AFP Africa

Handre Pollard was given the key fly-half role when South Africa named an experienced team on Tuesday to face Ireland in the first match of a two-Test series in Pretoria on Saturday.There had been speculation that the more creative but inconsistent goal-kicker Manie Libbok might get the nod for the highly anticipated clash of the …

Springboks choose Pollard at fly-half for Ireland TestTue, 02 Jul 2024 11:30:11 GMT Read More »

Kenyan police fired tear gas to scatter small crowds in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday, AFP reporters saw, after youth activists called for fresh protests following deadly violence during anti-tax hike demonstrations last month.Activists have stepped up their campaign against President William Ruto despite his announcement last week that he would not sign into law …

Kenya police fire tear gas at small rallies in capitalTue, 02 Jul 2024 09:54:31 GMT Read More »

Benin and Niger are locked in a growing diplomatic row that has damaged their economies and seen Niger’s military rulers switch off a key oil pipeline. Tensions rose after a coup in Niamey last year and the two countries are now in a tug of war over landlocked Niger’s export of oil via the Beninese coast …

What’s behind the dispute between Benin and Niger?Tue, 02 Jul 2024 08:26:14 GMT Read More »

Kenya was bracing on Tuesday for fresh protest action against the government after anti-tax hike demonstrations last month descended into violence that left dozens of people dead. Activists have stepped up their campaign against President William Ruto despite his announcement last week that he would not sign into law a controversial finance bill that triggered what …

Kenya braces for new protests after dozens killed in anti-tax demosTue, 02 Jul 2024 06:34:09 GMT Read More »

Mauritania’s incumbent President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has comfortably won re-election at the helm of the vast desert nation, seen as a rock of relative stability in Africa’s volatile Sahel region, officials said Monday. The former army chief won just over 56 percent of the vote, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said Monday, giving …

Mauritania, stable outlier in turbulent region, re-elects presidentMon, 01 Jul 2024 22:46:27 GMT Read More »

The death toll from multiple suicide bombings in the northeastern Nigerian town of Gwoza over the weekend has risen to 32, the country’s vice president Kashim Shettima said Monday.Saturday’s attacks involving female suicide bombers targeting a wedding, a hospital and a funeral was one of the worst in northeast Nigeria in years, a reminder of …

Nigeria weekend suicide bomb attack toll climbs to 32Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:02:44 GMT Read More »

Sudanese mother of four Hoda Ahmed has been running with her family for over a year. But every time she tries to outrun the war between Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces, it catches up to her.She had only just arrived at Sinja, the capital of the southeastern state of Sennar — having already fled fighting further …

‘War keeps following us’: Sudanese flee again as frontline moves southMon, 01 Jul 2024 17:47:48 GMT Read More »

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, who has won a second term at the helm of the vast West African nation, ran on the promise of being a safe pair of hands in the relatively stable outlier in the volatile Sahel region. The former army chief — who was the overwhelming favourite to win — …

Ex-security boss turned president: Mauritania’s GhazouaniMon, 01 Jul 2024 16:58:02 GMT Read More »

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new coalition government heralds a pragmatic shift to the centre right as opposition parties take control of more than a third of ministries, bringing hope for better governance but also cohesion fears.  The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed since the advent of democracy in 1994, keeps 20 of …

New S.Africa unity government makes pragmatic bid to deliver on promisesMon, 01 Jul 2024 14:10:45 GMT Read More »

Mauritania’s incumbent President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has comfortably won re-election with 56.12 percent of the vote, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said Monday.Victory gives the former army chief a second term as head of the vast desert country, seen as a rock of relative stability in Africa’s volatile Sahel region and set …

Mauritania’s President Ghazouani wins re-electionMon, 01 Jul 2024 13:44:05 GMT Read More »