Lalibela, Ethiopia | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron visited Djibouti and Ethiopia on Tuesday, promising “respectful” partnerships in the face of growing regional indebtedness to China, which is fast expanding its foothold in the continent. Looking to strengthen economic, military and cultural ties in East Africa, Macron announced a new defence …
Read More »Algerian protesters denounce Bouteflika ‘tricks’
Algiers, Algeria | AFP | Thousands of protesters returned to Algeria’s streets Tuesday after jubilation over President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s vow not to seek re-election gave way to fears of a plot to prolong his two-decade rule. In a surprise announcement Monday, the ailing 82-year-old said he would not stand for a …
Read More »No S.African bailout for Zimbabwe after Ramaphosa visit
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded a much-anticipated visit to Zimbabwe on Tuesday, dashing any lingering hopes that his country would bail out its economically-troubled neighbour. Ramaphosa commended the new administration of Emmerson Mnangagwa for its bid to revive the economy and promised to explore a number of options of financial help. …
Read More »Rwanda invites Macron to attend 25th anniversary of genocide
Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | Rwanda, which has accused France of complicity in the 1994 genocide that killed some 800,000 of its citizens, said Tuesday it had invited President Emmanuel Macron to attend the 25th anniversary of the massacre on April 7. Kigali has long insisted that France supported the Hutu regime and helped train …
Read More »Algeria’s Bouteflika drops bid for fifth term after protests
Alger, Algeria | AFP | Algeria’s ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced Monday he is dropping his bid for a fifth term in office, scrapping the upcoming elections altogether after weeks of protests against his candidacy. “Peacefully, we have overthrown the puppet!” people sang in Algiers following the president’s decision. Celebratory honking …
Read More »Nigeria vote tensions rise as counting suspended in volatile state
Port Harcourt, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s election authorities announced the suspension of activities in volatile opposition-held Rivers State on Sunday citing violence and threats to its staff, as tensions rise in the wake of closely-watched regional elections. Counting is continuing across the country after Saturday’s elections for governors in 29 …
Read More »Boeings grounded as search on for clues to deadly Ethiopia crash
Tulu Fara , Ethiopia | AFP | Airlines in Ethiopia, China and Indonesia grounded Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets Monday as investigators recovered the black boxes from a brand-new passenger jet that crashed outside Addis Ababa a day earlier, killing all 157 people on board. The Nairobi-bound plane — the same …
Read More »Bouteflika ‘returns’ to strike-hit Algeria from Geneva
Algiers, Algeria | AFP | Thousands of students and public transport workers went on strike in Algeria Sunday against Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term, as the presidency confirmed the ailing leader had returned from Switzerland. The plane carrying Bouteflika from Geneva — where he has been in hospital for …
Read More »UN confirms 19 staff killed in Ethiopian airlines crash
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The United Nations Department of Safety and Security has confirmed that it lost 19 of its staff members in the Ethiopian Airlines crash which killed more than 150 people yesterday. Among the dead are seven staff of the World Food Programme and two from the …
Read More »BREAKING: Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes, 157 dead
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | All 149 passengers and eight crew on board an Ethiopian Airlines flight died when it crashed shortly after takeoff en route to Nairobi on Sunday, Ethiopian state media reported. Quoting Ethiopian Airlines, Fana Broadcasting Corporate said the plane, which departed the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa …
Read More »