AFP Africa

With a president who owes his success to his mentor-turned-prime minister Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s political situation was unusual even before last weekend’s snap parliamentary polls.Now, a projected legislative landslide masterminded by the highly influential and charismatic Sonko has amplified questions over what leadership role he should take in the West African country.Sonko propelled President Bassirou Diomaye …

Senegal election fans questions over influential PM’s future roleThu, 21 Nov 2024 12:42:51 GMT Read More »

Kenya deployed a heavy police presence Thursday ahead of President William Ruto’s state of the nation speech, which comes as he faces criticism over abductions, corruption and unpopular economic policies.There were some calls online to protest Ruto’s speech to parliament. But the energy behind the mass demonstrations between June and August, sparked by proposed tax rises, …

Tight security as Kenya’s embattled Ruto to address nationThu, 21 Nov 2024 10:13:42 GMT Read More »

The tooth of DR Congo’s independence hero Patrice Lumumba, said to be kept in a mausoleum which was vandalised earlier this week, is “secure”, the interior minister said Thursday. “The relic has been secured and it is protected,” Jacquemain Shabani said in a recorded statement sent to AFP.The minister did not specify where the gold-capped tooth …

Tooth of Congolese independence hero ‘secure’ after vandalismThu, 21 Nov 2024 09:58:23 GMT Read More »

Will Namibia be the next country in southern Africa to kick out a political party in power since independence?In a year that has proven fatal for many ruling parties across the region, Namibia’s election on November 27 is set to be a tight contest for the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). In the last …

Namibia’s liberation-era party — the next to fall?Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:21:44 GMT Read More »

She was, for a while, the oldest known member of the human family. Fifty years after the discovery of Lucy in Ethiopia, the remarkable remains continue to yield theories and questions.In a non-descript room in the National Museum of Ethiopia, the 3.18-million-year-old bones are delicately removed from a safe and placed on a long table. They …

Human ancestor Lucy still has secrets 50 years after discoveryThu, 21 Nov 2024 02:26:33 GMT Read More »

The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is suspected of a second rape, police said Wednesday, two days after his arrest over another allegation of sexual assault.Born of a relationship before Mette-Marit’s marriage to heir Prince Haakon, Marius Borg Hoiby was arrested on Monday evening on suspicion of rape. Since the investigation unearthed a second …

Arrested son of Norwegian princess suspected of second rapeWed, 20 Nov 2024 21:50:15 GMT Read More »

Mali’s junta chief on Wednesday sacked civilian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and the government, days after Maiga issued a rare criticism of the military rulers.The West African country, plagued by jihadist and separatist violence, has been led by the military since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.Maiga, who was appointed by the military after …

Mali junta chief sacks PM and governmentWed, 20 Nov 2024 20:37:48 GMT Read More »

Uganda faced international condemnation as veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared in a military court on Wednesday following his apparent abduction from neighbouring Kenya.The United Nations and multiple rights groups expressed concern over Kenya’s role in his extradition and Uganda’s crackdown on the opposition.Besigye, 68, a medical doctor and longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni, …

‘Kidnapped’ Uganda opposition figure appears in military courtWed, 20 Nov 2024 20:29:49 GMT Read More »

Football fans in Sudan, a country torn apart by war, are savouring a rare moment of pride after the national team qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.The feat, achieved at the expense of Ghana, one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses, comes despite the team having to play all their matches abroad and the …

‘Rare joy’ as war-hit Sudan reaches African football showpieceWed, 20 Nov 2024 15:57:10 GMT Read More »

Veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared in a military court in Kampala on Wednesday accused of seeking to compromise national security, after his reported abduction in neighbouring Kenya at the weekend.The manner of Besigye’s detention has caused an uproar, with concerns over Kenya’s role and the heightened government crackdown on Uganda’s opposition.Besigye, 68, a medical …

Uganda opposition figure Besigye appears in military courtWed, 20 Nov 2024 15:01:19 GMT Read More »