AFP Africa

The toll from the devastating cyclone that ripped through the French overseas territory of Mayotte risks rising, the prime minister said Tuesday, as the authorities announced a nighttime curfew to thwart looting.According to the latest toll, 21 people are confirmed to have been killed by Cyclone Chido when it barrelled into the archipelago at the …

France warns Mayotte cyclone toll to rise as curfew imposedTue, 17 Dec 2024 18:59:00 GMT Read More »

The dismal quality of housing across Mayotte has compounded the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido on the poverty-stricken French Indian Ocean territory where hundreds, or maybe thousands, are feared dead.Before the storm hit, around a third of the island’s population was living in iron-sheeted huts that never stood a chance against the powerful cyclone.By the …

How ramshackle housing made Mayotte vulnerable to cyclone assaultTue, 17 Dec 2024 15:05:14 GMT Read More »

Residents of the Comoros are desperate for news of loved ones in neighbouring Mayotte, where Cyclone Chido is feared to have killed hundreds and much of the population is Comoran.Chido spared the Comoros but devastated the French territory of Mayotte just 70 kilometres (43 miles) away, an Indian Ocean magnet for migrants from impoverished Comoros …

Comorans fear for loved ones on cyclone-ravaged MayotteTue, 17 Dec 2024 13:02:04 GMT Read More »

Ethiopia will partially open its banking sector to foreign banks following a vote by lawmakers on Tuesday, according to local media group FanaBC.Since taking power in 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been a vocal supporter of opening up the heavily state-controlled economy to competition and foreign investment.But internal conflicts — including a devastating civil …

Ethiopia opens banking sector to foreign investmentTue, 17 Dec 2024 11:21:13 GMT Read More »

In a library in Somaliland, Hafsa Omer presses play on a small cassette player. The sound of a Somali lute interwoven with a woman’s soft singing fills the room.Tapping her keyboard, Omer bobs with the rhythm of the pentatonic melody typical in the northern region of the Horn of Africa.Since 2021, the 21-year-old has been …

Re-discovered tapes bear witness to Somaliland identityTue, 17 Dec 2024 07:22:30 GMT Read More »

Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman was named 2024 African men’s player of the year at a ceremony in Marrakesh on Monday, while Zambia’s Barbra Banda picked up the women’s award. Lookman succeeds compatriot Victor Osimhen, who last year became the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.The 27-year-old owes his achievement to consistently excellent performances both …

Lookman and Banda crowned African players of the yearMon, 16 Dec 2024 21:05:42 GMT Read More »

France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that he would soon visit Mayotte in the aftermath of a cyclone that ripped through the French Indian Ocean territory, with hundreds feared dead.As rescuers raced to reach the survivors, images from Mayotte showed scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to piles of rubble.After summoning key government officials, Macron …

Macron to visit France’s cyclone-battered MayotteMon, 16 Dec 2024 20:20:11 GMT Read More »

France’s government went into crisis mode Monday as rescuers raced to reach survivors of a cyclone that left hundreds feared dead after ripping through the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte.Images from Mayotte showed scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to piles of rubble.President Emmanuel Macron summoned key government officials for a crisis meeting that …

France in crisis mode as rescuers rush cyclone aid to MayotteMon, 16 Dec 2024 18:05:03 GMT Read More »

The UN has presented a plan to Libya to help it organize elections, unify competing governments and overhaul its institutions, the UN envoy to the troubled country told the Security Council Monday.The vast North African nation of 6.8 million people has struggled to recover from years of conflict after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew …

UN proposes Libya stabilization, election planMon, 16 Dec 2024 17:12:37 GMT Read More »

A Ugandan court on Monday ordered the government to pay victims of a former Lord’s Resistance Army commander up to $2,500 each.  Thomas Kwoyelo was found guilty in August of multiple counts of crimes against humanity for his role in the notorious militia in the first such trial in the East African country.He was sentenced …

Uganda court orders govt compensation for LRA victimsMon, 16 Dec 2024 16:08:19 GMT Read More »