Former Zambian President Rupiah Bwezani Banda, 85, died at home on Friday after a short battle with colon cancer, his family and the presidency announced. Banda, Zambia’s fourth president who was in power from 2008 to 2011, was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and had been receiving medical treatment. …
Read More »Ethiopian rights group accuses rebels of killing and torturing hundreds of civilians
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 …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa appoints new Justice Chief
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Raymond Zondo as the country’s new chief justice, the presidency said in a statement on Thursday following a public selection process. Approved by political parties, Judge Raymond Zondo is hailed for his long experience in the judicial field. But Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom …
Read More »Kenya lifts all mandatory restrictions against coronavirus
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 …
Read More »Nigeria: Lagos cracks down on sex offenders by publishing details
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 …
Read More »South Africa called upon to mediate in Ukraine war
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said his country has been approached to play a mediation role in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Mr Ramaphosa did not say who had made the approach but said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and urged him to …
Read More »Nigeria: Customs intercept bags of donkey meat in Kebbi State
Customs officials in Nigeria say they have intercepted 1,390 sacks of donkey meat in the north-western state of Kebbi near the border with Niger, local media reported. The head of the customs in the region, Joseph Attah said initial investigations suggested about 1,000 donkeys were slaughtered and their meat packed …
Read More »Tanzania: authorities launch yellow fever vaccination campaign
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 …
Read More »Health: Pfizer to supply Covid pills to Africa
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer is set to supply Africa’s top health body with its coronavirus pill. The drug, Paxlovid, is intended for use soon after symptoms develop in people at high risk of severe disease. Africa CDC director John Nkengasong, said paperwork for the deal between the Africa Centres for Disease …
Read More »Security: Ukraine withdraws peacekeepers from DR Congo
Ukraine is to withdraw all of its forces from UN peacekeeping missions in Africa and Europe so they can be redeployed to fight invading Russian troops at home. Its biggest mission was in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where about 250 Ukrainian troops had been serving. They will soon leave …
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