Africa

The new leader of a jihadist group in Nigeria linked to Islamic State in West africa has been killed by security forces, Babagana Monguno the Nigerian national security adviser said on Friday. Babagana Monguno has announced that Malam Bako, who recently succeeded Abu Musab al-Barnawi as leader of the Islamic …

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble have reportedly agreed to end a bitter rift that had threatened to derail the country’s long-delayed elections, reports said. The row between the two leaders had also risked splitting Somali security forces. It was sparked by the government’s handling …

The World Bank has warned that the rapid rise in energy prices seen in Europe and parts of Asia won’t ease until the second half of next year, and it will have a knock-on effect on Africa, the BBC reports. It says the global economy is struggling to satisfy a …

The Egyptian activist Mozn Hassan who had been accused of receiving foreign funding to harm national security says the authorities have closed the case against her, after more than five years of an asset freeze and travel ban. A judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to press charges against …

Lawmakers in Benin have passed a law to legalize abortion in the country, expanding on the restricted circumstances where the practice was already permitted. Abortion, which was legally permitted only in limited situations such as rape or incest, or if the mother’s life was threatened, will now be possible for …

Military leaders in Guinea have eased Covid-19 restrictions, including ending a night curfew and suspending a requirement for prior authorisation to transport bodies outside the capital, Conakry. The military junta, the National Rally and Development Committee (CNRD), on Twitter posted : “The curfew is lifted; advance requests for authorisation to …

Nigerian separatist Nnamdi Kanu has pleaded not guilty to charges of terrorism and treason after appearing in court on Thursday. His appearance in court was the first time he had been seen in public since he was captured abroad and repatriated in June. Mr Kanu’s initial arrest in 2015 triggered …

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) delegation, led by a former South African minister, is due to meet with King Mswati III there, after violent protests in recent days in Eswatini. According to civil society, at least seven people were killed this Wednesday, October 20, 2021 during a demonstration against …

A Ugandan special presidential assistant for underprivileged youth, Resty Kiguli Nakayenga has been arraigned in court and charged with abuse of office. Nakayenga, 68, a resident of Kyaliwajala -Namugongo, appeared before the Kololo based Anti-Corruption Court and denied the accusations. She is jointly charged with 32-year-old James Batenda, a resident …

More than 700,000 people have been displaced by the worst floods to hit South Sudan in decades, according to figures by the United Nations. At least 40 people have died across the country as heavy rains and flash floods destroy livestock, farmlands and homes. Some of those who have fled …