Authorities in Ghana have denied introducing a mandatory insurance scheme for all travellers arriving in the country through the country’s main airport, the BBC reports. The National Insurance Commission (NIC) said the scheme popularly known as “Akwaaba” had not been approved and any reports that it had should be disregarded. …
Read More »Ethiopia: General Bacha Debele appointed ambassador
The man who has been the face of the conflict in Ethiopia – senior army commander General Bacha Debele has been appointed as an ambassador. Details of his destination have not yet been revealed by the president’s office. On Wednesday, the president’s cabinet said it intended to end the state …
Read More »Zambia: at least 100 newborn babies die every week
Mistakes made during childbirth lead to the deaths of more than 100 babies in Zambia every week, Sylvia Masebo, the country’s minister of health, has said. Between 10 to 15 women also die each week due to preventable complications from pregnancy or childbirth, the minister is quoted as saying by …
Read More »Uganda: President Museveni condemns military coups in West Africa
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has condemned military coups that have become commonplace in West Africa. The last dates from January 24 when soldiers from Burkina Faso overthrew President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. West Africa has experienced several military coups in the past two years, notably in Mali, Guinea and recently …
Read More »US strikes $2 billion arms deal with Egypt amid rights issues
The US State Department has approved the sale of 12 military transport planes to Egypt, in a deal worth more than $2 billion, the BBC reports. Air defence radar systems and other related equipment are also being sold for another $300m. The arms sales come despite recent criticism from the …
Read More »Burkina Faso: who is Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the coup leader?
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is the leader of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration (MPSR) which overthrew the President of Burkina Faso Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. Here are some things we should know about him: Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been at the forefront of the country’s fight against Islamist militants,The …
Read More »Burkina Faso: AU and UN urged coup leaders to release president
International pressure is mounting on Burkina Faso’s coup leaders to release deposed President Roch Kaboré, following claims by his party that he had survived an assassination attempt. UN chief António Guterres’s spokesman said he was following developments in Burkina Faso with “deep concern”, and was “particularly worried” about the whereabouts …
Read More »Kenya: United Arab Emirates flight ban lifted
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Chief Executive Gilbert Kibe has announced the lifting of the ban on all flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday. Kenya has suspended all inbound and transit passenger flights from the United Arabs Emirates, two weeks ago. The ban did not affect cargo …
Read More »Mali: Danish troops ordered to leave the country immediately
The Malian government has asked Denmark to immediately withdraw a contingent of troops deployed in the country as part of an international counter-terrorism force. According to the interim government, the deployment of about 90 Danish soldiers had taken place without its consent. The Danish government says it’s in touch with …
Read More »Malawi: president Lazarus Chakwera sacks entire cabinet
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has sacked his entire cabinet which he has accused of corruption and promised to form a new cabinet in two days. In a televised address to the nation on Monday, the president vowed to “confront all forms of lawless conduct by public officials”. In the aftermath …
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