Politics and society

Authorities in Cameroon have banned the smoking of shisha pipes, arguing that it poses a health risk to the mostly young people who use it in bars and at home. Cameroon’s Ministry of Health has banned smoking shisha, a typical mixture of tobacco, molasses, glycerin and flavorings. Doctors say there …

At least 53 people died in western Ethiopia after an unidentified armed group attacked a civilian convoy and its military escort in a region plagued by ethnic violence, Reuters agency reports, citing a rights body appointed by the government on Sunday. The previously unreported attack occurred on March 2 in …

The Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has banned the export of foodstuffs that the country imports, the state news agency reported. According to the agency, which quoted a source, the president described as economic sabotage the fact of selling foodstuffs that the country does not produce locally. The commodities include sugar, …

The Ethiopian human rights body has accused rebels of killing at least 750 civilians in the northern Afar and Amhara regions in the second half of last year. More than half died in air strikes and heavy artillery fire, it said, adding that the rest died in extra-judicial killings. It …

Kenyan authorities have announced the lifting of coronavirus restrictions and are now allowing people not to wear face masks in open places. The health ministry said mandatory quarantine and isolation of confirmed cases are also removed. The government however encouraged people attending events indoors to wear face masks and while …

The Lagos state government in Nigeria has started publishing details of convicted sex offenders in the state, including names and pictures, local media reported. It is part of a crack down on domestic abuse and gender based violence, under provisions given by section 42 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence …

Tanzania has launched a yellow fever vaccination campaign after the discovery the disease in neighbouring Kenya, the country’s health ministry announced. Authorities launched the vaccination campaign after about 15 people contracted the disease and three people died from it. Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu has directed provincial referral hospital officials to …

At least 60 people have tested positive for coronavirus among Nigerians evacuated from Ukraine, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has said. More than 700 Nigerians have returned home from Ukraine as the government hopes to evacuate approximately 5,000 citizens. “60 people among them have tested positive for the …

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of more than 60 vigilantes in Kebbi State and urged security forces in the country to be ‘’more pro-active’’. Mr Buhari, who condemned the killings, described them as brutal murders by outlaws. The latest violence happened in Kebbi state on Sunday night …

Nigerian lower house of parliament has agreed to reconsider three of five rejected gender-equality bills after demonstrations across the country by hundreds of women. Last week parliament rejected a bill that would have seen special additional seats created for women in national and state parliaments. Singing songs and carrying placards …