Climate change takes a toll on Kenya as floods triggered by El Nino kill 70 people, disrupt life in Nairobi.

Kenya Airways demands the release of two employees detained by Congolese military intelligence over allegedly missing cargo documentation.

Rising tensions in Sudan’s North Darfur region have the UN on edge as the global body fears a potential attack on al-Fashir by the Rapid Support Forces.

The African Union urges a halt to renewed fighting in a disputed area of northern Ethiopia, raising concerns about the fragile peace deal and displacing over 50,000 people.

The United States will pull the majority of its troops from Chad and Niger as it works to restore key agreements governing what role there might be there for the American military and its counterterrorism operations, the Pentagon said Thursday.  Both African countries have been integral to the U.S. military’s efforts to counter violent extremist organizations across the Sahel region, but Niger’s ruling junta ended an agreement last month that allows U.S. troops to operate in the West African country. In recent days, neighboring Chad also has questioned whether an existing agreement covered the U.S. troops operating there. The U.S. will relocate most of the approximately 100 forces it has deployed in Chad for now, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday at a press briefing.  “As talks continue with Chadian officials, U.S. AFRICOM is currently planning to reposition some U.S. military forces from Chad, some portions of which were already scheduled to depart. This is a temporary step as part of the ongoing review of our security cooperation, which will resume after Chad’s May 6th presidential election,” Ryder said.  In Niger, the majority of the 1,000 U.S. personnel assigned there also are expected to depart, Ryder said.  U.S. and Nigerien officials were expected to meet Thursday in Niger’s capital, Niamey, “to initiate discussions on an orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces,” the State Department said in a statement late Wednesday. Follow-up meetings between senior Pentagon and Niger officials are expected next week “to coordinate the withdrawal process in a transparent manner and with mutual respect,” Ryder said.  Called status-of-forces agreements, these deals allow the U.S. to conduct critical counterterrorism operations within both countries’ borders and have supported military partner training. The reversals have prompted concern that U.S. influence in Africa is losing ground to overtures from Russia and China.  Relations have frayed between Niger and Western countries since mutinous soldiers ousted the country’s democratically elected president in July. Niger’s junta has since told French forces to leave and turned instead to Russia for security. Earlier this month, Russian military trainers arrived to reinforce the country’s air defenses and they brought Russian equipment, which they would train Nigeriens to use. Niger plays a central role in the U.S. military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region, a vast region south of the Sahara Desert. Washington is concerned about the spread of jihadi violence where local groups have pledged allegiance to al-Qaida and the Islamic State groups.  Niger is home to a major U.S. air base in the city of Agadez, about 920 kilometers (550 miles) from the capital, which is used for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations. The U.S. also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Niger’s military since beginning operations there in 2013. Officials from the State Department, U.S. Africa Command and the Pentagon will work with Chad’s government to make the case for U.S. forces to continue operations, Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady said Wednesday. 

Malaria is still a significant public health challenge in Kenya, but an important pilot of the world’s first malaria vaccine may help

Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, held a significant meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

TikTok has encountered regulatory scrutiny in numerous countries, particularly in Western nations.

The highly anticipated Dakar Biennale in Senegal has been rescheduled. Originally slated for May, the 15th edition will kick off in November.

Morocco voices strong condemnation over Israeli settlers’ incursion at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, calling it a provocative act.

Chad’s military-led president campaigns in the southern opposition stronghold ahead of the May presidential election, expected to secure a victory.

Jacob Zuma’s return to politics energizes his supporters and reshapes South Africa’s electoral landscape as his new party, MK, gains momentum.

Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone join a growing list of countries offering a lifesaving vaccine.

The Ngorongoro Crater stands as a testament to nature’s grandeur and biodiversity

The Democratic Republic of Congo suspects Apple’s supply chain may contain conflict minerals sourced from their war-torn eastern region and is demanding more information.

Somali forces dealt a blow to the al-Shabaab terror group in a military operation that killed at least 70 fighters in the Mudug region.

Heavy rains worsened by El Niño have caused devastating floods in Tanzania, killing 155 people and affecting over 200,000, while Kenya also faces rising flood casualties.

Human Rights Watch accuses the Burkina Faso military of massacring over 223 civilians, including children, in retaliation for militant attacks.

119 prisoners reportedly escaped after a section of the prison collapsed due to heavy rain and storms.

Togo’s opposition sues a West African court to overturn a constitutional reform seen as a way for President Gnassingbe to extend his rule.

Additionally, 1,495 SANDF members will persist in their operations in Mozambique

Burundi called for international help to deal with the aftermath. 

The president of the Football Association of Zambia (Faz) has been arrested and charged with money laundering offences.

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have emphasised the imperative of a unified regional approach to tackle the evolving security challenges across Africa. This stance was articulated during the inaugural joint consultation between the AU Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ambassadorial level in Abuja on Wednesday. In his remarks, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Musa Nuhu, highlighted the dynamic nature of Africa’s security landscape. Nuhu underscored the emergence of new and complex threats, ranging from terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes in government. Nuhu stressed the necessity of collective efforts transcending national borders to effectively address these challenges. He emphasised the significance of joint consultative engagements between the AU and Regional Economic Communities as crucial platforms for fostering a collective response to mitigate these security threats. Nuhu stated, “For long, the African continent has struggled with security challenges that have brought untold hardship to our people.” “Since its inception, the ECOWAS MSC at the Ministerial and Ambassadorial levels has played a critical role in addressing security challenges through mediation missions, peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism efforts, which were hosted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. “However, it must be clearly stated that the security landscape in Africa is a dynamic one, constantly presenting new complex threats from terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes of government. These challenges demand a unified response that goes beyond our national boundaries and requires collective efforts.” The chair highlighted the importance of cooperation in various areas, ranging from preventing unconstitutional government changes to implementing counter-terrorism measures and promoting peace initiatives. He further stressed the need to extend discussions beyond politics to encompass economic development, humanitarian intervention, and social cohesion, all crucial elements for achieving lasting peace across Africa. In the same vein, the Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the African Union and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, emphasised the importance of collaboration and cooperation in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts. Jagne highlighted the challenges posed by terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional changes of government in the region, underscoring their detrimental effects on peace, security, and stability. She expressed confidence in the collective effort to counter these threats and reverse the current trends. She noted, “We need to emphasise the critical role and the absolute necessity of our collaboration and cooperation in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts. “Our region is currently faced with the surge of terrorism and violent extremism, and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, which have serious negative consequences for peace, security, and stability in our community. “Together, we can reverse this unfortunate trend.” The 15-nation bloc ECOWAS, formed in 1975 to promote economic integration in member states, has struggled in recent years to reverse a wave of military takeovers in the region, including Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger last year. The exit of three countries from ECOWAS threatened the African Continental Free Trade Area aimed at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting the continent’s trading position in the global market. Earlier, ECOWAS imposed economic sanctions on the countries. The sanctions were, however, in February 2024 following the intervention of Nigeria’s ex-military head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.