AFP Africa

The world cannot look to UN peacekeepers as a way of stopping wars, whether in Gaza or other active conflict zones, the department chief told AFP, citing the famous Blue Helmets’ inherent limitations.A mission in the occupied Palestinian territories, for example, is only “very, very, very hypothetical,” Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said.The …

Don’t expect UN peacekeepers to stop wars, chief tells AFPFri, 24 May 2024 02:59:41 GMT Read More »

A diplomatic upgrade and a surprise appearance by Barack Obama: US President Joe Biden pulled out the stops as he hosted Kenyan counterpart William Ruto for a lavish state visit aimed at competing with Russia and China for influence in Africa.At a gala dinner in a large pavilion set up on the White House lawn, …

Biden woos Kenya’s Ruto with major ally status on state visitFri, 24 May 2024 02:41:22 GMT Read More »

South African parties are gearing up for a final boisterous weekend of stadium rallies ahead of what is expected to be the most tightly contested general election in decades.The African National Congress of President Cyril Ramaphosa, 71, plans to fill a 90,000-seat Johannesburg stadium with yellow-clad supporters Saturday, in a bid to reclaim lost support …

S. African vote rivals stage last rallies with ANC majority in balanceFri, 24 May 2024 02:17:14 GMT Read More »

General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who has led Chad’s military junta for three years, was sworn in as president on Thursday after an election victory contested by the opposition.Deby officially won 61 percent of the May 6 vote that international NGOs said was neither credible nor free and which his main rival called a “masquerade”.Taking …

Ex-junta chief sworn in as Chad’s elected presidentThu, 23 May 2024 21:03:26 GMT Read More »

Africa’s vast potential in the global fight against climate change is at risk due to the heavy burden of debt and lack of international investment, Kenyan President William Ruto said Thursday.On a state visit to Washington, Ruto highlighted how Kenya already generates some 90 percent of energy from renewables and said the rest of Africa …

Kenyan president warns debt clouds Africa climate potentialThu, 23 May 2024 20:36:51 GMT Read More »

US President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet Thursday for his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto, unveiling plans during a lavish state visit to name Kenya a major non-NATO ally as Washington competes for influence on the continent against Moscow and Beijing.Kenya will become the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive the designation, which is …

Biden woos Kenya’s Ruto with state visit, major ally statusThu, 23 May 2024 17:34:41 GMT Read More »

President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet Thursday for his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto, who was making the first state visit to Washington by an African leader in more than 15 years at a time when the United States is losing ground on the continent to China and Russia.In a step to tighten ties …

Biden woos Kenya’s Ruto with state visitThu, 23 May 2024 15:23:56 GMT Read More »

Benin has blocked crossings of the river that marks the border with neighbouring Niger, sources told AFP on Thursday, in an escalation of tensions since the military seized power in Niamey last July.Earlier this year Benin announced it was reopening its side of the border, which was shut following the coup.It remained officially closed on …

Benin closes river crossing with Niger in escalating trade tensionsThu, 23 May 2024 15:19:08 GMT Read More »

Benin has blocked border crossings to Niger across the river between the neighbours, sources told AFP on Thursday, in an escalation of tensions since the military seized power in Niamey last July. Benin and Niger have engaged in increasing tit-for-tat accusations in recent weeks over the movement of goods, despite West African bloc ECOWAS in February …

Benin closes river crossing with Niger in escalating trade tensionsThu, 23 May 2024 11:07:24 GMT Read More »

US President Joe Biden is rolling out the red carpet Thursday for his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto with a diplomacy-heavy state visit and a lavish White House dinner with all the trimmings.It is the first state visit to Washington by an African leader in more than 15 years. As Biden seeks to counter geopolitical headwinds across …

Biden woos Kenya’s President Ruto with key state visitThu, 23 May 2024 10:21:31 GMT Read More »