AFP Africa

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 »

Waxing down his board at the beach where he grew up, Souleymane Sidibe is determined to show the judges in Ivory Coast’s first surfing competition that he’s a future champion. The west African country is known internationally for its cocoa. With its 570-kilometre (355-mile) coastline and its impressive waves, it now wants to make a name …

Surf’s up: Ivory Coast rides the wavesMon, 03 Mar 2025 13:48:39 GMT Read More »

Nigeria centre-back Calvin Bassey marked his first FA Cup match for Fulham by scoring as the Londoners eliminated holders Manchester United at the weekend.He headed past United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana just before half-time in a fifth-round tie at Old Trafford, which Fulham won on penalties after a 1-1 draw.Gambian Yankuba Minteh was another …

African players in Europe: Bassey helps Fulham knock out UnitedMon, 03 Mar 2025 12:03:41 GMT Read More »

Four predominantly Muslim states in northern Nigeria have ordered the closure of schools for the holy month of Ramadan, drawing the threat of nationwide protests Monday from an education union.In an unusual decision that was also criticised by Christian groups, authorities in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Kebbi states last week closed primary and secondary schools …

Christians, unions in uproar as four Nigerian states close schools for RamadanMon, 03 Mar 2025 11:56:54 GMT Read More »

A highly anticipated trial of several prominent Tunisian opposition figures accused of plotting against state security is set to start Tuesday, with critics and rights groups denouncing it as unfair and politically motivated.The case has named around 40 high-profile defendants — including former diplomats, politicians, lawyers and media figures — some of whom have been …

Tunisia opponents to be tried on state security charges amid crackdownSun, 02 Mar 2025 04:00:58 GMT Read More »

In a worn-down classroom in eastern Sudan, men and women watch attentively from a wood bench as a teacher scribbles Arabic letters on a faded blackboard.Nodding approvingly in the corner is the school’s 63-year-old founder Amna Mohamed Ahmed, known to most as “Amna Oor”, which partly means lion in the Beja language of eastern Sudan.She …

In war-torn Sudan, a school offers a second chance at educationSun, 02 Mar 2025 03:04:14 GMT Read More »

Their sweat-stained faces lit only by a dim yellow bulb in a neglected corner of the capital Luanda, revellers sway their hips to the sound of a catchy beat on the eve of the annual Angolan carnival.The members of Groupe Uniao 17 de Setembro rehearse the semba, a playful yet intimate dance that emphasises connection …

Colourful Angolan carnival celebrates half century independenceSun, 02 Mar 2025 01:23:39 GMT Read More »

Marco Jansen said South Africa can stay focused and overcome their poor form in knock-out matches after they reached the Champions Trophy semi-finals by beating England on Saturday.The 24-year-old paceman destroyed the England top-order with 3-39. He also took three catches as South Africa dismissed their Group B rivals for 179 in 38.2 overs.South Africa …

Jansen confident South Africa can stick to basics under knock-out pressureSat, 01 Mar 2025 19:08:25 GMT Read More »

Residents of the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion took stock of the damage Saturday after a devastating cyclone barrelled through the overseas French territory, killing four people.Local people expressed shock at the level of destruction after Cyclone Garance struck the territory of 900,000 people Friday, uprooting trees, tearing off roofs and flooding homes. Entire …

Four dead as French island reels from devastating cycloneSat, 01 Mar 2025 17:37:51 GMT Read More »

Thousands of Namibians and dignitaries gathered Saturday to mourn the country’s independence leader, Sam Nujoma, as nearly a month of homage climaxed with a state funeral. Nujoma, the guerrilla leader who won independence for the desert nation from apartheid South Africa, died on February 9, aged 95.His casket — draped in the blue, white, red and …

Namibia bids farewell to founding father NujomaSat, 01 Mar 2025 12:50:02 GMT Read More »