Across West Africa, peanut soup, also known as groundnut soup, is a beloved dish

The RSF, signaling its commitment to the Sudanese people, pledged to ensure “safe and unhindered humanitarian access” amidst the ongoing 16-month civil war

The prank involved users booking and then canceling rides across borders, resulting in drivers wasting fuel and time on fruitless trips

Water crisis affects people in many rural areas, with many trekking more than 30 minutes to access safe drinking water

In his briefing, Perriello outlined the current diplomatic landscape, noting that the U.S. has been engaged in intense negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and reviving peace talks

Flooding is a recurring challenge in West and Central Africa, particularly from June to September when heavy rains sweep through the Sahel

In preparation for the Magal pilgrimage in Touba on August 23, 2024, Senegalese authorities have introduced enhanced health measures to address the spread of mpox (formerly monkeypox). With millions of pilgrims expected, including many from abroad, approximately 6,000 healthcare professionals have been deployed. Given the recent rise in mpox cases across Africa, the focus is on rapid detection. Dr. Mamadou Dieng, the regional health director of Diourbel, detailed the measures, including training for surveillance teams and the installation of testing equipment at multiple locations. A total of 186 sites have been established for pilgrims showing symptoms. Testing will be managed by the Institut Pasteur, and quarantine zones have been set up. Dr. Dieng stressed the importance of personal responsibility, urging pilgrims to wash their hands frequently, avoid close contact, and wear masks in crowded areas. Although these measures may be difficult to adhere to, they are vital for preventing the disease’s spread.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the Canary Islands on Friday to meet with regional President Fernando Clavijo amid a surge in migrant arrivals and challenges in caring for thousands of unaccompanied minors. Sánchez’s minister for territorial policy and democratic memory, Ángel Victor Torres, who previously served as the regional president of the Canaries, spoke on behalf of Sánchez’s government after the meeting. Torres announced an additional 50 million euros in financial aid for the archipelago, building on previous support. While adult migrants typically leave the islands for mainland Spain or other European destinations, the regional government is responsible for unaccompanied minors. The Canary Islands are currently caring for over 5,000 children and teenagers who arrived alone or lost their parents during the perilous journey from West Africa. Sánchez and Clavijo agreed to pursue long-term solutions for irregular migration, particularly for unaccompanied minors. Torres noted that a proposed legal change to mandate solidarity among Spanish regions must pass through parliament. However, a similar attempt in late July was unsuccessful, with lawmakers rejecting a proposal to distribute unaccompanied minors among other regions. Sánchez’s visit comes just before his trip to Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia to address migration issues at their sources. Between January and mid-August this year, over 22,300 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands, a 126% increase compared to the same period last year. On Friday, Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service reported rescuing 173 people, including six babies and eight women, and recovering two bodies from a boat near El Hierro. The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canaries is among the world’s deadliest, with migrant rights group Walking Borders estimating thousands of fatalities due to the lack of precise departure data. Boats often disappear in the Atlantic or are found adrift in the Caribbean, carrying the remains of their passengers.

Al Hilal Benghazi secures their place in the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Kitara of Uganda in a thrilling encounter.

West and Central Africa are facing a severe flooding crisis, with Mali being particularly hard hit.

RSF chief Mohamed Daglo endorses Geneva’s peace process, lauding international mediation while criticizing Burhan-controlled SAF absence, and stresses the need for immediate humanitarian relief in Sudan.

Thousands have been displaced and many homes and farms have been destroyed.

WHO’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls for global unity to combat the mpox outbreak, emphasizing the need for international cooperation, research, and community engagement to control and eradicate the virus.

The rebels are treating the prisoners well and remain open to negotiation proposals.

The former finance minister of Eritrea, detained incommunicado for six years, has died in prison, raising serious human rights concerns.

Africa is on a journey to strengthen its economic future through mega infrastructure projects

Over 2,000 individuals have been evacuated and provided with essential services.

Health minister says surveillance at border points increased

Despite the deal’s significance, it has not been implemented due to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s withdrawal from the agreement

Another wave of cholera hit North African country due to floods, poor sanitation, says WHO official

Kenyan intelligence delegation visits Addis Ababa, with discussions focusing on criminal activities of Oromo Liberation Army

 Eritrean authorities released 31 Yemeni fishermen on Thursday after holding them for three days, according to Houthi-affiliated media. The Saba News Agency reported that the fishermen returned to the fishing port in Al Hudaydah province, which is under Houthi control. The fishermen revealed that Eritrean forces arrested them in Yemeni territorial waters while they were fishing in three boats and took them to Eritrean prisons at gunpoint. During their detention, the fishermen said “they were subjected to torture and starvation before being forced to return on a single boat, with the Eritrean forces confiscating the other two boats along with their fishing equipment,” the agency reported. There has been no official response from Eritrean authorities regarding the incident. For years, Yemen and Eritrea have been locked in a dispute over the Hanish Islands, located between the two countries’ coasts near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In 1998, an international arbitration court ruled in favor of Yemen, but Eritrea has not fully acknowledged the ruling and frequently detains Yemeni fishermen near the islands. Many Yemenis in coastal cities rely on fishing for their livelihood amid deteriorating living conditions caused by the ongoing war in the country. Yemen has been embroiled in nearly a decade of conflict between government forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition and the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, who have controlled several provinces, including the capital Sanaa, since September 2014.

Rwandan authorities announced a ban Thursday on the activities of 43 faith groups across the country effective Aug. 28, weeks after thousands of illegal churches were closed. A letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government directed districts leaders to enforce the ban, saying an ongoing evaluation found the affected faith-based organizations operating in contravention of existing regulations. Most of the affected groups were of Pentecostal denominations, including the Lutheran Church, a member of the Lutheran World Federation established in the 1990s in Rwanda to continue the work of German missionaries. The move came weeks after authorities, in a major crackdown, closed over 5,000 churches accused of failing to comply with required legal standards and exposing the lives of worshipers to unnecessary risks. Authorities said 59.3% of over 13,000 churches inspected at the end of July were shut down due to non-compliance. It was the second major crackdown on places of worship in the country. In 2018, Rwandan authorities closed more than 700 churches found to be operating illegally. All preachers were also required to have theological training before opening a church under the law determining the organization and functioning of faith-based organizations in the country. The government had given church leaders five years to enforce the necessary legal standards, something that many reportedly failed to do. A large number of Rwandans, or about 40% of the population, belong to the Roman Catholic Church. But the number of Pentecostal churches has been growing in recent years in many parts of the African continent, mostly run by charismatic preachers who preach the prosperity gospel — promising their followers miracles to change their fortunes. However, authorities have become suspicious of the intentions of some religious groups. Rwandan President Paul Kagame, commenting on the crackdown on churches this month, suggested that some clerics under the cover of God manipulate and fleece their followers. He also suggested the need to introduce a tax on church collections.

Malian singer and composer Rokia Traoré has been held in Italy for two months following a European arrest warrant issued by Belgium. This arrest is related to a long-standing custody dispute with her ex-partner, Belgian playwright Jan Goossens, dating back to 2019, over their daughter. On Thursday, August 22, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation may decide to place Traoré under house arrest in Rome. Traoré was detained on June 20, just before a scheduled performance at a music festival at the Colosseum, and has since been held in a women’s prison in Civitavecchia, near Rome. In October 2023, a Belgian court sentenced her to two years in prison for not presenting their daughter to Goossens, following allegations of sexual abuse against Goossens that were later dismissed. Two hearings have been held in Rome’s Court of Appeal since her arrest. On July 13, Traoré’s lawyer, Maddalena Claudia Del Re, challenged the procedural aspects of the Belgian sentence. The Italian judges have decided to refer the case to the European Court of Justice to determine whether Traoré should be released or extradited to Belgium. The Court of Cassation is expected to review the request for house arrest on August 22, which would improve Traoré’s current conditions.