AFRICA

They may have transformed the Sahara from lush paradise to barren desert Kampala, Uganda | DAVID K WRIGHT | Once upon a time, the Sahara was green. There were vast lakes. Hippos and giraffe lived there, and large human populations of fishers foraged for food alongside the lakeshores. The “African …

  Nyiragongo: Because it can erupt any time, residents and the government must have a plan  Kigali, Rwanda | KELLY RWAMAPERA | The Nyiragongo Mountain in eastern DR Congo is a spectacle to behold. Standing at 3,470 metres high (slightly lower than Mt. Elgon which is Uganda’s second highest mountain …

Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of Uganda, has signed a memorandum of understanding for two A330-800neo, the new version of the best-selling A330 widebody airliner, featuring new wings new Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines, new systems and a new Airspace cabin interior. The agreement was announced at Farnborough airshow by …

Abuja, Nigerai | ISAAC KHISA | South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has urged Nigeria to sign the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a single continental market for goods and services in member nations, with free movement of persons and investments. Ramaphosa, who was the chief quest during …

An opportunity to talk about the identities and unity of a divided continent Kampala, Uganda | MAHFOUD AMARA | Africa is the world’s second most populated continent; it is home to 54 countries. Yet, according to football umbrella body FIFA’s rules, only five African countries can qualify for the World …

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopia and Eritrea have agreed to reopen embassies and borders, Ethiopia’s prime minister said during a visit to Asmara on Sunday, signalling an end to two decades of conflict between the neighbours. “We agreed that the airlines will start operating, the ports will be …

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed was warmly greeted by Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki in the capital Asmara on Sunday at the start of a meeting to repair relations between the neighbours. Eritrean state television showed footage of the two men embracing while Abiy’s chief …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader and presidential hopeful Nelson Chamisa believes he will ride a wave of youthful optimism to election victory, emulating Barack Obama, Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau. In an interview with AFP, the 40-year-old Chamisa said Zimbabweans were craving generational change in the …

Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | Researchers from half a dozen states in West Africa have joined together in a battle against what one expert calls a root crop “Ebola” — a viral disease that could wreck the region’s staple food and condemn millions to hunger. Their enemy: cassava brown …

Kampala, Uganda | AFP | South Sudan’s warring leaders agreed to a power-sharing deal in Uganda Saturday that will see the rebel leader return to his position as vice president, Sudan’s foreign minister said. “It has been agreed that there will be four vice presidents: the current two vice presidents, plus …