French officers handed over the keys to a military base in the Malian city of Timbuktu on Tuesday, after a nearly nine-year deployment. The ceremony took place near the city’s airport, with Malian army officers, officials from the local government and the United Nations attending. The French flag was lowered and the Malian flag raised…
The party of Gambian opposition leader Ousainou Darboe announced Tuesday that it appealed to the Supreme Court to annul the proclaimed re-election of the incumbent Adama Barrow in the presidential election, accusing him of multiple irregularities including vote-buying. Adama Barrow was declared the winner by the electoral commission of the presidential election of December 4…
South Africa withdrew a circular that prompted banks to threaten to close the accounts of a category of Zimbabwean immigrants who have a permit to live and work in the country from 1 January next year. The circular sent to banks was withdrawn because it created confusion, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in an…
A new law targeting LGBT+ activities has been proposed in Senegal. The bill seeks to criminalise people in the LGBT+ community. Activist Djamil Bangoura called on the international community to reject the new legislation. A group of Senegalese lawmakers has drafted a law that would tighten already repressive laws against same-sex relations, lengthening potential jail…
Tunisian President Kais Saied has announced that parliament will remain suspended until fresh elections are held a year from now. In a national TV address, Mr Saied also laid out plans for a referendum on the constitution next year. Ever since he froze parliament and dismissed the then prime minister back in July, the Tunisian…
Cameroonians continue to leave the northern town of Kousseri to seek refuge in neighboring Chad, following inter-community clashes which, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, left 22 people dead and around 30 injured. Clashes between herdsmen and fishermen who disagree over the management and use of water broke out on 5…
With only days to go until scheduled elections meant to cap Libya’s long political transition and unify the war-torn country, many instead fear a return to violence. Standing near the port in the capital Tripoli, Khaled al-Turki said he has little optimism about the December 24 vote. “The most prominent candidates are divisive,” the 25-year-old…
Nigeria’s traditional ruler in southern Benin city hosted a day of celebrations on Monday in anticipation of the long-awaited return of two bronze treasures looted during colonial times. Dancers and musicians performed in King Uku Akpolokpolor Ewuare II’s palace, which was decorated with banners of the artifacts: a bronze cockerel and a king’s bust. “Today…
Tigray rebels on Sunday recaptured the north Ethiopian town of Lalibela, home to a UNESCO world heritage site, local residents told AFP, 11 days after Ethiopian forces said they had re-taken control. The announcement marks another dramatic twist in the 13-month-old conflict that has killed thousands of people and triggered a deep humanitarian crisis in…
A violent mafia-style gang in Nigeria linked to murder and fraud has infiltrated the country’s political system and launched a global scamming operation well beyond Nigeria’s borders, according to thousands of hacked documents and testimonies seen by the BBC. The “Black Axe” gang has been operating for decades in Nigeria and is among the country’s…