Cote d’Ivoire: Ivory Coast: Presidential pardon -Soro concerned

Dakar — Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara granted presidential pardons to 51 civilians and military staff convicted of offenses committed during the post-electoral crises and for endangering state security, including General Dogbo Blé Brunot and Koné Kamaraté Souleymane said Soul To Soul. The latter was Guillaume Kigbafori Soro’s head of protocol when he was Prime

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Kenya scraps entry fee for South Africans and other foreign nationals

Kenya has waived entry fees for passport holders from South Africa and six other countries, following widespread criticism of the recently introduced $30 fee. The move aims to boost tourism and attract business travellers. Previously, all foreign passport holders were subject to visa requirements, but the government’s decision sparked backlash for potentially increasing travel costs

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Kenya: Antibiotic Use On Kenya’s Dairy Farms Is Putting Consumers and Animals At Risk

Farmers often use antibiotics to keep their livestock healthy. They’re sometimes used as “quick fixes”, to avoid more costly management measures like regular disinfection, waste management, routine vaccination or provision of clean drinking water. Animal husbandry now accounts for about two thirds of the global consumption of antibiotics. As livestock and fish production grows, by

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Somalia announces deal with Turkey to deter Ethiopia’s access to sea through a breakaway region

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud exchange gifts in the capital Mogadishu, 25 January 2015   –   Copyright © africanews Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP Last updated: 2 hours ago Somalia Somalia announced on Wednesday a defense deal with Turkey that includes support for the Horn of Africa nation’s sea assets and appears

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Senegal: Breaking the Election Deadlock

The Constitutional Council’s decision to overturn the postponement of presidential polls could provide a way out of the crisis. Opposition members from the Yewwi Askanwi parliamentary group have successfully challenged President Macky Sall’s attempt to delay the country’s elections. Several political prisoners were also released yesterday in response to domestic and international pressure. Sall’s decision

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Rwanda: Genocide

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) will close its Kigali field office on August 31 after almost 30 years of operations in the country. The information was shared by the mechanism’s registrar Aboubacar Tambadou during a press conference in Kigali, on Thursday, February 15. Tambadou noted that the decision was informed by the

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Senegalese citizens rally against presidential election postponement

The protest coincided with the Constitutional Council’s rejection of a law proposing the postponement of the presidential election, a decision welcomed by the demonstrators.   –   Copyright © africanews AP Photo Last updated: 9 hours ago Senegal Senegalese citizens took to the streets to protest against the potential extension of President Macky Sall’s term beyond April

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Liberia: UP Supporters Demand Forensic Audit

By Ramsey N Singbeh, Jr. Some Unity Party (UP) supporters in Margibi County are demanding a forensic investigation to clear their doubts about the usage of US$5,000 provided for each district to celebrate President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s inauguration. The UP partisans comprising Motorcyclists and Auxiliaries for Transparency and Accountability (MUPPCMATA) are making claims of alleged

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Nigeria: Experts Seek Robust Implementation of Health Sector Renewal Initiative

The initiative, launched by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, in December is part of the government’s strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Experts in Nigeria’s health sector have called for coordinated efforts in the implementation of the recently developed Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHISRII). The

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Nigeria: Hardship

Abuja — President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with governors and some security chiefs at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, over the current hardships in the country. It was reliably gathered that President Tinubu summoned the meeting in view of the economic hardship in the country as well as the recent upsurge of insecurity

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Senegal: 3 Dead, 60 Injured, at Least 271 Arrested, Journalists Assaulted During Protests

Nairobi — Senegal’s authorities should immediately open independent investigations into violence during protests on February 9 and 10, 2024, over delayed elections, Human Rights Watch said today. At least two young men and a 16-year-old boy died, while scores have been injured and at least 271 arrested. Demonstrations broke out in Dakar, the country’s capital

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Sudan: Communications Blackout

Port Sudan — El Sudani announced the gradual restoration of telecommunication and internet networks “to all cities of Sudan without exception” yesterday. The Sudatel terrestrial fibre optic network was also reportedly restored in large parts of the country. Sources of Radio Dabanga in several cities and towns confirmed that El Sudani networks were back up

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South Africa: Mpumalanga Delays Building of School for Learners With Disabilities

School was promised over 10 years ago Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) has called on the Mpumalanga Department of Education to speed up construction of the province’s first residential high school for learners with disabilities. Education MEC Reginah Mhaule promised in her 2012-3 budget speech that construction of the school, in the Mbombela muncipality, would

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West Africa: Nigeria Experiencing Stalled Per Capita Growth, Poverty, Food Insecurity

Advises complete phase out of fuel, electricity subsidies Following a detailed assessment, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said Nigeria is experiencing stalled per-capita growth, high poverty levels and significant food insecurity amid efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to implement crucial structural reforms. This was part of the conclusion of the IMF’s Executive Board

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UK plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda incompatible with human rights, parliamentary watchdog says

The British government’s plan to send some asylum-seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda is “fundamentally incompatible” with the U.K.’s human rights obligations, a parliamentary rights watchdog said Monday, as the contentious bill returned for debate in the House of Lords. Parliament’s unelected upper chamber is scrutinizing a bill designed to overcome the U.K. Supreme

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Nigeria: How the Lack of Trust Stifles Nigeria’s Economic Potential

The journey to rebuilding trust will not be easy. It requires sustained effort, unwavering commitment, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable realities. Rebuilding trust is not a one-dimensional task but a collective endeavour that requires commitment from the government, businesses, and civil society. As we strive to navigate the challenges of the global economy, restoring

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Southern Africa: U.S., Zambia, AFC Host Pgi Forum to Strengthen Investment in Lobito Corridor

His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, Amos Hochstein, Senior Advisor to President Biden, and Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) convened the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) Lobito Corridor Private Sector Investor Forum in Lusaka today. This is the first PGI Investor Forum outside

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Senegal: Tension mounts in Dakar as clashes erupt amid political unrest

Demonstrators protest President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the Feb. 25 vote, in Dakar, Senegal, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.   –   Copyright © africanews Stefan Kleinowitz/Copyright 2020 The AP. All rights reserved. Last updated: 11 hours ago Senegal The streets of Dakar, Senegal, became a battleground on Friday (Feb. 09) as simmering political tensions boiled over

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West Africa: Mali, Niger and Burkina Say They Don’t Feel Bound By One-Year Period to Leave Ecowas Ahead of Meeting

Mali reaffirmed its exit “without delay” from West African bloc Ecowas, saying it was not bound by the organisation’s one-year timeframe for withdrawal. A few hours later, Burkina Faso and Niger also said they intend to leave immediately. Bamako’s military government announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on 28

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Middle East conflict hits Africa and analysts examine impacts of African States’ exit from ECOWAS

The Middle East conflict, fueled by Houthi rebels disrupting Red Sea shipping routes, is casting a long economic shadow over Africa. As rising prices and supply chain disruptions grip nations already reeling from the pandemic, the urgency to de-escalate becomes paramount.  The following report explores the economic domino effect on African economies. Hafed Al-Ghwell, a Senior

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Africa: COP 10

Tobacco continues to affect the entire planet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of smokers is estimated at 1.1 billion smokers in 2025 if recent trends continue. The WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), during its tenth Conference of the Parties (COP 10), is currently examining in Panama the implementation of

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Africa: Nigeria Stuns South Africa

Two penalty goals sent this encounter into penalties, where South Africa-based Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali made two saves to send Nigeria into Sunday’s final. A cagey encounter between two past AFCON champions, Nigeria and South Africa, was settled on penalties after 90 minutes and extra time ended 1-1. William Troost Ekong scored for Nigeria in the

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UNHCR chief visits displaced families in Sudan amid escalating conflict

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, embarked on a poignant journey through Sudan, where he met with families torn apart by the devastating conflict ravaging the nation. Displaced from their homes and livelihoods by the ongoing turmoil, these families are enduring unimaginable hardships in displacement camps scattered across the country. With conflict engulfing

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Africa: Putting Survivors at the Forefront of the Global Movement to End Female Genital Mutilation

Joint Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, OHCHR High Commissioner Volker Türk, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation “ Today, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

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Senegalese frustrated as parliament backs postponement of Feb. 25 election

Illustration purposes: A demonstrator waves a national flag during a protest in Dakar, Senegal,May 12, 2023.   –   Copyright © africanews Leo Correa/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved. Senegal Senegal’s parliament backed late Monday (Feb. 05) the postpone****ment of the February 25 election and the extension of the mandate of president Macky Sall which was

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Africa: COP 10

A large group of premium tobacco producers and workers from a few tobacco growers’ countries, Colombia, Panama, Honduras and Nicaragua, have protested on February 5th in front of the Panama Convention Centre where the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP) of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), is currently taking place.

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Zimbabwe’s ruling party secures supermajority in Parliament

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zany-PF emerged winner of Saturday’s (Feb.03) by-elections held in Mashonaland East province. The party secured significant victories in several key constituencies, including Seke and Goromonzi South, and even achieved a clean sweep in the Marondera district. When general elections were last held ZANU-PF was 10 seats short of the two-thirds majority in parliament

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Burkina Faso becomes 2nd African country to include malaria vaccine in immunization program

For illustration purposes: Health officials prepare to administer the world’s first vaccine against malaria in a pilot program in Tomali, Dec. 11, 2019.   –   Copyright © africanews Jerome Delay/Copyright 2020 The AP. All rights reserved. Last updated: 05/02 – 19:00 Burkina Faso On February 5th, Burkina Faso became the second country in the African Region

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Africa: Blinken’s Trip Signals Growing U.S. Concern Amid Six Simultaneous Crises Across Africa

Washington, DC — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to four African countries – Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola – on January 21-26, 2024, demonstrates just how worried US policymakers are about recent developments in Africa. Despite the demands on his time from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, Secretary Blinken obviously

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Senegal’s Macky Sall postpones presidential election amid integrity concerns

In this Sunday Feb. 24, 2019 file photo Senegal’s incumbent President Macky Sall casts his vote during the presidential election   –   Copyright © africanews AP/Sylvain Cherkaoui By Euronews Last updated: 03/02 – 17:45 Senegal Senegalese President Macky Sall postponed the presidential elections due later this month in a decree announced on Saturday, citing controversies over

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Sudan: Former Sudan Minister

El Roseires / El Kawa — Former Sudanese Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Osman El Tom, issued a grave warning yesterday about the Blue Nile’s perilously low levels, attributing the decline to inadequate water inflow from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Speaking to El Taghyeer newspaper yesterday, El Tom predicted this situation will

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South Africa: Minister Zizi Kodwa Welcomes Decision to Suspend Auction of Nelson Mandela Items

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Mr Zizi Kodwa welcomes the decision by Guernsey’s Auction House to suspend the auction of items associated with former President Nelson Mandela. The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) confirmed that this auction was suspended following the agency’s engagement with Guernsey’s Auction House and Dr Makaziwe Mandela. Minister

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Africa: Briefing with USUN Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield on the Power of Democracy and the Future of Peacekeeping in Africa

New York — MODERATOR:  Good afternoon and welcome to everyone from the London International Media Hub, teaming up today with our colleagues from the Africa Regional Media Hub.  I’d like to welcome our participants who are logging in from across the African continent and globally to thank all of you for joining this discussion.  Today

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Malawi: Relief As Maize Prices Show a Considerable Declining Trend

Prices of maize, the country’s staple grain, have shown a declining trend following increased availability attributed to relief efforts, functionally Admarc and the lifting of an import ban. Research done one of the country’s leading dailies, The Nation, found that availability of maize in Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) outlets and distribution of free

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Italy’s Meloni opens Africa summit to unveil plan to boost development and curb migration

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni opened a summit of African leaders on Monday aimed at illustrating Italy’s big development plan for the continent that her government hopes will stem migration flows, diversify sources of energy and forge a new relationship between Europe and Africa. But the plan got a lukewarm and cautious reception initially, with African

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CAR: President Touadéra meets Pope Francis for talks on cooperation and diplomacy

Pope Francis speaks to President of the Central African Republic Faustin Archange Touadéra, left, during their meeting at the Vatican, Monday, April 18, 2016.   –   Copyright © africanews Alessandro Bianchi/AP Last updated: 17 hours ago Italy In a significant diplomatic encounter, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic engaged in discussions with Pope Francis

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South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa comments ICJ ruling on Gaza

Cyril Ramaphosa listens in Johannesburg, South Africa, the ruling from the top U.N. court that harshly criticized Israel’s war against Hamas, on Friday, Jan 26, 2024.   –   Copyright © africanews AP/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. Last updated: 2 hours ago South Africa South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Israel’s alleged crimes against Palestinians

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Rwanda: Witchcraft

Witchcraft is making headlines in Rwandan football for wrong reasons where players and coaches are believed to use ‘juju’ to harm their teammates while others believe in the powers of using witchcraft to win matches. This has left President Paul Kagame unimpressed to the extent that he decided to stop attending local football matches at

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ICJ to rule on South Africa’s request for interim measures in Israel genocide case

Protesters wave flags and banners outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.   –   Copyright © africanews Patrick Post/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved Last updated: 23 hours ago Netherlands The International Court of Justice is set to issue a decision on Friday regarding South Africa’s plea for

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Tanzania: Opposition resumes street protests calling for constitutional reforms

The party’s deputy chairman, Tundu Lissu, front, and supporters of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, protest in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.   –   Copyright © africanews AP/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved Last updated: 11 hours ago Tanzania In a significant development, hundreds of supporters of Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema

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Campaign against Malaria launched in Douala faces hurdles in initial phase

Africanews   –   Copyright © africanews Africanews Last updated: 9 hours ago Malaria In the economic capital of Douala, a campaign against malaria was officially initiated by the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The initiative aims to combat the prevalence

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Felix Tshisekedi sworn in for second term amid disputed election

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s incumbent leader Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn-in as the country’s president   –   Copyright © africanews The Democratic Republic of Congo’s incumbent leader Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn-in as the country’s president By Africanews Last updated: 9 hours ago Democratic Republic Of Congo Despite legal challenges and the dismissal of a

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Congo-Kinshasa: DRC President Tshisekedi Sworn-in for Second Term After Disputed December Elections

Kinshasa — The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn-in for a second five-year term of office, following a landslide victory his opponents have refused to recognise due to widespread irregularities . Tshisekedi took the oath of office this Saturday in Kinshasa’s 80,000-capacity Martyrs sports stadium that was packed with

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Lionel Richie reflects on iconic ‘We Are the World’ collaboration with Michael Jackson

Lionel Richie   –   Copyright © africanews cleared Michael Jackson Grammy-winning artist Lionel Richie takes a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about the iconic 1985 recording session of ‘We Are the World’ with the legendary Michael Jackson, whom he fondly refers to as ‘a Martian.'” “I’ve known Michael since he was about nine, ten, 12. But

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Congo-Kinshasa: President Félix Tshisekedi Takes Oath and Makes Inaugural Speech of Second Term

Kinshasa — The following are posts from the official X/Twitter account of the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo – @Presidence_RDC – translated from French by Google. President Félix Tshisekedi has just taken an oath before the Constitutional Court, solemnly swearing, among other things, to observe and defend the Constitution and the laws of

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Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi is sworn into office following disputed reelection

Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi waves to the crowd during his swearing in ceremony for a second term in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.   –   Copyright © africanews Guylain Kipoke/Copyright 2021 The AP. All rights reserved. Last updated: 5 hours ago Democratic Republic Of Congo Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was sworn

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Africa: Malaria Elimination

The recent certification of Cabo Verde by the World Health Organisation, WHO, as the third malaria-free country in Africa after Mauritius (1973) and Algeria (2019) offers valuable lessons for Nigeria in its fight against the disease. Cabo Verde’s success came from sustained commitment from the government. High-level political leadership ensured consistent funding, effective policy implementation

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Artificial intelligence dominates discussions at Davos as World Economic Forum closes

As the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos concludes, attendees reflect on the dominant theme that emerged during meetings, the discourse around artificial intelligence. The rapid ascent of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and its competitors over the past year has thrust the power, potential, and implications of AI into the forefront of public attention. OpenAI’s Chief, Sam

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East Africa: Ethiopia-Somalia Tensions Threaten Horn of Africa Stability

Nairobi, Kenya — The African Union, European Union, and United States called Thursday for an immediate cease-fire and constructive dialogue between warring factions in Sudan. The groups also called for an end to tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over an agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region Somaliland. Representatives of the groups, who spoke

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Opposition leaders call for nationwide protest in DR Congo on inauguration day

Leading opposition candidate Moise Katumbi, a millionaire businessman, adresses supporters at a rally in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.   –   Copyright © africanews Samy Ntumba Shambuyi/Copyright 2021 The AP. All rights reserved. By Agencies Last updated: 18/01 – 19:30 Democratic Republic Of Congo Three opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic

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Tanzania: 2025 General Election

Zanzibar: CCM National Chairperson, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has tasked party leaders, particularly at grassroots level to increase the number of members, especially the youth, for the party to stand a better chance to win the 2025 general election. Dr Samia made the plea here yesterday when she officiated at the launching of the refurbished

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Karim Wade’s presidential bid secured as France releases him from dual nationality allegiance

Africanews   –   Copyright © africanews Tanya Bindra/AP By Agencies Last updated: 17/01 – 19:20 Senegal The candidacy of Karim Wade appears to be on solid ground, with the confirmation of his renunciation of French nationality published in the ‘Official Journal.’ The resolution comes after a contentious dispute over the dual nationality of the Senegalese Democratic

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Ethiopia: Ethiopia Declines to Attend Upcoming IGAD Summit Due to ‘Overlapping Schedule’

Addis Ababa — The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed difficulty to attend the IGAD extraordinary summit proposed for 18 January 2024, owing to overlapping schedule. A letter issued by the ministry and addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti and the IGAD Secretariat, said “commitment to a prior

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Zimbabwe: USAID and WFP Join to Mitigate Food Insecurity Ahead of Zimbabwe Lean Season

Harare — Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a contribution of US$11.27 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Zimbabwe, ensuring that approximately 230,000 of the most vulnerable people in Mwenezi, Mangwe, Chivi, and Buhera districts will receive critical food assistance during the January to March 2024 lean season. In

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Kagame, Blinken meet in Davos

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, attends a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, right, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024   –   Copyright © africanews Markus Schreiber/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved Last updated: 16/01 – 19:08 Rwanda U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Rwandan President

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Nigeria: Ignoring Our Gallant Heroes

On Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary in October 2010, many observers of the military were astounded that President Goodluck Jonathan’s elaborate 45 minutes speech did not reference or acknowledge the role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in the country’s journey to that milestone. Neither did he pay any tribute to the souls of those

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