Washington, United States | AFP | Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than a half billion people live without electricity, trails the world in government policies that promote sustainable energy, according to a new World Bank report Wednesday. Much of the rest of the world, however, has made strides toward making energy …
Read More »Libya still in the mire as another anniversary passes
Tripoli, Libya | AFP | Libya’s transition has been bogged down by insecurity and chaos, leaving the country looking like a “failed state” six years after the NATO-backed uprising that ended Moamer Kadhafi’s rule. “We got rid of one dictator only to see 10,000 others take his place,” said Fatma …
Read More »Ex-boss of Nigerian oil firm being probed over $10mn cash ‘gift’
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | A former head of Nigeria’s state-run oil company is under investigation after almost $10 million in cash was found at a property he owns. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an anti-corruption agency, said it had seized $9.8 million (9.2 million euros) from a …
Read More »‘No risk’ in Benin after truck with chemical for nuclear production crashes
Paris, France | AFP | The French nuclear group Areva said Tuesday a truck carrying a chemical used in the uranium fuel process had tipped over in Benin, but there was “no risk” of contamination. The accident occurred in the West African country on Sunday near Dassa, about 200 kilometres …
Read More »Army-worms leave destruction in South Africa
On a South African farm, despair over attack Onderstepoort, South Africa | AFP | Peeling back the maize plant’s leaves reveals a small brown caterpillar — an armyworm that writhes as it burrows into the heart of the crop, producing a sticky dark paste. Eighty percent of the Prinsloo family’s …
Read More »Gambia to remain in ICC, notifies UN of change
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | The Gambia’s new government has asked the United Nations to halt the process of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) begun by the regime of former leader Yahya Jammeh. The Hague-based court, set up in 2002, is often accused of bias against African nations, …
Read More »Burundi govt again refuses crisis talks with opposition
Mediator Benjamin Mkapa and Burundi’s foreign minister Nyamwite at previous talks.Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi’s government affirmed Tuesday it will shun peace talks with opposition figures planned for later this week in Tanzania, dragging out a political crisis that has stretched for over a year. The talks are intended …
Read More »US to give Uganda $25 mn in aid for refugees
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | The United States will give over $25 million in humanitarian aid to Uganda, to help the nation cope with a huge influx of refugees fleeing conflict in east Africa, the US ambassador in Kampala said Tuesday. Uganda is hosting more than a million refugees, nearly …
Read More »Rwanda to reject low quality imports
President Kagame makes pledge during visit to SEZ President Kagame on Jan.07 toured the Special Economic Zone where he visited four factories manufacturing different products within the ‘Made in Rwanda’ framework. While addressing business people with operations within the Special Economic Zone at the conclusion of the tour, President Kagame …
Read More »South Sudanese general Swaka resigns, citing ‘ethnic cleansing’
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | A senior South Sudanese general has quit, accusing President Salva Kiir and top members from his majority Dinka tribe of “ethnic cleansing,” according to a resignation letter obtained by AFP Sunday. Lieutenant-General Thomas Cirillo Swaka is the country’s deputy chief of general staff for logistics …
Read More »