AFRICA

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The population explosion across Africa’s regional economic block has become a major danger to environmental conservation. Researchers in some of the blocks are observing new trends of environmental degradation and water pollution as humans search for survival in the environment. Dr. Divane Nzima, a …

Goma, DR Congo | AFP | At least 23 bodies were recovered on Sunday after a small plane believed to have been carrying 19 passengers and crew crashed on takeoff into a densely populated area of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. An official at Goma airport, Richard Mangolopa, …

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | AFP | Tanzania on Sunday held local government elections, viewed as a test case ahead of national polls next year, with the main opposition party boycotting the ballot citing violence and intimidation. The long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party of President John Magufuli is therefore …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP |  At least 12 people were killed in Kenya when their homes were swept away in a landslide during ferocious rainstorms, local government officials said Saturday. Their homes were hit overnight Friday amid torrential rains in Kenya’s West Pokot region, 350 kilometres (220 miles) northwest of …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP |  Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who led the ousting of Robert Mugabe, returned home Saturday, four months after he was airlifted to China for medical care, state media reported. Chiwenga, 63, who is seen as a major power-broker in Zimbabwean politics, had been in and …

Asmara, Eritrea | AFP |  Eritrean taxi driver Mihreteab recalls brimming with hope in July 2018 when his country reached a peace agreement with neighbour and longtime foe Ethiopia. But a year and a half later, that hope has given way to disenchantment. “I don’t see any changes so far. People …

Algiers, Algeria | AFP | Hundreds of Algerians took to the streets of the capital Thursday to protest against next month’s presidential election, despite a crackdown during which dozens were arrested. Around 300 protesters chanted “We will have freedom!” and “We will not retreat!” and banged on pots as motorists showed …

Dakhla, Western Sahara | AFP |  In the Oued Eddahab desert in Western Sahara, Habiboullah Dlimi raises dairy and racing camels just like his ancestors used to — but with a little help from modern technology. His animals roam free in the desert and are milked as camels always have been, …

Cotonou, Benin | AFP | Benin’s former leader Thomas Boni Yayi flew home Wednesday but hopes of an immediate meeting with President Patrice Talon were quickly dashed amid a rolling political crisis. Boni Yayi had quit the West African nation in June ostensibly for medical treatment, after being held under de-facto …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwean riot police fired tear gas and beat opposition supporters on Wednesday after barring a planned address by the main opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, AFP journalists said. Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the Harare headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) after the party …