**The weeklong FESPACO that opens Saturday (Feb. 25) in Burkina Faso’s capital goes beyond entertainment and seeks to also offer hope, and a symbol of endurance: In years of political strife and Islamic extremist attacks, which killed thousands and displaced nearly 2 million in the West African country, it’s never been cancelled.** …
Read More »Djibouti to hold parliamentary vote snubbed by opposition
Djibouti is preparing to vote in parliamentary elections on Friday, February 24. Kadar Abdi Ibrahim, secretary general of the only opposition party in the running, believes that “there is no substantive debate in this legislative election”. Aden Omar Abdillahi, the head of a political research institute adds “this is the …
Read More »Trilateral naval exercise underway in South Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa participated in the opening ceremony for the trilateral naval drills involving Russia, China and South Africa. The naval exercise, named Mosi II, is taking place off South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast. Speaking on the opening ceremony, Russian Navy Commander, Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, reaffirmed the close …
Read More »Heavy rains hit Mauritius as cyclone Freddy passes closest to archipelago
Mauritius was battered by heavy rain Monday (Feb. 20) as intense tropical storm Freddy neared the country. Many businesses were forced to close and the Indian Ocean archipelago’s international airport was shut. As of 10 PM local time (UTC +4), the Mauritius Meteorological Services said the cyclone had passed at …
Read More »Tour de Rwanda gives high hopes for cycling in Africa – Chris Froome
British cycling great Chris Froome said Friday he has high hopes for the future of the sport in Africa as he returned to the continent of his birth. The four-time Tour de France winner, who was born in Kenya, is the star attraction at the Tour du Rwanda which runs …
Read More »Ivorians welcome reopening of land borders
The reopening of land borders between Ivory Coast and its neighbours was greeted with joy by many on the streets after the government’s announcement on Wednesday evening. Since March 2020 that the Ivorian authorities closed all borders after the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. “I am very happy …
Read More »Guinea: Two people killed in anti-junta clashes
Two people died Thursday in clashes between anti-junta protesters and security forces in Guinea, a municipal official and relatives of the deceased told AFP, with the country’s opposition coalition reporting “many arrests” and injuries from live ammunition. Protesters took to the streets to demand a return to civilian rule, and …
Read More »Morocco’s National Finery Museum reopens after massive refurbish
The Bizmoun necklace is the oldest piece of jewellery in the world. It’s on display at the National Finery Museum in Rabat, Morocco, a building which has reopened its doors after years of renovations. The necklace, made of 32 perforated shells, was found in 2019 in the Bizmoun cave near …
Read More »Hijabi ‘indie mothers’ embraced by young Indonesian music fans
At a packed festival in central Jakarta, hijab-clad sexagenarian singer Rien Djamain bursts into an upbeat track about nuclear destruction to a crowd of thousands, mostly young Indonesians. Behind the frontwoman of the all-female Nasida Ria band are her fellow musicians, dressed in silver and black sequined dresses, backing up …
Read More »South African farmer warns of ‘lots of food shortages’ amidst ongoing power cuts
From dairy farms unable to keep milk refrigerated, to chickens suffocating en masse as ventilators fall idle, an energy crisis is taking a heavy toll on South Africa’s food sector, industry groups said. Record power cuts have caused shortages of some staples, threatening price rises that could make some popular …
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