AFRICA

  Arusha, Tanzania | THE INDEPENDENT | The 21st Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Heads of State Summit initially scheduled for Saturday, 30th November, 2019 has been postponed to a later date in either January or February next year. EAC Secretary General Liberat Mfumukeko said Wednesday that the 21st Summit was postponed …

Goma, DR Congo | AFP |  Between 10 and 21 civilians were killed in two attacks by a notorious militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where government forces have vowed to root out armed groups, sources said Wednesday. Seven people were killed in the city of Beni and between …

Yenagoa, Nigeria | AFP |  Nigeria’s ruling party on Monday won the key oil-rich state of Bayelsa, the electoral body said, a sign of President Muhammadu Buhari’s growing influence in opposition strongholds. Residents cast their ballots in hotly-contested gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa and central Kogi state on Saturday in polls marred …

  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP |  Jawar Mohammed, a former ally turned foe of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, told AFP on Saturday he would join the race for a 2020 election to ensure that it is “free and fair”. Jawar, a media mogul and activist who was at …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Five Ugandans who were being detained in Rwanda have been deported. They are Gilbert Beingana, Amos Tibesiga and Nicholas Tumwesigye, all residents of Kabale district. Others include are Ivan Nirinyiyimana and Beatha Nyiramuco, from Kisoro district. The five were arrested last week for illegal …

Ong Jmal, Tunisia | AFP | Bass rhythms boom out across the Tunisian Sahara toward a herd of camels, lasers splash colours across the dunes and VIPs sip vodka in what was once a “Star Wars” movie set. The Dunes Electronique music festival, launched in 2014, was revived last weekend on …

Bamako, Mali | AFP | Twenty-four Malian soldiers and 17 jihadists fighters were killed in clashes in the east of the country, the army said, as security in the west African nation deteriorates further. Mali and Niger forces were carrying out a joint operation when a patrol was attacked Monday by …

Yenagoa, Nigeria | AFP |  Nigeria’s ruling party on Monday won the key oil-rich state of Bayelsa, the electoral body said, a sign of President Muhammadu Buhari’s growing influence in opposition strongholds. Forty-five candidates had taken part in the gubernatorial election on Saturday which was marred by sporadic violence, including killings, …

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP |  Members of Ethiopia’s Sidama ethnic group are expected to vote Wednesday to form a breakaway regional state — a milestone that risks further destabilising the country ahead of next year’s national elections. The Sidama push for statehood already triggered days of unrest in July that …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |   South African unions on Sunday called on all aviation workers to join striking South African Airways (SAA) staff after the cash-strapped airline failed to meet their demands. The country’s embattled flag carrier has been losing 52 million rand ($3.5 million) per day since more …