Abuja, Nigeria — Authorities in Nigeria’s Kaduna state are raising concerns jihadist insurgents have infiltrated their region and are calling on the federal government to intervene. State governor Nasir El-Rufai made the announcement during a quarterly security assessment. During the meeting, El-Rufai said Ansaru and Boko Haram fighters have been detected in two local government … Read more
Maputo, Mozambique — Mozambique’s parliament Thursday approved a tough new anti-terror law that imposes stiff prison sentences for convicted jihadis, but also for anyone spreading misinformation about the country’s insurgency. The measure, which calls for up to 24 years in prison for those found guilty of “terrorism” offenses had broad support, but the opposition fears … Read more
Elmar Brok, the head of the EU electoral mission, told reporters Friday that as Zimbabwe prepares for next year’s elections, it must amend its electoral laws so that all parties have a fair chance of winning at the polls. Brok and his team were assigned to Zimbabwe by Brussels to share their findings after their … Read more
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON — Cameron’s National Day on May 20 has been marked by running battles between government troops and separatists who imposed a lockdown, crippling business in English-speaking western regions. The military says at least 28 separatists who vowed to disrupt celebrations in English-speaking regions of the majority francophone nation were killed in violent battles. … Read more
Thika, Kenya — Most sanitary pads available for African women and girls are relatively expensive and classified as single-use plastics, which means some take hundreds of years to decompose. To help tackle this environmental problem, a woman-led Kenyan enterprise has created a low cost, biodegradable pad made from agricultural waste. From a distance, you might … Read more
washington — The United States said Thursday it has determined that “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Rusesabagina has been “wrongfully detained” by Kigali, which handed him a 25-year prison term. Rusesabagina, who holds U.S. permanent residence and Belgian citizenship, has denounced Rwandan President Paul Kagame as a dictator and was sentenced by a court on “terrorism” … Read more
Abuja, Nigeria — Families of people kidnapped from a train in Nigeria’s Kaduna state two months ago are protesting a decision by authorities to resume service on the railway next week. Officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said trains would begin running between the capital, Abuja, and Kaduna city again on Monday. Relatives of … Read more
The largest aid convoy to reach Ethiopia’s conflict-ridden Tigray region since the declaration of a truce in March arrived this week. While the effort marked progress for aid organizations scrambling to respond to the region’s humanitarian crisis, resources are spread thin as neighboring regions also require aid due to the conflict and severe drought. Linda … Read more
Zimbabwean villagers displaced more than a decade ago to make way for a joint government and Chinese-run diamond mine are still waiting for promised compensation and proper housing. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Mutare, Zimbabwe. Videographer: Blessing Chigwenhembe #Displaced #Villagers #Zimbabwe #Diamonds #Friend
Dressed in rainbow-colored vests, members of the LGBTQ community marched in a risky demonstration in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to protest a bill introduced by lawmakers in Nigeria’s lower house of parliament last month seeking to ban cross-dressing. The new measure calls for a punishment of six months in jail or a fine of about $1,200 … Read more
