AFP Africa

Gabon claimed sovereignty over three islands in oil-rich waters Wednesday, telling the International Court of Justice the matter had already been settled by a 1974 treaty hotly disputed by Equatorial Guinea.The two west African nations have been squabbling over the 30-hectare (74-acre) island of Mbanie and two smaller low-lying islets, Cocotier and Conga, since the …

Gabon claims oil-rich islands in ICJ clash with E.GuineaWed, 02 Oct 2024 09:16:13 GMT Read More »

Africa has the fewest roads and cars of any region, and yet the largest ratio of vehicle deaths, caused by the usual suspects — unsafe habits, speeding and drinking — but also poor infrastructure, scant rescuers and old cars.As everywhere, speed, alcohol and not wearing a seat belt or helmet are among the main causes …

Africa roads among world’s deadliest despite few carsWed, 02 Oct 2024 06:26:59 GMT Read More »

For months after presumed jihadists attacked it in 2020, Kafolo in northern Ivory Coast resembled a ghost town.Four years later, it is flourishing again, thanks in part to a double-pronged government plan — boosting security on the one hand, tackling poverty and youth unemployment on the other.Fourteen soldiers were killed in the first assault in …

Ivory Coast employs troops, jobs to counter armed militantsWed, 02 Oct 2024 05:46:55 GMT Read More »

Come nightfall, gold-diggers, hawkers and prostitutes alike barrel into the bars of Kamituga in the eastern DR Congo, with some blaming the mining town’s nightlife for its growing mpox outbreak.”Life in Kamituga drives people to sin,” warned Bitama Sebuhuni, a prospector hospitalised after contracting the sometimes deadly viral disease during unprotected sex.Renowned for its goldmines, …

Prostitutes, prospectors drive spread in DR Congo mpox capitalWed, 02 Oct 2024 03:50:42 GMT Read More »

Two prominent Benin men linked to the country’s president and arrested last week on suspicion of planning a coup have been remanded into custody pending trial, one of their lawyers said.Olivier Boko, a businessman and longtime friend of President Patrice Talon, and Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, have been accused of soliciting the commander …

Two men close to Benin’s president jailed after alleged coup plotWed, 02 Oct 2024 02:13:13 GMT Read More »

At least 45 people died and “many” others were missing after two migrant boats sank off the coast of Djibouti, the UN’s migration agency said Tuesday.The disaster in the Red Sea off the east African nation was the latest to hit the perilous so-called Eastern Route for migrants from Africa.The boats had departed from Yemen …

45 dead after two migrant boats sink off DjiboutiTue, 01 Oct 2024 20:25:28 GMT Read More »

Kenyan lawmakers on Tuesday initiated a motion to impeach the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in an unprecedented political move portending an acrimonious fallout within the ruling party.The East African country’s politics has been in turmoil since March following deadly protests over a spiralling cost of living crisis and deeply unpopular tax hikes. Gachagua is accused of undermining …

Kenyan lawmarkers seek to impeach deputy presidentTue, 01 Oct 2024 16:11:03 GMT Read More »

A former doctor went on trial in Paris on Tuesday accused of genocide in Rwanda, the latest suspect to face justice in France three decades after the massacre of the African country’s Tutsi population by the Hutu majority.Eugene Rwamucyo, 65, is accused of aiding his country’s then authorities to disseminate anti-Tutsi propaganda and of participating …

Rwandan ex-doctor on trial in France accused of genocideTue, 01 Oct 2024 14:45:09 GMT Read More »

A lobbyist has detailed the seamy underside of France’s privileged post-colonial relationship with African nations known as “Francafrique”, claiming Parisian politics were long fuelled by bags stuffed with sub-Saharan cash.The late Jacques Chirac’s 1995 presidential election victory was boosted by “at least $10 million” from the leaders of Congo, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Zaire (now …

Lobbyist dishes dirt on France-Africa connectionTue, 01 Oct 2024 13:58:25 GMT Read More »

Rallies over economic hardship struggled to build momentum in Nigeria on Tuesday as the country battles its worst economic crisis in a generation. Police fired tear gas to break up small crowds in the capital Abuja, while turnout was low across the country.Dubbed the “National Day of Survival,” the demonstrations followed larger rallies in August, when …

Anger meets tear gas as Nigeria hardship protests fizzle outTue, 01 Oct 2024 13:26:06 GMT Read More »