Internet access was cut and a nightly curfew announced in Gabon Saturday as polling stations closed in triple election, in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, scion of a family that has ruled for 55 years, sought victory over a newly united opposition.Bongo and his main rival Albert Ondo Ossa lead a race of 14 candidates vying …

Gabon’s Bongo seeks third term in nationwide pollSat, 26 Aug 2023 18:13:40 GMT Read More »

Amane Beriso Shankule led an Ethiopian 1-2 as she won the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships on Saturday.Shankule, whose victory at last year’s Valencia marathon put her third on the world all-time list, timed 2hr 24min 23sec on the streets of Budapest.Defending champion Gotytom Gebreslase claimed silver, 11sec behind, with Morocco’s Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi taking …

Shankule leads Ethiopian 1-2 in world women’s marathonSat, 26 Aug 2023 08:40:54 GMT Read More »

Voters in Gabon were called to the polls on Saturday for a triple election in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, scion of a family that has ruled for 55 years, is seeking victory over a belatedly-united opposition.Bongo and main rival Albert Ondo Ossa lead a race of 14 candidates vying for the top job in …

Gabon’s Bongo aims for third term in nationwide pollSat, 26 Aug 2023 04:00:55 GMT Read More »

Niger’s military rulers, who seized control of the government in July, gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, Niamey’s foreign ministry said in a statement Friday.Relations between the new regime in Niamey and several Western powers, as well as the West African bloc ECOWAS, have deteriorated since the coup on July 26.France’s …

Niger’s military rulers order French ambassador outSat, 26 Aug 2023 01:56:37 GMT Read More »

Reigning champions South Africa completed their World Cup preparations with a record 35-7 rout of 14-man New Zealand as the All Blacks suffered their all-time heaviest margin of defeat on Friday.The Springboks scored five tries, through captain Siya Kolisi, wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, hooker Malcolm Marx and replacements Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith — all converted …

South Africa send New Zealand crashing to record defeatFri, 25 Aug 2023 22:25:10 GMT Read More »

Reigning champions South Africa completed their World Cup preparations with a record 35-7 rout of 14-man New Zealand as the All Blacks suffered their all-time heaviest margin of defeat on Friday.The Springboks scored five tries, through captain Siya Kolisi, wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, hooker Malcolm Marx and replacements Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith — all converted …

South Africa send New Zealand crashing to record defeatFri, 25 Aug 2023 21:05:24 GMT Read More »

Foreign poll observers on Friday said Zimbabwe’s presidential and legislative elections failed to conform to regional and international standards, placing in doubt the credibility of the tense vote.Zimbabweans went to the ballot box on Wednesday and Thursday in polling marred by delays. The vote took place against a backdrop of discontent at Zimbabwe’s economic crisis.Regional …

Zimbabwe vote observers find election ‘fell short’ of standardsFri, 25 Aug 2023 20:20:30 GMT Read More »

UN experts have painted a grim picture of the situation in Mali, alleging that sexual violence and other rights abuses are being used to spread terror, as the retreat of UN peacekeepers has raised fears of intensified civilian suffering.”Violence against women and girls and conflict-related sexual violence remains prevalent in Mali,” the experts, named by …

Mali civilians increasingly at risk, UN experts warnFri, 25 Aug 2023 19:56:44 GMT Read More »

West Africa’s bloc ECOWAS on Friday told Niger’s coup leaders it was “not too late” to reconsider their position as they wrangle over a return to civilian rule with the option of military force still “very much on the table”.Generals who ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in a July 26 rebellion have called for a three-year …

W.Africa bloc tells Niger coup chiefs ‘not too late’Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:16:38 GMT Read More »