The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed elements of its standby force to Benin Republic after a failed coup attempt by dissident soldiers seeking to overthrow President Patrice Talon. The attempted takeover began in the early hours of Sunday, when armed soldiers attacked the president’s residence in Porto-Novo. Shortly afterwards, a faction … [Read more…]
…Observer Missions, Former Heads Of Gov’t Trapped in Guinea‑Bissau The election observation missions to Guinea-Bissau set up by the African Union and Economic Community of West African States, and the West African Elders Forum, have condemned the halt of the announcement of presidential and legislative elections and subsequent military takeover in the West African country. … [Read more…]
At least eight people have been killed and 400 injured as thousands took to the streets in a day of protests across Kenya against President William Ruto’s government. Police clashed with protesters in the capital Nairobi and other cities exactly a year on from the wave of deadly anti-government demonstrations that hit the nation in … [Read more…]
Hausa has been officially adopted as Niger’s national language, replacing French, following an announcement by the military government. This decision was outlined in a new charter released on March 31, which declares that while Hausa will be the national language, English and French will remain the working languages. Hausa, already the most widely spoken language … [Read more…]
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-nations. The development comes as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement. According to an official statement … [Read more…]
The African Union (AU) has officially designated Nigeria as the Digital Trade Champion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol, citing the country’s leadership in digital enterprise and innovation. The endorsement came at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which concluded on Sunday in … [Read more…]
At least 19 people were killed in Chad after security forces thwarted an attempt by armed fighters to storm the presidential complex in N’Djamena, the capital. According to the government, the assault on the president’s office took place on Wednesday evening and resulted in the deaths of 18 out of 24 attackers, as well as … [Read more…]
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been elected Namibia’s president and will be the country’s first female leader, results released by the country’s electoral commission show. The 72-year-old won with 57 percent of the vote, according to official results declared on Tuesday by the electoral commission, flouting predictions that she might be forced into a run-off. “The Namibian nation … [Read more…]
Kenya’s President William Ruto nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy on Friday, hours after the Senate voted to impeach the last man in the job, Rigathi Gachagua. Ruto’s nomination of a close ally – who still needs to be approved by parliament – comes after a period of political turmoil, mass protests … [Read more…]
The Kenyan Senate has confirmed the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, marking the first time a deputy president in Kenya’s history has been removed from office. After two days of debate, 53 senators voted to uphold the motion, sealing Gachagua’s fate. Gachagua faced five charges, including misuse of public office, undermining judicial independence, and … [Read more…]
Ethiopia’s First Female President Sahle-Work Zewde Resigns Following Alleged Tensions with Prime Minister Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde resigned from office on Monday following a speculated disagreement with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Sahle-Work, the first woman to hold the ceremonial role in Ethiopia, has been head of state since 2018, representing a significant milestone for gender … [Read more…]
At least 17 killed in mass shooting in South African town Seventeen people, including 15 women, have been killed in two houses in close proximity to each other in a rural town in South Africa, according to the police. A search was under way for the suspects, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said in a … [Read more…]