AFRICA

Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | The president of the Central African Republic on Wednesday accused militias of exploiting religious tensions a day after at least 24 people in the capital died in attacks that targeted a church and a mosque. Around 170 people were also wounded, sparking fears that …

Antananarivo, Madagascar | AFP | Madagascar’s defence minister has appealed to warring political parties to reach an agreement, as anti-government protests in the capital continued for a twelth day. President Hery Rajaonarimampianina has refused to yield to opposition demands that he resign, seven months ahead of a general election. The opposition …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria has banned cough syrups containing the painkiller codeine because of concern about misuse and addiction, the government said. Health Minister Isaac Adewole said the ban was introduced because of “the gross abuse codeine usage has been subjected to in the country”. The announcement late …

Benguela, Angola | AFP | Angolan President Joao Lourenco has named diversifying the oil-dependent economy as his top priority after he became the country’s first new leader in 38 years. And one natural and readily available resource that has been identified is fish — but a lack of equipment and …

NAIROBI | Business Wire | The Board of Directors and Management of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) are pleased to announce the appointment of Njuguna Ndung’u as the next AERC Executive Director effective September 1, 2018. Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u is well known to the AERC network as a trainer and …

Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor arrived in Kinshasa on Tuesday, the ICC said, following requests to investigate deadly violence in DR Congo. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is due to meet with government officials and judicial institutions and hold a press conference on Thursday, the …

Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon’s government resigned on Tuesday, the day after the constitutional court dissolved the national parliament and also called for the country’s leadership to step down over election delays. Prime Minister Emmanuel Issozet Ngondet “submitted the resignation letter of his government following the decision of the constitutional …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi on Tuesday launched the official campaign for a referendum on constitutional change that could enable President Pierre Nkurunziza to stay in power for another 16 years. Twenty-six parties, most of them aligned with the ruling CNDD-FDD party, have been authorised to campaign for the …

Kano, Nigeria | AFP | Dozens of people were killed on Tuesday when two suicide bombers detonated their explosives at a mosque and a market in Mubi, northeast Nigeria, residents said. “We have evacuated dozens of dead and injured people to the hospital and the rescue operation is still ongoing,” …

Kano, Nigeria | AFP | At least 10 gold miners were killed by armed men suspected to belong to a kidnapping and cattle rustling gang in the northern Nigeria state of Kaduna, police said Sunday. The bandits opened fire on a group of gold miners at a small-scale mine in …