In the news

Angolans living in the diaspora now have the right to vote and can participate in the general elections scheduled for August 2022, government said. People aged 18 and above have until 31 March to register, and the authorities say they hope to register about 450,000 Angolans spread across the world. …

Ghanaian authorities in Ghana have shut down Maxam Mining Company Limited – the company responsible for manufacturing, storing, and transporting explosive materials for mining operations in the country, after a deadly explosion last week. Ghana’s Chief Inspector of Mines has also been suspended. Investigations are under way, the authorities say, …

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the coup in Burkina Faso and said it holds the military responsible for the physical integrity of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré who is in detention. The regional bloc says it condemns this extremely serious act which cannot be accepted …

Human Rights Watch says hundreds of inmates may have died in last month’s prison fire in Burundi, and is calling for a “transparent investigation”, the BBC reports. The authorities have said no more than 46 people lost their lives. Survivors told Human Rights Watch the blaze engulfed several prison blocks …

Cars belonging to the presidency Burkina Faso have been found riddled with bullet holes near the home of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in the capital Ouagadougou. Mr. Kaboré was detained by mutinous soldiers who also reportedly took control of state television in the capital, Ouagadougou. Some troops in the …

Security forces in Burkina Faso have taken control of state television in the capital Ouagadougou as part of the coup that is believed to be underway, according to several sources. Reports say the military surrounded state television and there was no live programming on Monday morning, although it remained on …

At least sixteen people were killed and eight others injured in a fire that engulfed an upmarket nightclub in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé in the early hours of Sunday, the government said. The tragedy unfolded at Liv’s Night Club. “The incident was caused by the explosion of fireworks usually used in …

The president of Burkina Faso Roch Marc Christian Kaboré has been detained at a military camp in what can be called a coup, the Reuters reports. According to the news agency citing two security sources and a West African diplomat, president Kaboré had been detained by mutinying soldiers. Shots were …

Health officials in Eswatini announced that at least 10,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson expired vaccine will be destroyed, the Swazi Observer newspaper reports. According to the newspaper, the Johnson & Johnson vaccines expired on Tuesday last week and the country is expecting to receive more vaccines. The health minister …

Ethiopian army is planning to enter the Tigray regional capital of Mekelle and “eliminate” rebellious forces, a top military official said on Friday. In an interview with state-affiliated media outlet Fana broadcast, Ethiopian Defence Forces (EDF) deputy army chief General Abebaw Tadesse said the country would not be at peace …