Nigeria’s government is urging citizens to be patient as it tackles economic challenges, while protests against rising costs and bad governance are planned.

A new report highlights the urgent need to address the HIV crisis in West and Central Africa.

Africa’s aviation industry is soaring to new heights as major hubs and leading carriers fuel rapid expansion

The protests, the most severe crisis of Ruto’s presidency, have left over 50 dead

The accused pleaded not guilty and were ordered to return to court between July 30 and August 6

‘Of those 26 million, 750,000 people are just one step away from famine,’ says spokesman

Dagalo announced on social media that these crucial discussions are scheduled for August 14, 2024, in Switzerland

In Sierra Leone, a court has delivered verdicts against 11 individuals charged with treason and related offenses in connection with what authorities termed an attempted coup. The leader of the group, Amadu Koita Makalo, received a staggering sentence of 182 years in prison for charges including treason, murder, and attempted murder, according to Moses Lamin Kamara, spokesperson for the judiciary. The incident in November involved a group of gunmen who raided the country’s armory and a prison, resulting in the release of over 2,000 inmates and the tragic deaths of 18 security personnel. Authorities arrested approximately 80 suspects, with a dozen formally charged in January. Among those charged was former president Ernest Bai Koroma, who was later granted medical leave. Amadu Koita Makalo, formerly a bodyguard of Koroma and a vocal critic of current President Julius Maada Bio on social media, was identified as the mastermind behind the attack. Alongside Makalo, the other 10 defendants were also found guilty of treason and murder, receiving sentences ranging from 30 to 112 years in prison. Ernest Bai Koroma, although officially retired from active politics, continues to wield influence within his political party. Many of those implicated in the attack were reportedly former associates of the ex-president, as noted by Information Minister Chernor Bah. Sierra Leone has experienced heightened political tensions since President Bio’s reelection last year, which the opposition alleged was marred by electoral fraud. In the aftermath of Bio’s reelection, authorities apprehended several individuals, including senior military officers, who were purportedly planning protests aimed at destabilizing peace in the country. The nation remains in the process of recovery from a devastating 11-year civil war that concluded over two decades ago. Sierra Leone, with a population of 8 million, ranks among the world’s poorest nations. Nearby Guinea has also been grappling with political instability following a coup in 2021, contributing to regional concerns. The developments underscore ongoing challenges in governance and stability across West Africa, amid efforts to address socio-economic disparities and promote lasting peace.

The search for survivors of a devastating mudslide in southern Ethiopia, which has tragically claimed the lives of at least 229 people, continued on Tuesday. The death toll, initially reported at 55, rose significantly, with local authorities confirming that many of the deceased were individuals who had bravely attempted to rescue others. The disaster struck Ethiopia’s remote Kencho Shacha Gozdi district following heavy rains. Among the victims were young children and pregnant women. Despite the grim toll, there have been at least five survivors rescued, according to Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences on Facebook and announced the activation of the federal disaster prevention task force to aid in ongoing search and rescue operations. The exact number of people still missing remains unknown. On Monday, funerals were held for numerous victims while rescue teams continued to comb through the rugged terrain affected by previous mudslides. Authorities from the communications office in Gofa Zone, where the mudslides occurred, confirmed that search efforts were ongoing. Markos Melese, director of the disaster response agency in Gofa Zone, noted that several rescuers themselves remain unaccounted for. Amidst the rescue operations, emotional scenes unfolded as onlookers witnessed rescuers using shovels to clear away thick mud in hopes of finding survivors. Landslides are a recurring hazard during Ethiopia’s rainy season, which spans from July to mid-September.

Morocco’s six-year drought has devastated wheat production, impacting farmers, economy, and food security.

The United States has invited Sudan’s SAF and RSF to ceasefire talks in Switzerland starting on August 14.

Bob Menendez was acting as an agent for Egypt’s government bowing to pressure from fellow Democrats to give up the job.

Fifteen Nigerien soldiers were killed and sixteen wounded in clashes with armed militants in the Tillaberi region.

Nigeria’s police chief warned against planned protests over economic hardship and poor governance, threatening a crackdown if demonstrations turn violent.

The disaster has prompted a massive humanitarian response as survivors search for loved ones and rebuild their lives.

The Climate Change Bill aims to enable South Africa to meet its emissions reduction commitments under the Paris climate agreement.

President Akufo-Addo, speaking at a BADEA event, and AU’s Moussa Faki Mahamat call for resolution to Sudan’s conflict, highlighting the dire consequences for the Sudanese people.

Nestled in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue City, captivates visitors

An Al Qaeda affiliate has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Togolese army barracks, marking a new chapter in the region’s growing insecurity.

Ugandan security forces violently dispersed a banned anti-corruption protest in Kampala, detaining dozens of young demonstrators.

A landslide in southern Ethiopia has claimed the lives of at least 55 people, with many more feared missing.

Officials reported that dozens of al-Shabab militants were killed in recent clashes in southern Jubaland state. The clashes occurred following three coordinated attacks by militants on military bases held by federal and regional forces west and south of Kismayo town. Bulo Haji, Harbole, and Mido were among the bases seized from al-Shabab in the past month. The militants also targeted a fourth base at Bar Sanguni, apparently aiming to disrupt potential reinforcements. Major Mohamed Farah Dahir, spokesperson for Jubaland regional forces, told VOA Somali that 135 militants were killed in the attacks. “In total, we confirmed 135 killed,” he said. “We have also recovered weapons from the deceased. … I have never witnessed such a large number of casualties in one location in my life.” He stated that at least six militants were captured alive. He also noted that the most significant loss of life occurred in Bulo Haji. However, the federal government, which has troops stationed at the attacked bases, provided a different count of casualties. In a prepared statement, the federal Ministry of Information asserted that all assaults were repelled and over 80 militants were killed. Social media accounts have released purported video clips and photos showing numerous dead bodies. Al-Shabab asserted that their militants successfully took control of the bases and claimed that more than 70 soldiers were killed in their assaults. The casualty figures and video clips presented by both sides have not been independently verified by VOA. Al-Shabab has been battling to remove Somalia’s central government in Mogadishu for nearly twenty years. The government has partnered with local clan militias to combat the Islamist insurgents in an ongoing effort bolstered by African Union troops and U.S. air strikes. In the meantime, the Somali government has honored a prison guard with a medal for bravery who was killed after he refused to give the keys to militant prisoners during an attempted jailbreak at Mogadishu’s central prison on July 13th.

Police were out in force on the empty streets of the Ugandan capital Kampala on Tuesday ahead of a planned anti-corruption rally that has been banned by the authorities. President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the East African country with an iron fist for almost four decades, had warned the demonstrators at the weekend they were “playing with fire.” Three opposition lawmakers were remanded in custody late Monday, police said, after opposition leader Bobi Wine said his National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters was “under siege” by police and army officers. The call to action over corruption has been organized online, drawing inspiration from the mostly Gen-Z led anti-government protests in neighboring Kenya that have roiled the country for a month. “We are the youths and heart of our country and we are not letting down our country,” leading Ugandan protester Shamim Nambasa told AFP on Monday. Posters shared online ahead of the rallies urged demonstrators to “march on parliament.” But police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said the authorities will “not allow a demonstration that will risk peace and security of the country.” In the capital, AFP journalists said there were roadblocks on mostly quiet streets, especially near Kampala’s business district, heavily manned by officers in anti-riot gear with some wearing camouflage uniforms. A heavy police presence also remained in place around the NUP headquarters, an AFP journalist said. On Monday three lawmakers with the opposition group were detained by police on “various offenses and remanded to prison,” according to the police spokesperson who did not give further details on the charges.  Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had made calls on Monday to support the rallies. “We want a country where we all belong not for the few in power,” he said. A NUP spokesperson confirmed three legislators, named as Francis Zaake, Charles Tebandeke and Hassan Kirumira, along with seven others connected to the party, had been detained. Tuesday’s march has been organized on social media by young Ugandans with the hashtag #StopCorruption. Graft is a major issue in Uganda, with several major scandals involving public officials, and the country is ranked a lowly 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index.

Niger will receive new loans from the IMF to implement reforms aimed at reducing risks to future balance of payments stability and addressing long-standing balance of payments challenges. The IMF’s Executive Board concluded the Fourth and Fifth Reviews of Niger’s economic program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the First Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) on Wednesday. This milestone enabled immediate disbursements of SDR 19.74 million (approximately US$ 26 million) under the ECF, bringing total disbursements to SDR 157.92 million (about US$ 210 million), and SDR 34.216 million (about US$ 45 million) under the RSF. Niger’s ECF was approved in December 2021 and supplemented by the RSF in July 2023. Both arrangements were extended by six months until December 2025 to provide adequate time for implementing critical reforms and supporting fiscal consolidation efforts. While program implementation was generally on track by late June 2023, it was disrupted by a political crisis in the country, resulting in the accumulation of arrears in external and domestic debt service payments.