AFRICA

Rabat, Morocco | AFP |  Gabon’s ailing President Ali Bongo left Morocco on Monday to fly home days after security forces there foiled an attempted coup, a source close to the leader said. “Doctors have judged that the journey does not present any danger for his health,” the source said, …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russia’s Alrosa, the world’s leading producer of diamonds, announced Monday it plans to launch in Zimbabwe on the eve of talks in Moscow between the country’s president and Vladimir Putin. “With support of the government of Zimbabwe, the company will develop new mining operations in the country,” Alrosa said in …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Angry protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres and rocks in Zimbabwe on Monday after the government more than doubled the price of fuel in a bid to improve supplies as the country battles its worst gasoline shortages in a decade. Protesters turned back drivers and blocked buses from carrying passengers …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s chief justice, Walter Onnoghen, was absent Monday from the first day of his fiercely-disputed trial overshadowed by the country’s upcoming elections. Onnoghen had been scheduled to attend the Code of Conduct Tribunal, a special court set up to enforce ethical conduct among holders of public office. Last week he was …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Defiant Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Monday that ongoing protests will not lead to a change in government, as he addressed a rally of cheering supporters in war-torn Darfur. “Demonstrations will not change the government,” Bashir told crowds of supporters gathered in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, where …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabweans reacted with outrage Sunday to a sharp rise in fuel prices announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a move to improve supplies as the country struggles with its worst gasoline shortages in a decade. After years of international isolation, Zimbabwe’s economy has been in …

Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Egypt’s sports ministry and Football Federation on Sunday outlined their bid to be ready for the Africa Cup of Nations which starts on June 15. Egypt took over as hosts for the 2019 tournament last week after Cameroon was stripped of the event due to …

N’Djamena, Chad | AFP | Fighting between Chadian and Sudanese rebels at a remote goldmine in northern Chad has left dozens dead, local and rebel sources said Sunday. The fighting pitting Chadian rebels against a Sudanese group close to the N’Djamena government took place Saturday in the Kouri Bougoudi regions, …

Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | An African regional bloc on Sunday called for a unity government in Democratic Republic of Congo following disputed presidential elections, while also urging a recount of the ballots. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) said political leaders should agree to a negotiated settlement after …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Former South Africa star Philemon ‘Chippa’ Masinga died Sunday aged 49 in a Johannesburg hospital from cancer, the national football association said in a statement. Retired South Africa captain Lucas Radebe, who played with Masinga at then English top-flight club Leeds United in the …