AFP Africa

Fear stalks DR Congo city Goma as artillery fire shakes groundFri, 24 Jan 2025 20:16:40 GMT

Explosions rocked the ground in the main city in DR Congo’s east on Friday as intensifying clashes between the country’s army and M23 fighters gripped the region.In the centre of the city of Goma schools were shut, although businesses remained open despite the fear gripping the population.Trader Mamike Ramazni said the atmosphere in the city …

Fear stalks DR Congo city Goma as artillery fire shakes groundFri, 24 Jan 2025 20:16:40 GMT Read More »

Sudan army breaks paramilitary siege on Khartoum HQ, reclaims oil refineryFri, 24 Jan 2025 20:15:33 GMT

The Sudanese army said Friday it broke a siege of its headquarters in Khartoum by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which had encircled it since war broke out in April 2023.In a statement, the army said troops in Bahri (Khartoum North) and Omdurman across the Nile River had “merged with our forces stationed at the …

Sudan army breaks paramilitary siege on Khartoum HQ, reclaims oil refineryFri, 24 Jan 2025 20:15:33 GMT Read More »

Sudan army breaks paramilitary siege on key base: military sourceFri, 24 Jan 2025 17:48:52 GMT

The Sudanese army broke a paramilitary siege on one of its key Khartoum-area bases on Friday, paving the way to also freeing the besieged military headquarters, a military source said.In a statement, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) denied the advance, saying the army was “spreading rumours”.Since the outbreak of the war with Sudan’s army …

Sudan army breaks paramilitary siege on key base: military sourceFri, 24 Jan 2025 17:48:52 GMT Read More »

400,000 displaced this year as conflict rages in DRC’s volatile eastFri, 24 Jan 2025 12:41:17 GMT

The DR Congo army and M23 on Friday clashed near the main city in the country’s volatile east as the UN warned the raging conflict had displaced over 400,000 people this year and could spark a regional war.Since peace talks failed, M23 fighters backed by Rwandan troops have gained swathes of territory in east DRC …

400,000 displaced this year as conflict rages in DRC’s volatile eastFri, 24 Jan 2025 12:41:17 GMT Read More »

Gambian exiled former dictator tells supporters: ‘I’m coming back’Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:13:29 GMT

The Gambia’s former dictator Yahya Jammeh has said he intends to take back control of his political party and declared he is “coming back”, in an audio message obtained by AFP on Thursday.He ruled the tiny west African nation for 22 years, presiding over a regime accused of carrying out torture, using death squads and …

Gambian exiled former dictator tells supporters: ‘I’m coming back’Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:13:29 GMT Read More »

‘I rip out my lashes to ease pain’: Eye disease afflicts EthiopiaFri, 24 Jan 2025 02:51:00 GMT

Scheicho Scheifa is haunted by the fear of going blind. A disease called trachoma has turned his eyelids inwards, causing his eyelashes to scar his corneas so badly that one has already turned opaque.The 35-year-old farmer and baker, who blinks frequently and suffers in sunshine, said the pain is so fierce he has now “stopped working …

‘I rip out my lashes to ease pain’: Eye disease afflicts EthiopiaFri, 24 Jan 2025 02:51:00 GMT Read More »

Congolese army battles to halt advancing Rwanda-backed fightersThu, 23 Jan 2025 17:23:30 GMT

Congolese helicopter gunships swooped low over the plains to fire volleys of rockets and troops trucked towards the front line to halt Rwanda-backed fighters advancing on DR Congo’s eastern provincial capital after capturing a string of towns.The Mi-24s — rarely used because of the M23 and Rwanda anti-aircraft defences — fly low over the plain, …

Congolese army battles to halt advancing Rwanda-backed fightersThu, 23 Jan 2025 17:23:30 GMT Read More »

Sudan’s army, paramilitaries trade blame over oil refinery attackThu, 23 Jan 2025 16:14:08 GMT

The Sudanese army and rival paramilitaries traded blame on Thursday over targeting a major oil refinery north of the capital Khartoum, where clashes between the warring sides have intensified.Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of smoke covering the area around Al-Jaili refinery about 70 kilometres (40 miles) from Khartoum.The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had claimed …

Sudan’s army, paramilitaries trade blame over oil refinery attackThu, 23 Jan 2025 16:14:08 GMT Read More »

West Africa juntas tighten screws on foreign mining firmsThu, 23 Jan 2025 14:37:35 GMT

Earlier this month, soldiers swooped by helicopter into a vast mining complex in western Mali and made away with three tonnes of gold — all done on the orders of the military government.The confiscation at the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, majority owned by a Canadian firm, is one of the most extraordinary twists in a long-running confrontation …

West Africa juntas tighten screws on foreign mining firmsThu, 23 Jan 2025 14:37:35 GMT Read More »

S.African anti-apartheid activists sue govt over lack of justiceThu, 23 Jan 2025 13:49:00 GMT

Twenty-five families of victims and survivors of apartheid-era crimes are suing the South African government over a “gross failure” to investigate and prosecute perpetrators, said the rights group representing victims on Thursday. The suit filed Monday at the Pretoria High Court targets President Cyril Ramaphosa, the justice and police ministers and the heads of the public …

S.African anti-apartheid activists sue govt over lack of justiceThu, 23 Jan 2025 13:49:00 GMT Read More »