AFP Africa

Ethiopia’s federal government on Friday declared a six-month “state of emergency” as violent clashes escalate between the national army and local fighters from the northern region of Amhara.The fresh unrest in Africa’s second-most populous country comes just nine months after the end of a devastating two-year war in the neighbouring region of Tigray which also …

Ethiopia declares ‘state of emergency’ over Amhara violenceFri, 04 Aug 2023 19:05:24 GMT Read More »

Niger’s new military rulers have pulled out of several military agreements with France, raising questions about where we go from here.Q: Which agreements is the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) renouncing?R: Five accords, which Paris had already suspended pending the return of the democratically elected Mohamed Bazoum. They cover “different aspects …

The France-Niger accords: what happens now Niamey has pulled out?Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:33:36 GMT Read More »

A West African delegation failed to secure the return to power of Niger’s elected government on Friday despite proposals to resolve the crisis as the junta curtailed military cooperation with former colonial power France.The ECOWAS regional bloc’s team arrived Thursday in the capital Niamey “but did not spend the night” as scheduled, nor meet with …

Niger junta breaks off military cooperation with FranceFri, 04 Aug 2023 15:31:29 GMT Read More »

A West African delegation has failed to secure the return to power of Niger’s elected government as the junta moved to break military cooperation with former colonial power France.The ECOWAS regional bloc’s team had arrived Thursday in the capital Naimey “but did not spend the night” as scheduled, nor meet with coup leader Abdourahamane Tiani …

W. African delegation fails to resolve Niger crisisFri, 04 Aug 2023 08:31:46 GMT Read More »

Niger’s junta threatened an immediate response to “any aggression” as a deadline given by its neighbours to reverse last week’s coup neared, while the country’s ousted leader called for international help to “restore our constitutional order”.The putschists also made diplomatic swipes against international condemnation of the coup, scrapping military pacts with France and pulling ambassadors …

Ousted Niger leader calls for help as junta warns against interventionFri, 04 Aug 2023 05:10:27 GMT Read More »

Niger’s newly installed junta has threatened an immediate response to any “aggression or attempted aggression”, as the clock ticks down on a deadline given by its neighbours to reverse last week’s coup.It also made diplomatic swipes against international condemnation of the putsch, scrapping military pacts with France and pulling its ambassadors from Paris and Washington …

Niger junta threatens immediate response to any ‘aggression’Fri, 04 Aug 2023 02:31:07 GMT Read More »

Up to nine starters and four replacements will be desperate to impress South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber in a Rugby World Cup warm-up against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.  They have varying chances of making the 33-man squad of the title-holders for the global showpiece in France, that kicks off on September 8.Nienaber will …

Last chance saloon for Springbok World Cup hopefulsFri, 04 Aug 2023 01:03:59 GMT Read More »

Niger’s junta must “come to reason” and return power to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum before the country and the wider region collapse, Niamey’s ambassador to Washington said Thursday.”If Niger collapses, the entire Sahel will collapse, will be destabilized,” Ambassador Kiari Liman-Tinguiri told AFP in an interview on Niger’s independence day, as the future of Western …

Niger ambassador to US warns coup could destabilize regionFri, 04 Aug 2023 01:02:24 GMT Read More »

Nigeria’s president on Thursday told delegations from a West African bloc to do “whatever it takes” to reach an “amicable resolution” in Niger, as they embarked on talks in Niamey and the region to resolve the standoff following last week’s coup.Regional bloc ECOWAS on Sunday gave the junta a week to reinstate democratically elected President …

Nigerian president calls for ‘amicable resolution’ of Niger crisisThu, 03 Aug 2023 22:36:14 GMT Read More »

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday inaugurated a Chinese-funded power station that he said would go a long way in easing power shortages ahead of national elections. Mnangagwa, 80, who is seeking a second presidential term on August 23, has been on a ribbon-cutting spree as he attempts to portray himself as a go-getter and reassure …

Zimbabwe president opens power plant as election nearsThu, 03 Aug 2023 17:56:08 GMT Read More »