AFP Africa

Powerful gusts shook an observation post perched on a hill at a wind farm in South Africa as two monitors scanned the landscape through binoculars.The Overberg mountains stretched along the horizon, but the monitors — bundled in scarves — were focused on activity much closer: around a giant wind turbine, a small, dark silhouette had …

S.Africa seeks to save birds from wind turbine risksThu, 23 Oct 2025 06:39:33 GMT Read More »

The Moroccan team were greeted by thousands of fans in Rabat on Wednesday for a parade to celebrate their historic victory in the Under-20 World Cup last week.Morocco became the first Arab country to win the tournament with a 2-0 triumph over favourites Argentina in Sunday’s final in Chilean capital Santiago.Before the parade, Moroccan Crown …

Morocco’s Under-20 World Cup winners welcomed home by large crowdsWed, 22 Oct 2025 20:12:00 GMT Read More »

A US missionary working for evangelical Christian organisation SIM has been abducted in Niger’s capital Niamey, officials said Wednesday.It marks the latest in a spate of kidnappings of westerners this year in northern Niger, a country plagued by jihadist violence and governed by a military junta for over two years.The unnamed victim, a man in …

US missionary abducted in Niger capitalWed, 22 Oct 2025 19:05:02 GMT Read More »

Incumbent Alassane Ouattara is the overwhelming favourite to secure a fourth term as Ivory Coast holds presidential polls Saturday, a task facilitated by the absence of several key opposition figures.Ouattara, 83, has wielded power in the world’s top cocoa producer since 2011, when the country began reasserting itself as a west African economic powerhouse.”We want …

Ouattara favourite as fourth Ivory Coast term loomsWed, 22 Oct 2025 17:36:27 GMT Read More »

Four opposition candidates are in the running for Ivory Coast’s presidential election Saturday, vying to rattle incumbent President Alassane Ouattara and face him off in a second round. Here is the ballot lineup, notably missing two main opponents Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, who were barred from running.- Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, 76, former first lady -Simone …

The four challengers to Ouattara in I.Coast electionsWed, 22 Oct 2025 07:05:26 GMT Read More »

A US-trained economist who appears to be an almost immovable cornerstone of Ivory Coast’s political life, President Alassane Ouattara is the favourite to win a fourth term in Saturday’s presidential election.For his admirers, he spells stability and is their natural leader.His detractors accuse him of ruling the country with an iron fist and of choosing …

Alassane Ouattara, economist turned I. Coast political pillarWed, 22 Oct 2025 07:02:28 GMT Read More »

Growing up in southern Nigeria during the 1970s, Bubaraye Dakolo would easily catch 20 kilograms of fish within minutes. These days, a fisherman casts nets all night, only to bring back just about three kilograms.Now Dakolo, the monarch of Ekpetiama, a kingdom in the southern coastal state of Bayelsa, a custodian of peace and tradition and …

Nigerian monarch takes on oil giant in search of environmental justiceTue, 21 Oct 2025 06:11:28 GMT Read More »

Touting himself as the prime mover behind the transformation of Ivory Coast’s economy over 14 years in office, Alassane Ouattara hopes that revamp can help secure him a fourth presidential term Saturday.Ouattara, 83, came to power in the world’s biggest cocoa producer on the back of a political and military crisis but strong growth and investment since …

Ouattara sets stall on revamped Abidjan for Ivorian poll bidTue, 21 Oct 2025 06:07:17 GMT Read More »

Since 2020, when suspected jihadists attacked the Kafolo military camp in northeastern Ivory Coast, the army has maintained a powerful presence in the region — and now fresh threats are looming, residents warn.A detailed AFP tour of the region revealed that the military has succeeded in limiting incursions by militant fighters operating from Burkina Faso, …

Northeast I. Coast lives warily between army, jihadists and militiaMon, 20 Oct 2025 06:02:19 GMT Read More »

Islamist militants still severely impact large swathes of Burkina Faso and Mali, imposing roadblocks, launching attacks and cutting off supply lines as they expand their decade-long presence, according to residents’ testimonies.Several towns in central and northern Burkina Faso are currently under blockade by jihadists and army supply lines are regularly targeted.The town of Arbinda has …

In the Sahel, no reprieve under jihadist blockadeMon, 20 Oct 2025 05:38:38 GMT Read More »