AFP Africa

East DR Congo city buries blast victims as toll risesTue, 04 Mar 2025 15:30:19 GMT

The DR Congo city of Bukavu on Tuesday mourned those killed in two explosions that followed a meeting of the Rwanda-backed M23, which has seized the city in the conflict-ridden eastern region.The death toll from the February 27 blasts — which sent spectators fleeing and left pools of blood across the scene — has now …

East DR Congo city buries blast victims as toll risesTue, 04 Mar 2025 15:30:19 GMT Read More »

Tunisia opposition figures go on trial on state security chargesTue, 04 Mar 2025 15:17:40 GMT

The trial of several prominent Tunisian opposition figures accused of national security offences opened on Tuesday, with lawyers and relatives denouncing the case as politically motivated.The around 40 high-profile defendants include activists, politicians, lawyers and media figures, some of whom have been vocal critics of President Kais Saied.They face charges including “plotting against the state …

Tunisia opposition figures go on trial on state security chargesTue, 04 Mar 2025 15:17:40 GMT Read More »

Ramadan in ‘climate of war’ for east DR Congo’s MuslimsTue, 04 Mar 2025 11:56:35 GMT

Prayers at home and smaller gatherings to break the fast — Muslims in a city recently captured by Rwanda-backed fighters in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo face a more subdued holy month of Ramadan this year.The M23 captured Bukavu in South Kivu province in mid-February in a lightning offensive after resurfacing in late 2021 …

Ramadan in ‘climate of war’ for east DR Congo’s MuslimsTue, 04 Mar 2025 11:56:35 GMT Read More »

Pope breathing without mask after respiratory attacks: VaticanTue, 04 Mar 2025 11:35:56 GMT

Pope Francis was breathing without a mask on Tuesday after suffering two bouts of acute respiratory failure, the Vatican said as the leader of the world’s Catholics spent his 19th day in hospital with pneumonia.The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff, head of the Catholic Church since 2013, “slept all night long and continues to rest” following Monday’s …

Pope breathing without mask after respiratory attacks: VaticanTue, 04 Mar 2025 11:35:56 GMT Read More »

Pope slept all night, resting after two breathing attacks: VaticanTue, 04 Mar 2025 08:52:03 GMT

Pope Francis, hospitalised with pneumonia in both lungs, slept all night and was resting on Tuesday after suffering two bouts of acute respiratory failure the day before, the Vatican said.The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking alarm. On Monday, the pope “experienced …

Pope slept all night, resting after two breathing attacks: VaticanTue, 04 Mar 2025 08:52:03 GMT Read More »

Malaria deaths soar in shadow of Ethiopia conflictTue, 04 Mar 2025 07:36:34 GMT

Lema Tefera’s voice broke as he described losing four children to malaria in just one month — deaths that could likely have been prevented if not for the conflict in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.”There was no malaria medication and treatment in our village due to the fighting,” the farmer told AFP by phone.Africa accounts for about …

Malaria deaths soar in shadow of Ethiopia conflictTue, 04 Mar 2025 07:36:34 GMT Read More »

Families sent home to ruins of east DR Congo conflictTue, 04 Mar 2025 06:40:08 GMT

When the Banyene family were sent back to their home in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, all that had survived the fighting was a crumbling wall and sagging metal roof.Shell casings from automatic weapons littered the plot, leftovers from the conflict between the Congolese army and the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group that had until …

Families sent home to ruins of east DR Congo conflictTue, 04 Mar 2025 06:40:08 GMT Read More »

Tunisia opposition figures go on trial on state security chargesTue, 04 Mar 2025 02:02:11 GMT

The trial of several prominent Tunisian opposition figures accused of national security offences is set to begin Tuesday, with rights groups denouncing the case as politically motivated.The around 40 high-profile defendants include former diplomats, politicians, lawyers and media figures, some of whom have been outspoken critics of President Kais Saied.The charges against them are “plotting …

Tunisia opposition figures go on trial on state security chargesTue, 04 Mar 2025 02:02:11 GMT Read More »

Gabon’s leader Oligui Nguema, a strategist for powerMon, 03 Mar 2025 18:01:03 GMT

Gabon’s General Brice Oligui Nguema has sought to carve out an image as a positive, empathetic leader, far from his military strongman profile that characterised his seizure of power.Many Gabonese first saw Oligui on television when, as head of the elite presidential guard, he was triumphantly carried aloft by his troops hours after veteran president …

Gabon’s leader Oligui Nguema, a strategist for powerMon, 03 Mar 2025 18:01:03 GMT Read More »