Harris to pledge support for African innovation in Ghana
March 28, 2023 GMTACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will pledge a new era of partnership with Africa on Tuesday when she speaks from Black Star Gate, which commemorates Ghana's independence from colonialism.
Wind industry predicts bounceback and rapid growth in 2023
March 27, 2023 GMTThe wind power industry on Monday projected growth to rapidly accelerate this year, with incentives and policy changes in key nations helping to overcome factors that led to a slowdown in 2022.
Many rely on radio broadcasts in Zimbabwe and across Africa
March 27, 2023 GMTHARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Just the size of his hand, the radio set hung in the busy marketplace stall is essential to Mark Nyabanda.
“I can’t do without it,” said the 25-year old, taking a break from selling fertilizer in Mbare market in the capital, Harare, to listen to a radio weather report warning of possible floods.
Anti-government protests in Kenya hit Nairobi for 2nd week
March 28, 2023 GMTNairobi, Kenya (AP) — Thousands of anti-government protesters marched on the streets of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Monday despite the government's declaration that the protests are illegal.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga joined protesters on the western side of the capital where his convoy attracted thousands of supporters and he addressed them at various stops calling for electoral justice and reduced prices for food items.
Rebels kill at least 17 people in troubled eastern Congo
March 27, 2023 GMTKINSHASA, Congo (AP) — At least 17 people were killed by rebels in eastern Congo, local authorities said on Monday.
The people were abducted while driving on a road and then killed by the CODECO militia group in Djugu territory in Ituri province over the weekend, Col.
Burkina Faso suspends France 24 for interview with jihadi
March 27, 2023 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Burkina Faso's military junta has suspended French broadcaster, France 24, for interviewing a top jihadi rebel, a government spokesman announced Monday.
The broadcasting of France 24's programs will be blocked throughout Burkina Faso because of an interview the outlet did with the leader of an al-Qaida aligned group, Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo said in a statement.
In Ghana, Kamala Harris ‘excited about the future of Africa’
March 26, 2023 GMTACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris was greeted by schoolchildren, dancers and drummers as she arrived Sunday in Ghana for the start of a weeklong visit to Africa intended to deepen U.S.
29 dead, 11 rescued off Tunisia in migrant boat sinkings
March 26, 2023 GMTTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Boat sinkings off the coast of Tunisia over the weekend killed at least 29 people from countries in sub-Saharan Africa who were trying make the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, the Tunisian National Guard said Sunday.
‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
March 25, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — From Zimbabwe, where many must work at night because it's the only time there is power, to Nigeria where collapses of the grid are frequent, the reliable supply of electricity remains elusive across Africa.
Vice President Harris’ trip aims to deepen US ties in Africa
March 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will try to deepen and reframe U.S. relationships in Africa during a weeklong trip that is the latest and highest profile outreach by the Biden administration as it moves to counter China's growing influence.
Harris pledges aid to Ghana amid security, economic concerns
March 27, 2023 GMTACCRA, Ghana (AP) — With fears of terrorism and Russian mercenaries rippling through West Africa, Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday opened her weeklong trip to the continent by vowing support for Ghana, a democratic pillar in the region that’s being squeezed by an economic crisis and security concerns.
Rwanda frees Paul Rusesabagina of ‘Hotel Rwanda’ fame
March 25, 2023 GMTKIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Rwanda's government has commuted the 25-year sentence of Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda” for saving hundreds of countrymen from genocide but was convicted of terrorism offenses years later in a widely criticized trial.
5 killed in west Sudan tribal violence, rights group says
March 24, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Two days of tribal violence in western Sudan's long-troubled Darfur region killed at least 5 people, tribal leaders and a rights group said Friday.
The violence between African Masalit tribesmen and Arab shepherds in West Darfur erupted Thursday after two armed assailants fatally shot a merchant in a remote area, leaders from both groups said.
Chad nationalizes assets by oil giant Exxon, says government
March 24, 2023 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Chad is nationalizing all assets from multinational oil giant Exxon Mobil, including its hydrocarbon and exploration permits, said the government.
″The finance and budget minister must make sure the said decree is implemented from the date of its publishing," said Haliki Choua Mahamat the government's general secretary on state media.
Former rebel leader is named Congo’s new Defense Minister
March 24, 2023 GMTKINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo's former rebel leader jailed by the International Criminal Court, Jean-Pierre Bemba, has been appointed Congo's Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in a Cabinet reshuffle.
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
March 24, 2023 GMTMARCH 17-23, 2023
From Cyclone Freddy’s devastating impact in Malawi and protests in France against raising the retirement age, to fans celebrating with flares at a Premier League match in England, this photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by The Associated Press from Europe and Africa.
‘Appalling’: Southern Africa counts toll of Cyclone Freddy
March 23, 2023 GMTHARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The death toll from Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which ravaged Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique over the past two months, now stands at more than 600 people, the World Health Organization said Thursday.
Mozambicans vow to keep marching for deceased protest rapper
March 23, 2023 GMTMAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Mozambican fans of deceased protest rapper Azagaia have vowed to keep marching in his honor, even though police violently dispersed demonstrations in Maputo and other cities last week.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa welcomes Belgium’s King Philippe
March 23, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilda to the capital Pretoria, lauded the European country for its assistance to Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bones kept by former eugenics institute buried in Berlin
March 23, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Thousands of bone fragments, which may include the remains of victims of Nazi crimes, were buried Thursday after they were found on a Berlin university campus where an institute for anthropology and eugenics was once located.
Nigerian politician found guilty in UK organ harvesting plot
March 23, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — A senior Nigerian politician and his wife were found guilty Thursday of conspiring to transport a street trader to the U.K. as part of an organ-harvesting plot.
Ike Ekweremadu, who was deputy president of the Nigerian Senate and a lawyer, and his wife, Beatrice, were accused of arranging the travel of a 21-year-old man to the U.K.
Uganda LGBTQ leader says gay bill threatens homelessness
March 23, 2023 GMTKAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A prominent leader of Uganda's LGBTQ community said Thursday he was worried about becoming "homeless,” describing anguished calls by others like him who are concerned for their safety after the passing of a harsh new anti-gay bill.
Equatorial Guinea confirms 8 new cases of Marburg virus
March 23, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Equatorial Guinea has confirmed another eight cases of the “highly virulent” Marburg virus, a deadly hemorrhagic fever with no authorized vaccine or treatment.
The World Health Organization on Thursday said that brings the country’s total number of cases to nine in the outbreak declared in mid-February.
African Union urges nearly $90 million for its Somali force
March 23, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The African Union appealed for nearly $90 million Wednesday for its peacekeeping force in Somalia, which is providing support to its military forces battling al-Shabab extremists.
‘Deeply troubling’: UN rights chief on Uganda anti-gay bill
March 22, 2023 GMTKAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The United Nations rights chief on Wednesday urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to block an anti-LGBTQ bill that prescribes harsh penalties for some homosexual offenses, including death and life imprisonment.
More than 400 sentenced in Chad for death of ex-ruler Deby
March 22, 2023 GMTN’DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — More than 400 rebels accused of killing Chad's former president have been sentenced to life in prison.
The rebels were convicted of terrorism, using child soldiers and undermining Chad’s integrity and security, an appeals court ruled in a closed hearing on Tuesday.
UN: Many African children at risk from lack of clean water
March 22, 2023 GMTABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — In Nigeria's teeming city of Lagos, children in the Makoko area swim and play in filthy water surrounded by garbage.
In Ivory Coast's largest city, Abidjan, thousands of families must fetch water from streams for their daily needs.
Ethiopian lawmakers remove Tigray group from terror list
March 22, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ethiopian lawmakers have removed the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front from the country’s list of designated terror groups more than four months after a peace agreement ended a conflict that killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Macron welcomes back to France journalist freed in Mali
March 21, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — A French journalist who was held hostage by Islamic extremists for nearly two years in Mali was welcomed home by French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, one day after his release.
Tanzanian officials confirm 5 dead from Marburg disease
March 21, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Tanzania’s health ministry on Tuesday confirmed that five people have died and three others are being treated for the Ebola-like Marburg disease.
Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said the cases were identified in the western region of Kagera and the government had managed to control its spread to other regions.
Uganda’s legislature passes harsh new anti-LGBTQ bill
March 21, 2023 GMTKAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan lawmakers passed a bill prescribing jail terms of up to 10 years for offenses related to same-sex relations, responding to popular sentiment but piling more pressure on the East African country’s LGBTQ community.
Opposition files petition against Nigerian election result
March 21, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A Nigerian opposition party has filed a petition with the Court of Appeal against the ruling party for its candidate's victory in last month's presidential election, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Kenya police say 1 killed in opposition-led protests
March 21, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan police said Tuesday that one person died, 31 officers were injured and more than 200 protesters were arrested in anti-government protests led by opposition leader Raila Odinga the previous day.
African nations consider swapping debt for climate funding
March 21, 2023 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — African countries saddled with debt and ravaged by losses and damages from weather events like cyclones, drought and extreme temperatures have agreed to consider swapping debt to invest in climate action in a meeting of finance ministers in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
US aid worker and French journalist freed in West Africa
March 20, 2023 GMTNIAMEY, Niger (AP) — An American aid worker and a French journalist kidnapped and held by Islamist extremists were freed and flown to Niger's capital Monday, four days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country.
Arrests as Kenya opposition leads anti-government protests
March 20, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — At least three Kenyan legislators and several protesters have been arrested and then released for participating in protests in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, in which opposition supporters demanded the resignation of President William Ruto.
International Red Cross says 2 kidnapped staff freed in Mali
March 20, 2023 GMTOUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Two aid workers with the International Committee of the Red Cross were freed in Mali on Monday, the organization announced.
The staff members were released unharmed but the organization would not disclose the employees' identities or the circumstances of the abduction.
French journalist kidnapped in Mali in 2021 is freed
March 20, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — A French journalist held hostage by Islamic extremists for nearly two years in Mali was released Monday, according to the French president and media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, which campaigned for his release.
South Africans demonstrate and call for president to resign
March 20, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police on Monday monitored protests by the country’s leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, which is demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The party urged all South Africans to participate in a national shutdown but there was limited response in most of the country’s major cities.
Report: 43,000 estimated dead in Somalia drought last year
March 20, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died amid Somalia's longest drought on record last year and half of them likely were children under 5 years old.
A week on, brutal Cyclone Freddy still taxes southern Africa
March 20, 2023 GMTOver a week after Cyclone Freddy's second and more devastating landfall in Malawi and Mozambique and nearly a month since it battered Madagascar, the effects are still being felt as locals, officials and aid workers continue to uncover the full extent of the cyclone's destruction.
Key date set in Sudan government transition, official says
March 19, 2023 GMTKHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sudan’s military leaders and pro-democracy forces vowed to begin establishing a new civilian-led transitional government on April 11, a spokesperson representing both parties said Sunday.
Officials abducted, jihadists repelled in Nigeria vote
March 19, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Security forces repelled an attack by Islamic extremists on a coalition center in northeastern Nigeria and several election officials elsewhere were kidnapped as results trickled in Sunday from the gubernatorial vote.
Gunmen kill 9 Chinese at mine in Central African Republic
March 19, 2023 GMTBANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Gunmen stormed a Chinese-operated gold mining site that had recently been launched in Central African Republic, killing nine Chinese nationals and wounding two others Sunday, authorities said.
UK aims to send migrants to Rwanda in months if courts agree
March 19, 2023 GMTKIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Britain’s government said Sunday that it could start deporting asylum-seekers to Rwanda in the next few months — but only if U.K. courts rule that the controversial policy is legal.
In Zimbabwe’s rainy season, women forage for wild mushrooms
March 19, 2023 GMTHARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe's rainy season brings a bonanza of wild mushrooms, which many rural families feast upon and sell to boost their incomes.
But the bounty also comes with danger as each year there are reports of people dying after eating poisonous fungi.
Reports of violence in Nigeria election for new governors
March 18, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Millions of Nigerians voted Saturday to elect state governors but faced intimidation and violence in some cities amid heightened tensions following a disputed presidential election in Africa's most populous nation last month.
UK minister in Rwanda to reinforce migrant deportation plan
March 18, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain's interior minister arrived in Rwanda on Saturday for a visit aimed at reinforcing the U.K. government's commitment to a controversial plan to deport some asylum-seekers to the African country.
Journalists held over South Sudan president video are freed
March 18, 2023 GMTJUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan’s National Security Service has released the remaining journalists who had been detained for weeks over a video apparently showing the country’s president urinating on himself during an event.
Death toll rises, locals pick up pieces after Cyclone Freddy
March 17, 2023 GMTBLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — Authorities are still getting to grips with the scale of Cyclone Freddy's destruction in Malawi and Mozambique since late Saturday, with over 370 people confirmed dead, several hundreds still missing and tens of thousands displaced.
Discarded explosives in South Sudan kill 10, including kids
March 17, 2023 GMTJUBA, South Sudan (AP) — At least 10 people in South Sudan, including three children, have been killed after mistaking unexploded ordnance for scrap metal, an official said Friday.
The commissioner of Jur River county, James Bak, confirmed Thursday's accident in Western Bahr el Ghazal and said two other children were injured.
2nd Vatican official says pope OK’d ransom payments for nun
March 17, 2023 GMTVATICAN CITY (AP) — A second high-ranking Holy See official told a Vatican court on Friday that Pope Francis had authorized spending hundreds of thousands of euros in ransom payments to try to free a nun who was kidnapped by al-Qaida-linked militants in Mali.
Burundi officials detect polio outbreak linked to vaccine
March 17, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Health officials in Burundi have declared an outbreak of polio linked to the vaccine, the first time the paralytic disease has been detected in the East African country for more than three decades.
Mozambicans march to honor protest rapper after his death
March 17, 2023 GMTMAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Mozambicans are planning marches across the country to honor Azagaia, a popular protest rapper and fierce government critic, who died last week.
Memorial marches are planned in every major city on Saturday for the musician who died after an epileptic seizure at the age of 38.
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
March 17, 2023 GMTMarch 10-17, 2023
A week when Tropical Cyclone Freddy displaced people in devastating Malawi and France recorded the longest winter drought since record-keeping began in 1959. King Charles III rubbed noses with a member of a Maori group on Commonwealth Day in London, while people in France continued to protest President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the country's retirement age.
US Secretary of State Blinken visits Niger on Africa tour
March 16, 2023 GMTNIAMEY, Niger (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $150 million in direct assistance to Africa's Sahel region Thursday as he visited Niger, seeking to strengthen ties with a country that has so far avoided the recent spate of military coups and Russian mercenaries destabilizing its neighbors.
Sonko court appearance sparks unrest in Senegal’s capital
March 16, 2023 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Authorities forcibly removed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko from his car Thursday and escorted him to a court appearance, blocking his supporters from following him and sparking unrest in parts of the capital.
UN announces new advisers to bolster young voices on climate
March 16, 2023 GMTUnited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres named seven young climate leaders Thursday to be his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, underlining the role of youth advocates in climate action.
After Cyclone Freddy, flood risk lingers for southern Africa
March 16, 2023 GMTBLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — After four days of destructive wind and rain, local communities and relief workers are now confronting the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy which has killed more than 250 people and displaced tens of thousands of others across Malawi and Mozambique and may still cause further damage.
Tanzania’s first female president on visit to South Africa
March 16, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, on a state visit to South Africa, has urged more security cooperation and trade between the two countries.
Hassan, Tanzania’s first female leader, met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the capital Pretoria on Thursday where her delegation of Cabinet ministers discussed trade opportunities and possible agreements with their South African counterparts.
Don’t leave Global South out of green tech growth, UN warns
March 16, 2023 GMTThe majority of developing nations are set to miss out on the economic benefits of booming green technologies, slowing progress toward their climate goals and widening the inequality gap between rich and poor countries, a United Nations report warned Thursday.
Cyclone Freddy wanes after battering Malawi, Mozambique
March 16, 2023 GMTBLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — Cyclone Freddy has dissipated after killing hundreds of people and displacing thousands in Mozambique and Malawi since late last week, although flooding remains a threat in both countries, a regional monitoring center said late Wednesday.
Blinken says Ethiopia must do more on Tigray peace deal
March 16, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ethiopia needs to make more progress implementing a peace agreement with its northern Tigray region before relations with the U.S. are normalized, visiting Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.
As climate woes worsen, Africa’s economies suffer, UN says
March 15, 2023 GMTFrom devastating cyclones and floods to an unrelenting drought, African countries are spending between 2% and 9% of their budgets to respond to extreme weather events, according to a report released by the United Nations on Wednesday.
Award-winning South African jazz singer Gloria Bosman dies
March 15, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — Smooth-voiced South African jazz musician Gloria Bosman has been lauded for her contribution to the country’s music industry in a career spanning more than two decades.
Bosman died on Tuesday following a short illness, her family announced.
Boat carrying migrants from Madagascar sinks; 34 drown
March 15, 2023 GMTANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Officials in Madagascar have recovered 34 bodies from the Indian Ocean after the sinking of a boat that was carrying migrants hoping to get to Mayotte.
The boat carrying 58 passengers sailed clandestinely without going through official immigration or customs controls and sank late Saturday night off the northwest coast of Madagascar, according to Malagasy maritime authorities.
Ugandan leader’s son unnerves with tweets of ambitions
March 15, 2023 GMTKAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — On Twitter, the Ugandan president’s son has mused about invading neighboring Kenya, praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and offered cattle for the Italian prime minister's hand in marriage.
Protesters back Senegal’s opposition leader ahead of trial
March 15, 2023 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Senegal's capital Tuesday in a peaceful show of support for the country's opposition leader who's facing trial later this week.
It was the first of several days of scheduled demonstrations backing Ousmane Sonko.
Hundreds dead as Cyclone Freddy wrecks Malawi, Mozambique
March 14, 2023 GMTBLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — The devastating Tropical Cyclone Freddy which has ripped through southern Africa in a rare second landfall has killed at least 219 people in Malawi and Mozambique since Saturday night, with the death toll expected to rise.
Witnesses say extremist attack in Somalia kills at least 9
March 14, 2023 GMTMOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Witnesses say at least nine people, including five soldiers, were killed Tuesday when an explosives-laden car targeted the entrance of a guest house in the southern Somalia town of Bardhere in Gedo region.
Nigeria’s old currency can be used longer amid cash crisis
March 14, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s central bank has extended the timeline to swap out its old currency for redesigned notes after the change triggered a cash shortage, forcing businesses to close and leaving millions unable to withdraw their money.
Death toll climbs as Cyclone Freddy slams Malawi, Mozambique
March 14, 2023 GMTBLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — An unrelenting Cyclone Freddy that is currently battering southern Africa has killed at least 56 people in Malawi and Mozambique since it struck the continent for a second time on Saturday night, authorities in both countries have confirmed.
Confirmed: Global floods, droughts worsening with warming
March 13, 2023 GMTThe intensity of extreme drought and rainfall has “sharply” increased over the past 20 years, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Water. These aren’t merely tough weather events, they are leading to extremes such as crop failure, infrastructure damage, even humanitarian crises and conflict.
Vice President Harris to visit Africa in latest US outreach
March 13, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will spend a week in Africa at the end of March as the United States deepens its outreach to the continent amid global competition, notably with China.
Tunisia’s parliament convenes for first time since 2021
March 13, 2023 GMTTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia's new parliament convened Monday, the first time the country has had a functioning legislature since the president had the previous parliament sealed off by the army in 2021.
Tropical Cyclone Freddy hammers Mozambique for second time
March 13, 2023 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Record-breaking Cyclone Freddy made its second landfall in Mozambique on Saturday night, pounding the southern African nation with heavy rains and disrupting transport and telecommunications services.
Italy estimates 680K migrants might cross sea from Libya
March 12, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — Intelligence reports indicate nearly 700,000 migrants are in Libya awaiting an opportunity to set out by sea toward Italy, a lawmaker from Premier Giorgia Meloni’s far-right party said Sunday, but a U.N.
At least 19 people killed in Congo by suspected extremists
March 12, 2023 GMTKINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Rebels in eastern Congo killed at least 19 people and set fire to a health center and houses, authorities reported Sunday.
Gunmen suspected of being part of the Allied Democratic Forces, a militia with links to the Islamic State group, attacked civilians in Kirindera town, Carly Nzanzu, the former governor of North Kivu province, said in an interview with state media.
Government: Gunmen in north Nigeria kill at least 16 people
March 12, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen killed at least 16 people during an attack in northwest Nigeria, the government said Sunday.
The assailants stormed the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna state and opened fire Saturday after a confrontation with police at a checkpoint, Yabo Ephraim, a spokesperson for the local government told The Associated Press.