Sudan crisis People across Sudan have joined mass protests over the military’s takeover, as they mark the third anniversary of a popular uprising. Hundreds of thousands marched in the capital Khartoum, where security forces responded with tear gas. Demonstrations in 2019 led to the overthrow of Sudan’s long-term authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir. Civilian and […]
This week the European Union imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organisation accused of committing human rights abuses in the Central African Republic and elsewhere. The EU has said that it will no longer train CAR government soldiers because of their links to Wagner. In Africa, its fighters are also involved in […]
By Nduka Orjinmo & Victor Ezeama BBC News, Abuja & Lagos New rules that require people to confirm their Covid status before attending large gatherings in Nigeria’s biggest city are being largely ignored, reflecting a general indifference towards the pandemic, despite a recent surge in cases. While the UK added, and then removed, Nigeria to […]
Tigray crisis Rebels from Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have retaken the historic town of Lalibela, witnesses have said. There was reportedly no exchange of fire as the town, a UN World Heritage site, swapped hands. Lalibela, home to ancient rock-hewn churches, had been captured by Tigrayan forces in August, but they lost control to […]
By Nicola Morrison BBC Monitoring An investigation by South Sudan’s government has found that senior officials may not have tested properly for Covid-19 before travelling overseas. President Salva Kiir was forced to cancel a trip to Qatar in November after several members of his staff who went ahead of him tested positive for the virus […]
Coronavirus pandemic Ghana is introducing some of the world’s strictest Covid travel rules, by banning any adult who has not been vaccinated from flying in with effect from Monday. There is no option to self-isolate. Ghanaian citizens and residents abroad are exempt for up to two weeks, but will be required to get jabbed […]
Tigray crisis The World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended distribution of food aid in two northern Ethiopian towns after gunmen looted its warehouses. Looters from rebel Tigrayan forces held aid staff at gunpoint in the town of Kombolcha, the United Nations said. They stole large quantities of essential food supplies – including some for […]
By Paul Melly Africa analyst Sahel Islamist insurgency It all started so positively. Where have things gone wrong? Why does France now appear so unpopular in Africa? French President Emmanuel Macron has increased aid to the continent, begun the return of cultural artefacts stolen during the colonial wars and reached out beyond the usual inter-government ties […]
By Patience Atuhaire BBC News, Kampala Ugandan forces have once again crossed the country’s western border to go into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Previous incursions have been extremely controversial with troops in the past fighting soldiers from Rwanda, carrying out atrocities and plundering the country’s natural resources. But this time it is with the […]
Tigray crisis Ethiopian authorities have closed all secondary schools so pupils can harvest crops for those on the frontline of the civil war, state-affiliated media says. The closure will last for one week, according to the education minister. More than 2 million pupils were already out of school due to the war which started […]
