Twenty-one people have been charged with manslaughter in the investigation into the sinking of a mini-ferry that killed 30 people and left seven missing a month ago in Gabon, the Libreville public prosecutor announced Saturday. On March 9, the Esther Miracle, which linked the capital to the oil port of …
Read More »At least 21 dead in Somalia’s flash floods – U.N. agency
At least 21 people including six children have died in Somalia’s flash flooding over the last week, according to the U.N. humanitarian agency. Nearly 100,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains and flash floods that hit the previously drought-stricken area in the Bardhere district of the Gedo region …
Read More »Congo: Pointe-Noire welcomes its very first cruise ship
The port of Pointe-Noire, the economic and oil capital of Congo-Brazzaville, received on Wednesday its first cruise ship carrying foreign tourists, a sign of the economic diversification sought by the Congolese government. Finnish flag floating in the air, 115 meters of steel carrying 150 tourists of various nationalities, the SH …
Read More »DRC urged to drop ‘discriminatory’ bill on ‘Congoleseness’
From the first concerned to the Catholic bishops, through political parties and civil society associations, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, positions are being taken against a controversial bill on “congolity”. This bill, known as the “Tshiani law”, named after its initiator Noël Tshiani, himself a candidate in the …
Read More »Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga calls off anti-government protests
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga announced Sunday he was calling off a protest on Monday and would embark on dialogue with the government after two weeks of chaotic street demonstrations. Three people have died and properties and businesses been looted since anti-government protests erupted on March 20, alarming neighbours and …
Read More »Senegalese opposition postpones April 3rd protests
The Senegalese opposition announced Friday (Mar.31) they’d postponed risky demonstrations scheduled Monday (Apr. 3rd). Throughout the trial of politician Ousmane Sonko, tensions were high in the country. Citing broad consultations and contacts “with senior members of the Defense and Security Forces”, the opposition announced the news in a statement. Almost …
Read More »Côte d’Ivoire: Ex-president Bédié calls for unity in his party to win the next elections
The former Ivorian president Henri Konan Bédié, now an opponent, on Thursday called on his party members to unite to win the next presidential election in 2025, after the defection of some leaders in recent weeks. This call for unity echoes the defections in recent weeks of some PDCI leaders, …
Read More »Senegal: Clashes between police officers, students in Dakar on the eve of Sonko trial
Clashes broke out Wednesday at the University of Dakar between police officers and students attempting to take part in a demonstration banned by the authorities on the eve of the trial of the opponent Ousmane Sonko. Deployed en masse around the university, the police sent tear gas in the direction …
Read More »Police fire tear gas as fresh protests erupt in Kenya despite ban
Kenyan police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s convoy on Monday as he pressed ahead with an anti-government rally despite a ban. The protesters defied a warning by the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome that the demonstrations in Nairobi and the western …
Read More »Kenya police bans new opposition protests
Kenya’s police chief announced a ban on fresh opposition demonstrations called for Monday, after protests last week degenerated into riots. “We will not allow violent demonstrations,” Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome told reporters on Sunday. “The demonstrations they plan tomorrow (Monday) are illegal and will not be allowed,” he …
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