Africa

UN hits out at surge in extra-judicial ‘executions’ in DR Congo

KINSHASA, DR Congo (AFP) – The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday reported a surge in summary “executions” in the country, notably in the southern Kasai region. In 2017, “state agents” carried out 1,176 extra-judicial killings, “including at least 89 women and 213 children,” the United Nations Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) said in an annual report on human rights violations in the DRC. Such killings have tripled over the past two years, […]

Filipinos can now go to Rwanda visa-free

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that Filipinos can now go to Rwanda visa-free and stay for 90 days. This was approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cooperation of Rwanda. Rwandan nationals can also enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of not exceeding 30 days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey or their next point of destination. The DFA also said […]

Gambians enjoy freedom post-Jammeh, but criticise economy

by Emil TOURAY Agence France-Presse BANJUL, Gambia (AFP) – A year ago, Gambians wept for joy as Yahya Jammeh went into exile, bringing the curtain down on a brutal 22-year rule. Today, many say freedom of speech in this small west African state is a right they cherish under President Adama Barrow’s administration. “There is a democracy, everybody feels free. Disappearances without a trace — all that’s over now,” said teacher Kalipha Dampha, referring to the dreaded […]

Zimbabwe opposition figure Bennett dies in US chopper crash

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Leading Zimbabwe opposition figure Roy Bennett, one of long-time president Robert Mugabe’s most outspoken critics, has died in a helicopter crash in a remote area of the US state of New Mexico, authorities said Thursday. He was 60. Bennett was killed along with his wife Heather and three other people after the helicopter went down on Wednesday, New Mexico state police said. A crash survivor called 911 for help […]

E. Guinea leader denies opposition death in custody claims

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AFP) – Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema has rejected opposition claims that one of its activists died in custody after being tortured, and that some 200 of their number are under arrest. In an interview late Tuesday with French radio station RFI and France 24 television, Africa’s longest-serving president confirmed the death in custody of an opposition activist but put it down to ill health. “I think there are about 20 people” currently under […]

Tunisian government announces social reforms after week of unrest

by Kaouther Larbi Agence France-Presse TUNIS, Tunisia (AFP) – Tunisia’s government on Saturday announced an increase in aid to the needy and improved health care as part of social reforms following a week of unrest triggered by austerity measures. Social Affairs Minister Mohamed Trabelsi told reporters that monthly aid to needy families would rise from 150 dinars (50 euros) to between 180 and 210 dinars (60 and 70 euros). He said reforms which have been in […]

Football boss says to stand for Egypt president

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) – The head of Egypt’s legendary Zamalek football club, Mortada Mansour, said Saturday he would be standing in the presidential election in March. “I will be a candidate in the presidential election and I will start to collect sponsors,” he wrote on Facebook. He also confirmed his intention to run on a television show, saying he “had to gather about 25,000 signatures in 15 provinces in just 10 days”. The National Elections Authority […]

Third night of unrest in Tunisia as hundreds arrested

by Caroline Nelly Perrot with Kaouther Larbi in Tebourba Agence France Presse TUNIS, Tunisia (AFP) — A third night of unrest has shaken Tunisia where authorities said Thursday more than 600 people have been arrested this week as anger at austerity measures boils over on the streets. Tunisia is considered a rare success story of the Arab Spring uprisings that began in the North African country in 2011 and spread across the region, toppling autocrats. […]

200 arrested, dozens hurt in Tunisia unrest

by Caroline Nelly Perrot and Kaouther Larbi Agence France-Presse TUNIS, Tunisia (AFP) — More than 200 people have been arrested and dozens of police hurt during clashes in Tunisia, the interior ministry said Wednesday, as anger over austerity measures spilt over into unrest. The North African country has been hailed for its relatively smooth democratic transition since a 2011 revolt that sparked the Arab Spring uprisings, but seven years after the revolution tensions over economic […]

18 killed as minibus, truck collide in Guinea-Bissau

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AFP) — Eighteen people were killed and another 14 injured in the small west African state of Guinea-Bissau late Friday when a minibus collided with a truck, police and hospital sources said. One witness said the truck appeared to have been speeding when the driver lost control and collided head-on with the minibus near Bissauzinho, around 15 kilometres (15 miles) from the capital Bissau. Sources said the bus had been overloaded and that at least […]

18 dead, 254 injured as S.Africa train slams into truck

By Wikus de Wet Agence France-Presse KROONSTAD, South Africa – A passenger train smashed into a truck at a level crossing in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 18 people, injuring 254 and throwing several carriages off the rails. Flames ripped through the twisted wreckage and choking black smoke rose into the air as desperate passengers clambered out of the train traveling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg to escape the inferno. Tiaan Esterhuizen, who was traveling on […]

Clashes in Equatorial Guinea as government says it thwarted coup

  MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (AFP) — Clashes were reported in Equatorial Guinea near the border with Cameroon on Wednesday, shortly after the West African state said it had thwarted a coup against President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Africa’s longest-serving leader. Government troops had shot dead a “mercenary” and “used gunfire to disperse them in the forests along the border,” state television TVGE said, without specifying how many “mercenaries” were involved or how long the clashes lasted. Reports of […]