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Mozambique floods: UNICEF warns “deadly threat” to children as rains swell rivers Maputo, Mozambique — Severe flooding sweeping southern and central Mozambique poses a “deadly threat” to children, the U.N. children’s agency warned Monday, as heavy rain and rising rivers strain already swollen dam systems and authorities brace for more water to arrive from neighbouring countries. UNICEF’s warning comes as rescue and relief needs grow in parts of the country hit by what local media described as floods as severe as those…

Former President Lazarus Chakwera accused his successor, Peter Mutharika, on Thursday of overseeing a campaign of intimidation and “unlawful arrests, and the abuse of due process” aimed at silencing opposition figures, calling the pattern a “dangerous collapse” of the rule of law. In a formal statement, Chakwera said he has notified President Mutharika of what he described as politically motivated actions against leaders of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). “This includes individuals whose only crime is exercising their…

South African officials say the school taxi driver involved in the Vanderbijlpark crash did not have a valid operating licence, authorities announced Wednesday. The disclosure, made by provincial transport officials, raises immediate questions about the legal status of the vehicle and the oversight of school transport in the area. Officials did not provide further details about the driver’s identity, the nature or severity of casualties, or exactly when the licence lapsed. Vanderbijlpark, an industrial city in Gauteng…

Senegal erupted in celebration after a dramatic, controversy-flecked final in which the Teranga Lions edged hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye moved quickly to declare a public holiday, turning a late-night sporting triumph into a national moment of pride and communal relief. The match — described by observers as one of the most explosive finals in African football — produced raw emotion on the pitch and on the streets. While details of the controversy have drawn intense attention, it was…

Search-and-rescue teams from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have launched an emergency operation after heavy downpours and rising water levels caused severe flooding in the South African province of Limpopo, officials said Friday. The floods have killed 19 people and caused widespread destruction of homes, businesses and critical infrastructure, authorities reported. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who inspected flood damage in the area, described what he saw as "catastrophic." The South African Weather…

The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned that the widespread availability of inexpensive sugary drinks and alcohol is driving avoidable illness and deaths and straining health systems around the world, with low- and middle-income countries in Africa among the most exposed. In two new reports accompanying the agency’s statement, WHO officials said weak tax systems that fail to raise prices on harmful products leave them affordable and fuel a growing tide of noncommunicable diseases. "By increasing taxes on products…

New Leadership in U.S. Africa Bureau Faces Complex Challenges Nick Checker, who stepped into the role of head of the State Department's Africa Bureau earlier this month, brings a unique perspective to the position after spending most of the past decade at the CIA. Unlike his two predecessors—career diplomats who served under President Trump—Checker has only four months of experience at the State Department. As the 'Senior Bureau Official,' a title currently used for acting positions across numerous agencies, Checker is…

Iran has withdrawn from a planned multilateral naval exercise in South Africa’s False Bay, officials said, after initially assembling warships in the area. South African, Russian, Chinese and United Arab Emirates vessels are still scheduled to sail this week for Exercise Will for Peace 2026, a drill organized under the BRICS+ framework. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) described the maneuvers as a joint exercise for the 10-member BRICS+ forum but said most member states will have limited or no active…

L. Brent Bozell III, the conservative activist chosen by President Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and is preparing to assume his post, according to reporting by RFI's Melissa Chemam. Bozell, long known on the American right for his organizational work and media activism, enters the diplomatic role as a vocal backer of Israel and a prominent conservative voice in U.S. politics. The Senate confirmation completes Washington’s formal approval process and clears the…

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco marched confidently into the semi-finals of the tournament after a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon under the Rabat lights on Friday night. Goals in either half from Brahim Díaz and Ismail Saibari sealed a memorable triumph for the Atlas Lions in front of a raucous, sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The victory showcased Morocco's tactical prowess and solid team dynamics. Diaz opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box in the 20th minute, sending the…