AFRICA

Algiers, Algeria | AFP | Army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who has called for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s departure, has until now been a faithful supporter of the leader who made him one of Algeria’s most powerful men. Born in 1940 in the Batna region, 300 kilometres (186 miles) southeast of Algiers, …

Southern Africa leaders back Western Sahara at ‘historic’ talks Pretoria, South Africa | AFP | Several southern African leaders on Tuesday threw their support behind Western Sahara, with one calling the disputed territory the “last colony” on the African continent. Also attending is Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. President Cyril Ramaphosa, leader …

Algiers, Algeria | AFP | Algeria’s army chief called Tuesday for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be declared unfit to govern, following weeks of mass protests calling on the ailing leader to step down. General Ahmed Gaid Salah said in a televised speech the “way out of crisis … is in Article …

  Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | AFP | Tanzanian president John Magufuli has gifted the national team players with parcels of land as a token for qualifying to the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. On Sunday Tanzania thumped east African rivals Uganda 3-0 to reach the finals for the …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | A powerful cyclone that pummelled southern African countries earlier this month has left survivors facing “a ticking bomb” of looming disease outbreaks, the Red Cross chief warned Monday. Cyclone Idai smashed into Mozambique’s coast 10 days ago, unleashing hurricane-force wind and rain that flooded swathes …

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP |  A maths and physics teacher from a secondary school in a remote village in Kenya’s Rift Valley has won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize for 2019, organisers have said. Peter Tabichi, who organisers say gives away 80 percent of his monthly …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Factfiles of 24 qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt between June 21 and July 19: Algeria Qualifying results: Benin 2-0 home 0-1 away, Gambia 1-1 1-1, Togo 1-0 4-1 Scorers: Bounedjah 3, Mahrez 2, Abeid, Attal, Bensebaini, Hanni 1 each Coach: …

Beira, Mozambique | AFP | The death toll in Mozambique on Saturday climbed to 417 after a cyclone pummelled swathes of the southern African country, flooding thousands of square kilometres, as the UN stepped up calls for more help for survivors. Cyclone Idai smashed into the coast of central Mozambique …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ugandan government has committed to facilitate a dignified return of refugees to countries that have been declared safe.  State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Musa Ecweru says that Uganda cannot just let refugees return home until it’s assured of their safety. The …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  Defending champions Cameroon are among 21 countries hoping to fill one of 10 places up for grabs this weekend in the final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Indomitable Lions will be among the 24 finalists in Egypt this June provided they avoid …