A 21-year-old Cameroonian student in China has become the first African known to be diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus. In a statement, Yangtze University said the student was being treated in hospital in southern Jingzhou city after contracting the illness while on a visit to Wuhan city, the epicentre of the outbreak. He had returned to Jingzhou, where he lived,… Read more »
The East African region could be on the verge of a famine if huge swarms of locusts devouring crops and pasture are not brought under control, a top UN official has told the BBC. It would create a food crisis, Dominique Burgeon, director of emergencies for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said. Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda… Read more »
The European Union has described as “astonishing” the extent of vote-rigging in last October’s elections in Mozambique. In their final report, published on Wednesday, EU observers gave a withering assessment of the polls, saying they found fraud at almost every stage of the process. The election – meant to help cement a peace deal in the southern African nation –… Read more »
Authorities say number of suspected cases increased from more than 700 to 1,708 as Nigeria grapples with epidemic.13 Feb 2020 The death toll in Nigeria from an outbreak of Lassa fever has risen to 70 as confirmed cases shot up, according to authorities. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Nigerian agency responsible for the management of disease outbreaks, said in its week… Read more »
Months before major election, Parliament passes law imposing jail terms for people whose internet posts stir unrest.24 hours ago Ethiopia‘s parliament has passed a law punishing “hate speech” and “disinformation” with hefty fines and long jail terms, despite rights groups saying it undermines free speech months before a major election. Nearly 300 legislators voted in favour of the bill on… Read more »
Far-left EFF leaders demand the country’s last apartheid-era president, FW De Klerk, be removed from Parliament.18 hours ago South Africa‘s far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) legislators have protested inside Parliament, forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to abandon his annual state of the nation address for a while. Speaker Thandi Modise on Thursday temporarily suspended proceedings, telling the EFF leaders: “When you think you… Read more »
Demonstrators demand electoral body chief resign after the country’s top court annulled last May’s election results.7 hours ago Protesters on Thursday padlocked Malawi’s electoral commission offices in a new bid to force the panel’s chief to quit after a top court overturned last May’s presidential elections. The Constitutional Court on February 3 annulled results that declared President Peter Mutharika, who had… Read more »
Talks resolve to send ‘those who face arrest warrants’ for war crimes to The Hague Jason BurkeAfrica correspondent, and Zeinab Mohammed Salih Tue 11 Feb 2020 13.00 ESTFirst published on Tue 11 Feb 2020 10.08 EST Sudan has suggested it is prepared to hand over the former dictator Omar al-Bashir to the international criminal court in The Hague to face trial for war crimes and crimes against… Read more »
Supported by wealthy foreign backers, a feared paramilitary outfit controls Sudan’s most lucrative industry, complicating the country’s path to democracyGlobal development is supported by Ruth Michaelson Mon 10 Feb 2020 02.00 ESTLast modified on Tue 11 Feb 2020 07.30 EST Ornate, heavy necklaces gleam on stands above stacks of thick filigree bangles in the windows of Khartoum’s gold market. The gold is Sudanese, dug… Read more »
Widespread corruption and deteriorating economy have contributed to rise in sexual bribery, say researchersGlobal development is supported by About this content Nyasha Chingono in Harare Sat 8 Feb 2020 04.00 ESTLast modified on Sat 8 Feb 2020 04.07 EST Zimbabwe has recorded an unprecedented number of women reporting being forced to exchange sex for employment or business favours. More than 57% of women surveyed by Transparency… Read more »