AFP Africa

Madagascar’s new military leader insists takeover ‘not a coup’Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:36:26 GMT

Madagascar’s Colonel Michael Randrianirina insisted on the eve of his swearing in as new leader on Friday that a military power grab that sent President Andry Rajoelina fleeing the island was “not a coup”.Randrianirina has faced international criticism after his CAPSAT military unit declared on Tuesday it had taken power — an announcement made moments …

Madagascar’s new military leader insists takeover ‘not a coup’Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:36:26 GMT Read More »

Crowds flock for an audience with Madagascar’s new military leaderThu, 16 Oct 2025 16:27:07 GMT

A disparate crowd of politicians, businessmen, activists and citizens gathered at a Madagascar military barracks Thursday in hopes of an audience with the island’s new strongman, Colonel Michael Randrianirina.The commander of the CAPSAT unit was to be sworn in as transitional president Friday, just three days after seizing power as the national assembly voted to …

Crowds flock for an audience with Madagascar’s new military leaderThu, 16 Oct 2025 16:27:07 GMT Read More »

Kenya security forces fire on mourners for politician OdingaThu, 16 Oct 2025 15:16:47 GMT

Tens of thousands of Kenyans fled in panic on Thursday when security forces fired on mourners who had gathered in a stadium to see the body of opposition leader Raila Odinga, repatriated from India on Thursday.AFP journalists said at least three people were visibly injured at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi after security fired to disperse …

Kenya security forces fire on mourners for politician OdingaThu, 16 Oct 2025 15:16:47 GMT Read More »

IMF chief says acted ‘as soon as conditions allowed’ on Senegal debtThu, 16 Oct 2025 13:43:09 GMT

The IMF acted as soon as it could after discovering that Senegal had misreported more than $11 billion in debt, the head of the international financial institution said Thursday. After taking power last year, Senegal’s new government said the previous administration of Macky Sall had significantly under-represented its levels of debt, sparking an International Monetary Fund …

IMF chief says acted ‘as soon as conditions allowed’ on Senegal debtThu, 16 Oct 2025 13:43:09 GMT Read More »

Chaos as security forces fire on mourners for Kenyan politician OdingaThu, 16 Oct 2025 12:48:52 GMT

Tens of thousands of mourners in Kenya fled in panic when security forces fired gunshots and teargas in a stadium where they had gathered to see the coffin of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose body was repatriated from India on Thursday.AFP journalists said at least three people were visibly injured at Kasarani Stadium after …

Chaos as security forces fire on mourners for Kenyan politician OdingaThu, 16 Oct 2025 12:48:52 GMT Read More »

Impeached president confirms he fled Madagascar as new leader claims ‘not a coup’Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:59:03 GMT

Madagascar’s new leader insisted Thursday that a military power grab after the army joined weeks of demonstrations was “not a coup”, as ousted President Andry Rajoelina confirmed he had fled the country days earlier.Colonel Michael Randrianirina from the mutinied CAPSAT military contingent has faced international criticism after the army announced Tuesday it had taken power …

Impeached president confirms he fled Madagascar as new leader claims ‘not a coup’Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:59:03 GMT Read More »

Kenya flights suspended as body of revered politician Odinga repatriatedThu, 16 Oct 2025 09:48:37 GMT

Huge crowds gathered across Kenya on Thursday as the body of revered opposition leader Raila Odinga was repatriated from India, forcing the authorities to suspend flights and change memorial plans.As a large number of mourners gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to greet the coffin, the civil aviation authority announced that it had temporarily suspended …

Kenya flights suspended as body of revered politician Odinga repatriatedThu, 16 Oct 2025 09:48:37 GMT Read More »

The Madagascar colonel who sent the president fleeing and took powerThu, 16 Oct 2025 09:29:35 GMT

Colonel Michael Randrianirina had already become the face of Madagascar’s military mutiny when he stood in uniform outside the presidential palace on Tuesday and told AFP the army had “taken power”.The 51-year-old commander with a history of opposing President Andry Rajoelina stepped into the limelight Saturday as leader of the mutinied CAPSAT contingent, declaring in …

The Madagascar colonel who sent the president fleeing and took powerThu, 16 Oct 2025 09:29:35 GMT Read More »

Madagascar’s protests fan anger against colonial FranceThu, 16 Oct 2025 07:07:08 GMT

Placards and slogans against France that surfaced in demonstrations against impeached President Andry Rajoelina this week exposed deep resentment against the former colonial power.”France out”, “Rajoelina and Macron out”, said banners after French media reported that the president had fled on a French military plane as an army unit threw its weight behind protesters calling …

Madagascar’s protests fan anger against colonial FranceThu, 16 Oct 2025 07:07:08 GMT Read More »