West Africa

Mogadishu (AX) — In a heart-wrenching incident, a Somali mother and her four-year-old daughter tragically lost their lives after drowning in the Loing River in northern France this past Monday, according to local sources. The heartbreaking event took place in Nemours, a town situated in the Seine-et-Marne region. The young girl had tumbled into the river by accident, and her mother met a tragic fate while trying to rescue her.The authorities were alerted by nearby residents who had been stirred by the mother's frantic cries…

The rift between Egypt and Ethiopia has hit a boiling point recently. The discord stems back to 2011, when Ethiopia began building the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, igniting Egypt's fears over its water and food security. Recently, tensions heightened further following Egypt's rapprochement with Ethiopia’s foe, Somalia. On August 27, Egypt dispatched two C-130 military aircraft brimming with weapons and ammunition to Mogadishu. This marked Egypt’s first military aid to Somalia in over four…

At the 2024 Paralympic Games, a remarkable accomplishment unfolded as ten African nations stood proudly on the podium, collectively clinching a total of 23 gold medals across eight countries. This achievement highlights the growing prowess of athletes from the continent in various sporting disciplines. On this grand stage, Morocco distinguished itself as the standout performer, amassing an impressive haul of 15 medals. Yet, it was Algeria that stole the spotlight with a remarkable six golds, marking its dominance in the…

A prominent rights organization has urged the Tunisian government to halt prosecutions rooted in political motives and ensure the upcoming elections uphold principles of fairness and integrity. This organization has disclosed that authorities have "prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned" a minimum of eight potential candidates ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 6. Notably, the electoral commission has sanctioned only three candidates, one of whom is the current President, Kais Saied. "By incarcerating…

But for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing both the local and international audience, has led him to firmly articulate Ethiopia’s aspirations for sea access, insist on cultivating regional peace, and navigate the tricky waters of having an adversary-turned-friend in Somalia. This week, Ethiopia celebrated its New Year and National Sovereignty Day. In a televised speech, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that any nation contemplating an invasion should think not once, but ten times. Although he refrained from naming…

A deluge of unforgettable events unfurled as the Alau Dam swelled beyond its limits, unleashing torrents of water that wreaked havoc in the surrounding areas. The aftermath was catastrophic; entire communities were forced to abandon their homes. Close to Sanda Kyarimi Park, authorities issued urgent evacuation notices as dangerous wildlife—specifically reptiles—spilled out from a nearby zoo, seeking refuge from the inundation. Local residents reported sightings of various snakes and even crocodiles navigating the…

In commemoration of International Day of Democracy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered an insightful message highlighting the critical need to safeguard free expression. He also raised an alarm about the lurking dangers posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guterres cautioned that if left unchecked, AI could wreak havoc on democratic frameworks, primarily by disseminating misleading information and inciting animosity among different groups. He pointed out that this year, the stakes are particularly high, as…

Nigerian pride was evident as the Super Eagles displayed a stellar performance, yet couldn't clutch an away victory against Rwanda. The home squad owes much to their goalkeeper for maintaining a stalemate. Despite the game concluding in a nil-nil deadlock, Nigeria comfortably remains perched atop Group D. Over in South Africa, the football drama peaked as Bafana Bafana clinched a narrow 3-2 victory over South Sudan. The match's tense finale saw substitute Mbatha net the winning goal in the dying moments of added time.…

"Dahomey," a groundbreaking documentary crafted by Mati Diop, delves into the echoes of royal artifacts pilfered from West Africa by European colonial powers. These treasures have only recently made their way back to their homeland—modern-day Benin. In a candid conversation with RFI, Diop expressed her hope that the film will trigger deep introspection on pressing themes like displacement, exile, and the elusive notion of return—not only for objects taken but also for the people affected by these historical injustices. Of…

In a bold move, three West African nations—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—governed by military juntas, are set to unveil new biometric passports as they distance themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).