AFP Africa

Calm returns to Cotonou with Beninese coup plotters on the runMon, 08 Dec 2025 17:59:00 GMT

Five people are lined up before Chantal Dagah’s newsstand in Benin’s economic capital Cotonou — a sure sign of trouble.Traffic at her kiosk, just steps away from several government ministries, guarded by tanks Monday afternoon usually comes in dribs and drabs, but after a failed coup over the weekend, Beninese across the seaside city are …

Calm returns to Cotonou with Beninese coup plotters on the runMon, 08 Dec 2025 17:59:00 GMT Read More »

MSF says conditions for Gaza medics ‘as hard as it’s ever been’ despite truceMon, 08 Dec 2025 17:56:07 GMT

Conditions for medics and patients in Gaza are as severe as ever despite a nearly two-month truce in the territory, the president of medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said in an AFP interview.Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed in October to a US-backed truce deal for Gaza which stipulated an influx of aid to …

MSF says conditions for Gaza medics ‘as hard as it’s ever been’ despite truceMon, 08 Dec 2025 17:56:07 GMT Read More »

‘Search continues’ for soldiers behind foiled Benin coupMon, 08 Dec 2025 15:58:49 GMT

After managing to release all hostages, including high-ranking officers, Benin was Monday searching for fugitive soldiers behind a foiled coup attempt as other west African countries mobilised to offer military support.The economic capital Cotonou was calm and traffic had returned to normal by Monday afternoon, AFP journalists saw, after a group of soldiers a day …

‘Search continues’ for soldiers behind foiled Benin coupMon, 08 Dec 2025 15:58:49 GMT Read More »

Ivory Coast leader sworn in for fourth term, vowing ‘generational’ changeMon, 08 Dec 2025 15:53:49 GMT

Vowing to deliver “generational” change, President Alassane Ouattara was sworn in Monday for a fourth term as leader of Ivory Coast, after elections in which his two main opponents were excluded from the ballot.Ouattara, 83, was re-elected with nearly 90 percent of the vote in the October 25 election, though turnout in the west African …

Ivory Coast leader sworn in for fourth term, vowing ‘generational’ changeMon, 08 Dec 2025 15:53:49 GMT Read More »

Tanzania doctor describes bodies taken from morgue as fresh protests loomMon, 08 Dec 2025 11:49:30 GMT

After Western officials accused Tanzania of removing the bodies of those killed during election protests, a doctor has told AFP of hundreds of patients and corpses being taken from his hospital to secret locations, fuelling calls for more demonstrations on Tuesday.The election on October 29 erupted into days of violent protests over claims President Samia …

Tanzania doctor describes bodies taken from morgue as fresh protests loomMon, 08 Dec 2025 11:49:30 GMT Read More »

Nigeria’s cash-splashing ‘Detty December’ festivities kick off in LagosMon, 08 Dec 2025 10:16:18 GMT

The hotels are booked and final preparations for the festivals and concerts are under way, as Lagos prepares for “Detty December”, Nigeria’s end-of-year frenzy.Nigerians and tourists alike, especially members of the country’s massive diaspora, descend on the megacity annually to visit family and friends and observe the holidays — and party.Never mind the recent state …

Nigeria’s cash-splashing ‘Detty December’ festivities kick off in LagosMon, 08 Dec 2025 10:16:18 GMT Read More »

Benin president says situation ‘under control’ after coup attemptMon, 08 Dec 2025 05:29:10 GMT

Benin’s president said the “situation is completely under control” in his country after the government thwarted an attempted coup thanks to loyalist soldiers with support from Nigerian forces.A group of soldiers announced Sunday on state television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon.That sparked a swift response from loyal army forces, joined by air strikes …

Benin president says situation ‘under control’ after coup attemptMon, 08 Dec 2025 05:29:10 GMT Read More »

100 kidnapped Nigerian schoolchildren released: UN source, presidencySun, 07 Dec 2025 21:40:24 GMT

Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren taken by gunmen from a Catholic school last month, a UN source and local media said Sunday, though the fate of the 165 students and staff thought to remain in captivity remains unclear.In late November 315 students and staff were kidnapped from St. Mary’s co-educational …

100 kidnapped Nigerian schoolchildren released: UN source, presidencySun, 07 Dec 2025 21:40:24 GMT Read More »

Benin government says has ‘foiled’ coup attemptSun, 07 Dec 2025 18:03:15 GMT

Benin’s government said Sunday the government had thwarted an attempted coup, just hours after a group of soldiers announced on state television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon.Military and security sources said that around a dozen soldiers had been arrested, including those behind the coup bid.The west Africa region has experienced a number of …

Benin government says has ‘foiled’ coup attemptSun, 07 Dec 2025 18:03:15 GMT Read More »