AFP Africa

The UN Human Rights Council will decide Friday whether to launch an international investigation into alleged violations and abuses committed as deadly clashes gripped the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.DR Congo requested the urgent meeting of the UN’s top rights body to discuss escalating fighting by Rwanda-backed armed group M23 in North and South Kivu …

UN rights council mulls probe of abuses in east DRCFri, 07 Feb 2025 07:00:02 GMT Read More »

A new contingent of Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on Thursday to bolster a UN-backed security mission, AFP journalists observed, as the United States reiterated its support but called for a “new direction.”The police contingent, which Kenya’s interior ministry said earlier included 144 officers, was greeted at the international airport in Port-au-Prince by interim …

Kenya deploys additional 144 police to HaitiThu, 06 Feb 2025 23:20:27 GMT Read More »

The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group continued its advance Thursday through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and looked poised to seize a strategic town, as United Nations chief Antonio Guterres called for peace.After capturing Goma, the main city in North Kivu province, last week, the M23 and Rwandan troops launched a new offensive on Wednesday in …

DR Congo conflict advances as UN calls for peaceThu, 06 Feb 2025 18:57:19 GMT Read More »

South Africa will not be bullied, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a national address Thursday, after his government faced criticism from senior US officials including President Donald Trump.”We are witnessing the rise of nationalism, protectionism, the pursuit of narrow interests, and the decline of common cause,” Ramaphosa said.”This is the world that we as South …

We will not be bullied, says S.Africa president after US barbsThu, 06 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT Read More »

Long queues stretch in front of banks and other public buildings in DR Congo’s largest eastern city Goma, where Rwanda-backed M23 fighters have taken control, leaving residents in disarray.More than a week after the battle for the North Kivu provincial capital, the M23 on Wednesday appointed people to public positions.This has left Goma with two …

DR Congo’s occupied city plunged into uncertaintyThu, 06 Feb 2025 16:39:46 GMT Read More »

Britain’s government insisted Thursday that it must hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius to secure continued access to satellite communications at a key US-UK military base.The Labour administration is facing domestic political criticism for announcing in October that it would return the isles to Britain’s former colony and pay to lease the facility on …

UK says satellite system key to Chagos US base dealThu, 06 Feb 2025 14:39:07 GMT Read More »

South Africa’s new Expropriation Act, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month, has sparked condemnation from the White House and resurfaced tensions around racial inequality and land ownership.Here is some background on the legislation and the debate around it:- What is the new law and why the backlash? -The act, signed January 23, replaces a …

S.Africa’s land reform act sparks divisionsThu, 06 Feb 2025 13:36:07 GMT Read More »

Rwandan-backed M23 said Thursday it wanted to “liberate all of the Congo” in its first public meeting since seizing the eastern city of Goma after deadly clashes, as its fighters advanced towards another regional capital.After capturing Goma, the main city in North Kivu province, last week, the M23 and Rwandan troops launched a new offensive …

M23 addresses crowds in captured DR Congo city, as fighters advanceThu, 06 Feb 2025 12:37:57 GMT Read More »

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday he would skip Group of 20 talks this month in South Africa, accusing the host government of an “anti-American” agenda.Rubio’s announcement comes days after US President Donald Trump lashed out at South Africa over land reforms aimed at redressing inequalities perpetrated during the apartheid era.In a post …

US skipping G20 talks due to S. Africa’s ‘anti-American’ agenda: RubioThu, 06 Feb 2025 07:30:23 GMT Read More »

Fatima Ba compliments a customer trying on one of her designs — a stylish silk dress in ochre with a gold motif made from start to finish in Senegal.The founder of fashion label So Fatoo has made a name for herself in Senegal and beyond producing clothes that are locally made despite the country’s struggling …

‘Made in Senegal’ vogue hemmed in by textiles slumpThu, 06 Feb 2025 06:38:23 GMT Read More »