central Africa

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo said they have scrapped visa requirement for Kenyans travelling in their country. DR Congo’s Director General of Migration Roland Kashwantale Chihoza announced the move in a statement on Wednesday. It is a reciprocal move after Kenya said last month that it was waiving …

The deposed president of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is “free to move” and “can go abroad, if he wishes,” Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi, putshists spokesman announced on state television. Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi was reading a press release “signed” by General Oligui, who now heads the transition. Ali Bongo, in power for …

East African heads of state on Tuesday unanimously agreed to extend the deployment of the regional military force in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The decision happens a week after DR Congo military officials killed 43 and arrested 168 protestors who were demanding the withdrawal of East African troops and …

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), says it has suspended Gabon’s membership in response to last week’s coup. Earlier on Monday the coup leader, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, was sworn in as transitional president. He seized power just after Ali Bongo was declared to have won a third …

The lawyers of Sylvia Bongo, Franco-Gabonese wife of deposed Gabonese president Ali Bongo, filed a complaint in France on Friday for arbitrary detention, Me François Zimeray and Jessica Finelle announced to AFP. Since the military seized power in Gabon last Wednesday, deposed President Ali Bongo and his wife Sylvia Bongo …

At least 48 civilians and a policeman died Wednesday in Goma in a military operation intended to prevent a demonstration against the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to an internal document of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) consulted on Thursday. According to this document authenticated by military …

The African Union announced the suspension of Gabon from all its activities, following Wednesday’s military takeover, which it strongly condemned. The decision followed a meeting on Thursday of the bloc’s Peace and Security Council. Earlier, the Gabonese junta said it would phase in what it is calling transitional institutions after …

Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, insisted on Thursday on the difference between the coups in Niger and Gabon, declaring that the elections in Gabon were marred by irregularities. “Naturally, military coups are not the solution but we must not forget that in Gabon there were elections full of …

Gabon’s putschists have appointed the head of the Presidential Guard, General Oligui Ngema Brice, to lead the country after the overthrow of President Ali Bongo. “General Oligui Nguema Brice has been unanimously appointed as president of the Commission for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI),” Colonel Ulrich Manfounbi, spokesman …

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose re-election after 14 years in power had just been announced, has been “retired”, said Wednesday the head of the Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema. Ali Bongo, currently under house arrest, “is retired, he enjoys all his rights. He is a normal Gabonese, like …