-establishing sovereignty over all regions and …
Police fired tear gas on Saturday to disperse supporters of Madagascar’s opposition and detained 11 ahead of a presidential election on November 16.Several hundred people, mostly youths, gathered in the centre of the capital Antananarivo in  protest at what the opposition calls an “institutional coup” to favour the sitting president.AFP reporters said they put up …
Madagascar police break up new opposition protestSat, 11 Nov 2023 19:28:47 GMT Read More »
