Africa

Zimbabwe launches space agency

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AFP)–Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa Tuesday launched a space agency, hailing it as a “milestone” as he campaigns ahead of elections at the end of the month. The Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency will deploy earth observation satellites, global navigation satellite systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, geospatial and space technologies for better farming, mineral exploration, wildlife conservation, infrastructure management and disease surveillance, he said in Harare. “This initiative is expected to enhance Zimbabwe’s capabilities […]

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UN urges Libya not to detain rescued migrants

TRIPOLI, Libya (AFP) – The head of the United Nations’ migration agency called Thursday on Libyan authorities not to detain migrants rescued or intercepted by the country’s coastguard. The International Organization for Migration’s William Lacy Swing said he had “suggested” to Libyan representatives that they and the IOM “try to break the link” between migrants being collected from the sea and put in detention. Migrants brought into Libya from the Mediterranean should instead be taken […]

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E.Guinea President calls ‘amnesty’ for political prisoners

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (AFP) — Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema on Wednesday announced a “total amnesty” for all political prisoners and opposition figures banned from political activity, according to a decree read on national television. “I grant total amnesty to all citizens condemned by the courts… for political offenses in the exercise of their activity, serving or not serving their sentence,” the presidential decree said. The move comes after President Obiang, who has ruled the […]

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AU summit overshadowed by ‘security failings’ in Sahel after attacks

by Hademine Ould Sadi © Agence France-Presse NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron joined African leaders gathered in the Mauritanian capital on the final evening of a summit overshadowed by security issues after jihadist rebels hammered two fragile Sahel states in successive attacks. Macron held separate talks with the leaders of a five-nation African anti-terror unit backed by France to discuss financial and security hurdles the “G5 Sahel” force faces. Five separate attacks […]

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Three babies dead, 100 missing in shipwreck off Libya: survivors

AL- HMIDIYA (AFP) — The bodies of three babies were recovered and around 100 people were missing after a migrant boat sank off the coast of Libya on Friday, survivors and the coastguard said. About 120 migrants were aboard the inflatable dinghy at the time, survivors brought ashore in Al-Hmidiya east of the capital Tripoli told AFP. Sixteen people were rescued. © Agence France-Presse

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Libyan strongman Haftar announces ‘liberation’ of Derna

BENGHAZI, Libya (AFP)–Libya’s Khalifa Haftar announced Thursday the “liberation” of Derna, the only city in the eastern region beyond his control, from radical Islamist militias. “We proudly announce the liberation of Derna, a city dear to all Libyans,” the breakaway military leader said in a televised speech. He promised residents a “new era of freedom, security and peace.” A spokesman for Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) said troops stormed “the last stronghold of the […]

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DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak coming to an end: minister

KINSHASA, DR Congo (AFP) – An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo is just weeks away from being defeated, after claiming 29 lives, the country’s health minister said Thursday. The “countdown” has begun, Oly Ilunga, said, noting that “all those in contact with the last confirmed cases of Ebola have finished their 21-day surveillance period without showing signs of contamination.” He said the outbreak, the ninth in the former Belgian […]

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Nigerian fuel truck ‘wildfire’ kills 9

LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP) – A fuel truck exploded in Nigeria’s commercial megacity Lagos on Thursday killing nine people in a huge blaze, state emergency officials told AFP. Suleiman Yakubu of the National Emergency Management Agency said the death toll was “nine so far” but that “more people are coming to identify vehicles”. “Before the fire was contained it spread like wildfire,” he added. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement he was “very sad […]

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Anger in Morocco over jailing of protesters

  RABAT, Morocco (AFP) – The jailing of demonstrators for up to 20 years over unrest in 2016 sparked anger in Morocco on Wednesday, with some warning it could threaten further instability. At the end of a nine-month trial the figurehead of the Al-Hirak al-Shaabi or “Popular Movement”, Nasser Zefzafi, was sentenced to 20 years along with three others for “plotting to undermine the security of the state”. A further 49 people were sentenced late […]

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Eritrea’s top diplomat in Ethiopia for historic talks

by Chris Stein Agence France-Presse ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP) – Ethiopia rolled out the red carpet and hosted a dinner for Eritrea’s top diplomat on Tuesday as the two nations took the next step in a historic initiative aimed at ending decades of conflict and hostility. The thaw between the foes who fought a bitter border war 20 years ago comes after an olive branch was dramatically offered by new Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed. […]

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Zimbabwe rally blast injured 41: minister

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AFP) — A blast that rocked a rally in which Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa narrowly escaped unscathed injured at least 41 people, including his two deputies, the health minister told a state Sunday paper. Health Minister David Parirenyatwa, said wounded rallygoers had been treated at three main hospitals across the city and “a total of 41… have so far approached our health institutions complaining of injuries”. Footage circulating on social media showed an […]

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32 Fulani civilians killed in Mali attack: local group

BAMAKO, Mali (AFP)–At least 32 civilians were killed and 10 are missing following an attack in central Mali, believed to have been carried out by traditional hunters, local officials said Sunday, as the government said 16 bodies had been found. Armed Dozo hunters, linked to the Dogon ethnic group, were suspected of ambushing the isolated village of Koumaga in the Mopti region on Saturday, killing dozens of Fulani herders, including children. “They surrounded the village, separated the […]

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