AFRICA

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Munching, the giraffe looks up towards the skyscrapers looming in the distance. But this picture-postcard image of Nairobi, one where wild animals graze in the shadow of the cityscape, is at risk from a railroad. A unique urban conservation site, the Nairobi National Park is …

Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | A linguistics professor wanted for alleged involvement in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide has been extradited from the United States, the government announced Thursday. Leopold Munyakazi, 65, arrived in Kigali on Wednesday night aboard a charter flight from the US, said a statement posted on the website …

The Hague, Netherlands | AFP |  The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Thursday she was opening an initial probe into deadly unrest in Gabon sparked by disputed elections. The government of Gabon had asked the court to open an investigation “without delay” accusing supporters of opposition leader …

Libreville, Gabon | AFP |  Gabon’s President Ali Borno, newly sworn back into power, on Wednesday appointed a prime minister to form what he called an “inclusive government” following disputed elections. His wafer-thin victory in the August 27 vote sparked deadly unrest and opposition accusations of voter fraud in the …

Washington, United States | AFP |  The US Treasury placed two top allies of Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila on its sanctions blacklist Wednesday, tying both to rising political violence and human rights violations. The Treasury said both were involved in violently putting down opposition to Kabila and …

Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP |  At least 10 people have died in an outbreak of monkeypox in western Central African Republic, a country already hit by cholera, the health ministry announced Wednesday. “We have logged 10 deaths out of 19 patients,” in the southern province of Basse-Kotto, said …

Dakar, Senegal | AFP | When farmer Isaac Tondo fell on lean times in Liberia’s long rainy season, his brother in the capital sent 8,000 Liberian dollars (US$87) to his Lonestar mobile money account, ensuring his children’s school fees would still be paid. Across Africa more and more people — …

Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Ali Bongo was sworn back in as Gabon’s president Tuesday, calling for unity after a disputed election win that sparked deadly unrest and revealed deep divisions in the oil-rich country. He pledged to ensure “equal opportunities” for all and to push through a 2025 programme …

The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | War crimes judges Tuesday found a Malian jihadist guilty of destroying Timbuktu’s fabled shrines, and were set to pass sentence amid hopes the court will send a strong message to help safeguard the world’s ancient monuments. A three-judge bench began handing down its judgements …

Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Ali Bongo will be sworn in on Tuesday as Gabon’s president for a second seven-year term, his office announced, three days after his election victory was controversially validated by the constitutional court. The ceremony will be held at the seafront presidential palace in Libreville, the …