AFP Africa

Brazil has suspended the import of dried and fermented cocoa beans from the world’s largest producer, Ivory Coast, where the sector is in crisis amid falling exports.Brazil’s agriculture ministry published a decree this week ordering the suspension, citing the risk of pests or diseases in cocoa beans coming from the West African nation, claiming its …

Brazil suspends cocoa bean imports from Ivory CoastWed, 25 Feb 2026 21:00:18 GMT Read More »

Eleven South African men who were allegedly lured into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine returned to their home country Wednesday, AFP reporters saw.They were part of a group of 17 who requested help from Pretoria in November as they were trapped in the epicentre of the fighting in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being tricked …

Eleven men lured into Russia war returned to South AfricaWed, 25 Feb 2026 18:27:38 GMT Read More »

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on a rare visit to Ukraine on Wednesday urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to release two Ghanaian prisoners of war captured fighting for Russia.Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has drawn in mercenaries and foreign fighters on both sides of the conflict, including from several African countries.Ukraine said Wednesday that …

Ghana FM in Kyiv urges Ukraine to release 2 Ghanaian POWsWed, 25 Feb 2026 17:51:35 GMT Read More »

Pope Leo XIV will visit four African nations in April, the Vatican said Thursday, including Algeria — the first time a pope will travel to the North African Muslim nation.The Vatican announced a series of international trips in the months ahead for the US pontiff, who was elected last year, including to Spain and Monaco.But …

Pope lines up trips to Central Africa, Algeria, Spain, MonacoWed, 25 Feb 2026 16:27:03 GMT Read More »

The lives of more than 1.9 million displaced people in South Sudan are being put at risk due to aid funding shortages, the UN’s migration agency said Wednesday.The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said humanitarian needs were dramatically outstripping resources in one of the world’s most displacement-affected countries.”Critical funding shortfalls are putting the lives of …

Funding gaps threaten lives of 1.9 mn displaced in South Sudan: UNWed, 25 Feb 2026 12:58:23 GMT Read More »

Armed with nothing but a crowbar and shovel in the hills of Somaliland, Ahmed Ibrahim hacks away at rocks where he and fellow miners have already found tonnes of lithium. Officials in the breakaway territory of northern Somalia say there is an abundance of critical minerals in its ground, and potentially billions of barrels of oil, …

Somaliland pins hopes on critical mineral gold rushWed, 25 Feb 2026 06:37:24 GMT Read More »

French President Emmanuel Macron and Madagascar’s new leader on Tuesday held talks and agreed to “renew” ties after steps taken by the former French colony to draw closer to Russia.Colonel Michael Randrianirina — Madagascar’s interim leader since the former president fled in October following demonstrations — arrived in France less than a week after holding …

Madagascar’s new leader, Macron pledge to renew ties after talksTue, 24 Feb 2026 20:26:18 GMT Read More »

Senegal’s prime minister Tuesday unveiled legislation that would double the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison, in a crackdown condemned by human rights groups.Ministers passed the bill to the National Assembly after approving it last week, following multiple arrests of people accused of same-sex relations, which …

Senegal PM vows to double penalty for same-sex relationsTue, 24 Feb 2026 19:08:36 GMT Read More »

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday hosted Madagascar’s new leader for talks after the African nation has taken steps to ramp up ties with Russia.Colonel Michael Randrianirina — Madagascar’s interim leader since the former president fled in October following demonstrations — arrived in France less than a week after holding talks with President Vladimir Putin …

Madagascar’s leader meets Macron after Putin talksTue, 24 Feb 2026 17:03:09 GMT Read More »

Paris Saint-Germain footballer Achraf Hakimi, a key player in their Champions League-winning side last season, is to stand trial charged with raping a young woman, his lawyer and a French prosecutor told AFP Tuesday. In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-De-Marne region southeast of Paris that Hakimi had raped her.The …

PSG star Hakimi faces trial for alleged rapeTue, 24 Feb 2026 14:01:00 GMT Read More »