Africa News

Eastern DR Congo situation 'catastrophic', says visiting EU commissioner

February 21, 2026

EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib visited Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a regional tour urging respect for international humanitarian law, describing the situation amid ongoing fighting as "catastrophic".

Fasting together: Ramadan and Lent in Sierra Leone’s spirit of harmony

February 21, 2026

Although politics may be troubled in Sierra Leone, religions co-exist harmoniously. As Christian Lent and Muslim Ramadan fall into the same time period this year, the faithful celebrate their holidays together, peacefully.

WFP warns of imminent end to food aid in Somalia without new funding

February 21, 2026

The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) warned Friday it would have to stop humanitarian assistance in Somalia by April if it did not receive new funding.

Investigation: Russian spy agency takes over Wagner operations in Africa

February 21, 2026

Russia's SVR foreign intelligence agency has taken over mercenary group Wagner's influence operations in Africa after the death of its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to a new investigation.

Cameroon jails three soldiers involved in killing 21 civilians in 2020

February 21, 2026

Cameroon has handed jail terms to three soldiers found guilty of involvement in the killing of 21 civilians in 2020 unrest in the country's English-speaking northwest, victims' lawyers said on Friday.

Trump imposes new 10% tariffs following Supreme Court ruling

February 21, 2026

President Donald Trump imposed Friday an additional 10 percent tariff on imports into the United States after the Supreme Court struck down many of his sweeping and often arbitrary duties, delivering a stinging rebuke on his signature economic policy.

Gabonese presidency defends social media shutdown

February 21, 2026

Authorities have defended the bad as necessary to preserve social cohesion, political stability, and national security

US Supreme Court strikes down Trump global tariffs

February 20, 2026

The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs illegal - a stunning rebuke of the president's signature economic policy that upended international trade

Five diamond miners trapped by mudslide presumed dead, South African minister says

February 20, 2026

Five diamond miners missing since Tuesday are now presumed dead, South African authorities said on Friday.

France denies deploying troops to DRC, says army is training Congolese forces

February 20, 2026

France has denied deploying troops to the DRC after a photo this week appeared to show French soldiers in Kisangani.

First Friday of Ramadan sees mass prayers at al Aqsa and shattered Gaza

February 20, 2026

Tens of thousands pray at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy Israeli security as Ramadan begins, while families in Gaza mark the holy month among rubble and scarce aid.

UN Goodwill Ambassador Kristin Davis meets refugees in South Sudanese

February 20, 2026

The actor and 'Sex and the City' star said the humanitarian need was huge and called for urgent support for families.

'Everything was removed': Gambians share pain with FGM ban in balance

February 20, 2026

The procedure, which involves total or partial removal of girls' external genitalia, ignites strong passions in the tiny west African nation

Rights groups urge Senegal authorities to protect LGBT community amid wave of homophobia

February 20, 2026

International rights groups are calling on Senegal to protect the rights of LGBT people amid a wave of homophobia in the West African country.

Palestinians wait at West Bank checkpoint to enter Jerusalem for Ramadan prayers

February 20, 2026

Palestinian worshippers were at the Qalandiya checkpoint on Friday awaiting to cross from the Israeli-occupied West Bank into Jerusalem and attend the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' pledges $7 billion to rebuild Gaza

February 20, 2026

He also said five nations, including Morocco, had agreed to contribute troops to an international stabilisation force for the territory.

Zimbabwe launches groundbreaking HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir

February 20, 2026

Zimbabwe has become one of the first countries globally to launch a national program for lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug, marking a major milestone in the country's fight to end AIDS as a public health threat.

Armed group killS 33 in fresh simultaneous attacks in Nigeria

February 20, 2026

At least 33 people have been killed after Islamic militants launched simultaneous attacks on a district in northwest Nigeria, according to the police.

From Milano Cortina to Dakar 2026: Olympic mascots Tina and Ayo share the stage

February 20, 2026

Italy saw mascot mania in Milan as Tina, face of Milano Cortina 2026, welcomed Ayo from Dakar 2026.

Khartoum residents mark the first day of Ramadan amid Sudan's war

February 20, 2026

Men gathered in the streets of the war-torn capital to break their fast less than a year after it was recaptured by the army.

DR Congo: Residents of Uvira call for urgent reopening of border with Burundi

February 20, 2026

Before the closure of the frontier in December, hundreds of traders, transporters, and families crossed between the two countries every day.

19 soccer fans jailed for AFCON final chaos in Morocco

February 20, 2026

A Moroccan court sentenced 19 soccer fans to up to one year in prison on Thursday for hooliganism following a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final that saw supporters attempt to storm the field.

France on edge as Loire floods and storm Pedro threatens more chaos

February 20, 2026

France is watching the Loire spill across streets and car parks in Les Ponts-de-Cé, near Angers.

China celebrates Spring Festival with lion dances at Great Wall of China

February 20, 2026

China marked the Spring Festival with lion and dragon dances at the Badaling Great Wall on 19 February 2026. The shows formed part of New Year celebrations linked to the Year of the Fire Horse.

Mugabe's son in custody after gardener shot at Johannesburg home

February 20, 2026

The youngest son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe was in police custody Thursday following the shooting of a gardener at the family's Johannesburg home, as South African police launch an attempted murder investigation.

Western France floods deepen after 35 days of rain

February 20, 2026

After 35 days of rain, France battles major floods, evacuations and power cuts while forecasters say rivers will keep rising despite drier weather ahead.

Putin welcomes Madagascar's President, pledges expanded cooperation

February 20, 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Madagascar's President Michael Randrianirina to the Kremlin on Thursday, pledging to deepen bilateral ties across multiple sectors and collaborate on international platforms.

Ivory Coast considers cocoa price cut after Ghana

February 20, 2026

Ivory Coast could emulate Ghana by cutting the price paid to farmers for their cocoa beans, Reuters reported Thursday citing government sources

Former Prince Andrew arrested by British police after revelations in Epstein files

February 19, 2026

He has been detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his dealings with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

651 arrested in Africa-wide crackdown on online scam networks

February 19, 2026

Police across 16 African countries have arrested more than 650 suspected cybercriminals and recovered over 4.3 million US dollars in a major international crackdown on online scams.

Over a million children vaccinated against polio in southern Malawi

February 19, 2026

The four-day campaign comes following the detection of a new polio case in late January.

Conservationists help save the eyesight of a rhino in Zimbabwe

February 19, 2026

They used his favourite foods to coax him into the tight space and then took steps to desensitise him to humans, allowing rangers to administer eyedrops.

At least 15 children killed in Sudan drone strike: UN

February 19, 2026

A drone strike on a displacement camp in Sudan killed at least 15 children earlier this week, the United Nations reported late on Wednesday.

School in Kenya transforms learning for students with dyslexia

February 19, 2026

In the classroom everything is taught step by step with a multitude of props to help youngsters understand, whether the subject involves numbers or letters. Dyslexia affects around 10% of learners and represents a stumbling block to literacy

War devastates Sudan's ancient acacia forest, threatening ecosystem

February 19, 2026

Nearly three years of conflict have reduced Sudan's historic Al-Sunut acacia forest south of Khartoum to barren fields of stumps, destroying a vital green shield against Nile floods and a haven for migratory birds from Europe.

Nigeria's president signs amended Electoral Act into law despite push back

February 19, 2026

Critics are unhappy about the removal of a clause mandating the 'real-time' electronic transmission of election results.

Africa forges a trade future beyond AGOA [Business Africa]

February 19, 2026

With the global trade landscape rapidly shifting, AGOA's fitness for purpose has been questioned. While its imminent end is a blow for African exporters, it is a chance for governments to build a trade strategy that leverages the AfCFTA, embraces e-commerce, and reduces geopolitical risk

Trump hosts Black History Month reception amid racial tensions

February 19, 2026

President Donald Trump welcomed guests to the White House for a Black History Month reception on Wednesday, less than two weeks after sparking bipartisan outrage by posting a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife as primates.

Russia has taken 'over 1,000' Kenyans to Ukraine: intelligence report

February 19, 2026

More than 1,000 Kenyans have gone to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine, most of them tricked into signing military contracts, according to an intelligence report presented to Kenya's parliament.

Toxic gas leak at mine in Nigeria kills 37 people

February 19, 2026

A toxic gas leak at a mine in north-central Nigeria killed 37 people and led to the hospitalization of 26 others, according to police.

IMF approves $91 million in funding for Niger following programme review

February 19, 2026

The announcement comes despite the country's recent political upheaval and its move away from traditional Western partners.

Gabonese opposition and businesses angry about social media ban

February 19, 2026

The High Authority for Communication on Tuesday announced a block on access to services saying posts are fuelling conflict and division in the country.

U2 slams Putin, ICE in defiant new EP 'Days of Ash'

February 19, 2026

Irish rock legends U2 have released their first collection of new songs in nearly a decade—a politically charged EP taking aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. immigration enforcement, and global human rights abuses.

UN probe finds evidence of genocide in Darfur city of El-Fasher

February 19, 2026

A United Nations investigation into the fall of El-Fasher, a key city in Sudan’s western Darfur region, has found that acts committed during its prolonged siege and eventual capture may amount to genocide.

'No food' in South Sudan displacement camp as new conflict breaks out

February 18, 2026

Internally displaced people in South Sudan say there is "no food" in their informal camp as fresh fighting erupts between government and opposition forces in Jonglei state. The conflict has displaced around 280,000 people since December, according to the United Nations.

38 killed in gas blast at Nigeria lead mine

February 18, 2026

Thirty-eight lead miners were killed when gas exploded at a pit in central Nigeria's Plateau state, local sources said.

DRC: Musicians work to preserve Congolese rumba

February 18, 2026

Some musicians and historians in the Democratic Republic of Congo are hard at work trying to preserve the tradition of Congolese rumba, which was added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list five years ago.

Russian navy warship docks in Iran ahead of joint naval exercises

February 18, 2026

Iran temporarily shut the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire drills on Tuesday, a rare show of force that coincided with another round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States in Geneva.

Ramadan: Egytian charity delivers aid during Islamic holy month

February 18, 2026

As Muslims across the world gear up to celebrate Ramadan, the Misr ElKheir charity foundation in Egypt is getting aid ready for residents living in poverty.

Ashes and reflection: Lagos Catholics mark Ash Wednesday

February 18, 2026

Catholics in Nigeria's largest city flocked to churches on Wednesday for Ash Wednesday, beginning the 40-day Lenten season with prayers and the traditional imposition of ashes.