Demonstrators gathered in the capital of Burkina Faso on Thursday to show their support for the country’s new junta leader, as rumours swirled of internal divisions in the army. Ibrahim Traore was declared president on Wednesday after a two-day standoff that ousted Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, who had seized power only in January. Traore was at…
Africans too sold other Africans into slavery. By hiding that, Black filmmakers are breaking with a heroic legacy. When the musical film Black is King was released in 2020, African audiences and some critics said it defamed and distorted the continent’s culture and history. They described its Afrocentric portrayal of Africa as “Wakanda-esque”, a reference…
By AFP A Rwandan court on Wednesday acquitted three journalists who had been detained for four years for allegedly spreading fake news, in a case rights groups derided as a sham. The three journalists — Damascene Mutuyimana, Shadrack Niyonsenga and Jean Baptiste Nshimiyima — were arrested in October 2018 during a crackdown on YouTubers critical of…
By THE CITIZEN Tanzania will step up vigilance against the importation of genetically modified (GM) crops after its neighbour Kenya approved the farming and importation of biotechnology crops. Some agriculture stakeholders, including consumers, in Tanzania had raised concern that GM foods might find their way into the country considering the proximity of the two countries. “We…
A vast and controversial East African oil project led by French oil giant TotalEnergies risks inflicting “unacceptable” damage, a report by two NGOs warned on Wednesday. Total and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) signed a $10-billion agreement earlier this year to develop Ugandan oilfields and ship crude through a 1 445-kilometre pipeline to…
Cancer in some rural areas and traditional settings tends to be mistaken for witchcraft. There are no working cancer treatment machines in Zimbabwe’s public hospitals. While blaming a lack of political will, cancer patients are forming support groups to ease their pain. For about a year and a half, Precious Mpofu, 42, nursed her mother…
An Ebola outbreak that began in September is spreading quickly in Uganda. So far, four healthcare workers have died battling the outbreak. This strain of Ebola isn’t covered by existing vaccines or treatments, so prevention is key. At least four healthcare workers are dead in Uganda as a dangerous strain of Ebola spreads in certain sections of the country.…
By Ashley Lime & Carolyne Kimbo BBC News, Nairobi A school dormitory in western Kenya burned down a few weeks ago and several students were arrested on suspicion of arson – just the latest instance of a devastating criminal pattern that has dominated the country’s education system for more than 30 years. Last year saw…
Captain Ibrahim Traoré was appointed president of Burkina Faso on Wednesday. The appointment comes less than a week after the latest coup in the West African country, the second in less than nine months. “The President of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration (MPSR) will serve as Head of State and Supreme Commander of the National Armed Forces. He is…
WHO chief earlier said UN agency is investigating deaths in the African country. India is investigating the deaths of dozens of children in The Gambia that the World Health Organization (WHO) said may be linked to a cough syrup made in the South Asian nation, two people from India’s health ministry have told the Reuters…