Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | At least 10 people have died in an outbreak of monkeypox in western Central African Republic, a country already hit by cholera, the health ministry announced Wednesday. “We have logged 10 deaths out of 19 patients,” in the southern province of Basse-Kotto, said …
Read More »Can Africa’s mobile money revolution reduce poverty?
Dakar, Senegal | AFP | When farmer Isaac Tondo fell on lean times in Liberia’s long rainy season, his brother in the capital sent 8,000 Liberian dollars (US$87) to his Lonestar mobile money account, ensuring his children’s school fees would still be paid. Across Africa more and more people — …
Read More »Ali Bongo sworn in as Gabon president after disputed win
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Ali Bongo was sworn back in as Gabon’s president Tuesday, calling for unity after a disputed election win that sparked deadly unrest and revealed deep divisions in the oil-rich country. He pledged to ensure “equal opportunities” for all and to push through a 2025 programme …
Read More »Malian jihadist jailed for 9 years for Timbuktu attacks
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | War crimes judges Tuesday found a Malian jihadist guilty of destroying Timbuktu’s fabled shrines, and were set to pass sentence amid hopes the court will send a strong message to help safeguard the world’s ancient monuments. A three-judge bench began handing down its judgements …
Read More »Ali Bongo to be sworn in as Gabon president today
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Ali Bongo will be sworn in on Tuesday as Gabon’s president for a second seven-year term, his office announced, three days after his election victory was controversially validated by the constitutional court. The ceremony will be held at the seafront presidential palace in Libreville, the …
Read More »Somalia delays elections one more month
Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP | Troubled Somalia on Monday announced it was delaying its elections for one more month to October and November due to security issues and administrative problems. Somalia’s internationally-backed government was supposed to hold national elections this year but instead scheduled a limited franchise election in which …
Read More »Uganda takes on the ‘world’s most dangerous road’
Witchcraft, poor roadwork and dangerous driving — all have been blamed for the killer highway whose users will often turn to prayer before taking the road. Mpigi, Uganda | AFP | Wearing pristine white with her woollen socks pulled high, Ugandan traffic police officer Edith Nanteza exudes natural authority at …
Read More »Kagame ready to lead Africa on SDGs
President Paul Kagame on Sept. 20, while speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, appealed to fellow leaders to foster inclusive growth and prosperity of all citizens. Kagame was chairing the 3rd board meeting for the SDG Center for Africa when he made the remarks, …
Read More »EU says Gabon court failed to address poll ‘anomalies’
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | EU monitors said Sunday that Gabon’s top court had failed to rectify vote-counting “anomalies” in fiercely-disputed elections in which President Ali Bongo extended his family’s rule in the oil-rich nation into a fifth decade. The European Union’s electoral observer mission said it “regretted” that Gabon’s …
Read More »Boko Haram leaves Nigeria a lifetime of mental trauma
Maiduguri, Nigeria | AFP | The soldier clutched his book with both hands. He shouted his name, rank and Nigerian Army number to no-one in particular. He stood up straight and ended every reply with a bark of “sah” (sir). But his eyes were fixed to a slowly cranking ceiling …
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