Africa

The Nigerian military has urged residents of Plateau state not to arm themselves, as local politicians advised a few weeks ago. Last week, Plateau’s parliament said as the security forces could no longer guarantee people’s safety, they should take up arms. But the self-arming decision has not been welcomed by …

Bishop Julius Agbortoko has been kidnapped by separatists in the south-west of the country. Church officials say he has been abducted by a group of young men who demand a ransom. Armed rebels have frequently kidnapped people including religious leaders since the separatist conflict began four years ago. Anglophone rebels …

Cholera disease continues to wreak havoc in West Africa. The epidemic has killed 83 people in Niger, where authorities have recorded more than 2,300 cases since March 13. Out of Niger’s eight regions, six are said to have been affected by the outbreak, which has been worsened by floods. Read …

About 100,000 Kenyans have not yet received a second dose of the Covid vaccine and many are thought to be holding out for the arrival of other vaccines which they judge to be more effective. The head of Kenya’s vaccine task force warns that many Kenyans risk becoming severely ill …

Zambian former president Edgar Lungu’s Facebook account has been deactivated. Several Zambians on Twitter say the account was deactivated because of cyber bullying. People had been making mean comments on Mr Lungu’s Facebook page that had more than one million likes. The former head of state’s Twitter account is still …

Researchers in South Africa have detected a new variant of the coronavirus. The C.1.2 strain which has multiple mutations, has not yet been labelled as a variant of concern. Cases of the variant have been recorded in all provinces in South Africa and seven countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and …

In a statement published on its website, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says leaded petrol has been eradicated from the world. The agency described the end of the use of leaded petrol as a “huge milestone”. The fuel has contaminated the atmosphere, drinking water and crops for nearly a …

In a statement marking the International Day of the Disappeared, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said more than 44,000 people, 45% of them children, are currently declared missing across Africa. About 82% of those missing are said to be from just seven countries with armed conflicts. According …

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi denounced the sale of cards proving vaccination against Covid-19. He said the action “endangers the health and life of all”. President Nyusi urged the public to be vigilant. “We want to draw attention, once again, to regret the situation of buying and selling vaccination cards. This …

After two-month delay, national exams will now resume in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). At least 600,000 students are sitting for their final secondary school examinations. The examinations were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The examination has kicked off across the country and will last four days. …