Pope Leo XIV has told Cameroon’s government to root out corruption during a forthright address on the second leg of his African tour. “In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption – which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility – must be broken,” he told those gathered at the presidential palace in the capital, Yaoundé, including President Paul Biya. The 93-year-old president won an eighth term last year in a disputed poll and his administration faces criticism over allegations of corruption, bad governance and a failure to tackle security. The Pope is now in…
Author: Montage Africa
By Sarah Miansoni with AP Senegal has issued the first conviction under a new law increasing the punishment for homosexuality. A court in Dakar suburb Pikine-Guédiawaye sentenced a 24-year-old labourer on Friday (10 April) to six years in prison and fined him 2 million CFA ($3,300) for “acts against nature and public indecency.” He was arrested earlier this month. Senegal is the latest African country to impose harsher penalties against the LGBTQ+ community. On 31 March, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye signed into law a new legislation doubling the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, from five to 10 years in…
By Rédaction Africanews In the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, dozens gathered at what is known as a ‘standing parliament.’ Among the crowd were supporters of the presidential party. The gatherings are being used to both test and champion certain ideas from those in power, according to observers. Some spoke of the conflict in the country. “When we finish the war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, that will be the moment when we will change the Constitution,” Jean-Claude Mwamba, coordinator of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress’ (UDPS) ‘standing parliaments.’ “All those things…
By Rédaction Africanews and AP In Colombia, authorities have approved a plan to cull dozens of hippos descended from animals once brought in by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, as their rapidly growing population continues to threaten communities and native wildlife. The hippos, which roam freely in parts of central Colombia, have multiplied far beyond their original numbers, raising alarm among environmental officials who warn they are disrupting ecosystems and endangering local species. Environment Minister Irene Vélez said a euthanasia protocol is being developed to allow environmental authorities to carry out controlled population reduction measures with scientific support.…
By Rédaction Africanews Nigeria will cut import duties on a range of goods from July 1, in a move aimed at easing living costs and supporting businesses. Key tariff reductions The presidency said duties will be lowered on rice, sugar, palm oil, passenger vehicles and construction materials. Under the new rates, tariffs on passenger vehicles will drop to 40 percent, bulk rice to 47.5 percent, and raw sugar cane to between 55 and 57.5 percent. Palm oil duties will fall to 28.75 percent. Electric vehicles, mass-transit buses and manufacturing machinery will be fully exempt. Push to curb inflation The measures…
By Rédaction Africanews After two days in Algeria and then four in Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV will continue his African tour with a stop in Angola from April 18 to 20. “During this visit, he is expected to highlight social issues, including the fight against corruption and inequality. ‘It is important for us that the pope feels comfortable, warmly welcomed by the whole world, by our Angola, and that he brings us the joy that comes from 24 years of peace and 51 years of independence,” explained Father Correia Hilario, an Angolan priest. He added, “This joy is complemented by…
World champion Peres Jepchirchir has withdrawn from this month’s London Marathon. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion was diagnosed with an unspecified stress fracture after finishing second in the Valencia marathon in December. That delayed the start of her training for London and the 32-year-old Kenyan has now told race organisers she must withdraw. Jepchirchir won the 2024 London Marathon in a women’s only world-record time of two hours 16 minutes and 16 seconds. “I was only able to resume training in late January,” she said in a statement. “I know that to be competitive at the London Marathon you have…
By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies Iran has submitted a formal document to the International Maritime Organization’s Legal Committee, detailing what it calls severe maritime and civilian losses caused by US and Israeli military attacks. In the filing seen Monday, Iran alleged that 39 merchant vessels have been attacked and sunk, 110 traditional fishing boats destroyed, and 20 sailors killed. It also claimed multiple acts of sabotage against maritime infrastructure, including the sinking of search-and-rescue vessels and damage to medical ships. Thousands of civilians dead Beyond maritime losses, Iran said the attacks have killed over 3,000 civilians, including 277 students.…
Kenya has sharply raised the cost of petroleum, with diesel prices rising by a record margin despite a fuel tax cut, as the conflict in Iran pushes up global oil prices. In its latest review, the energy regulator raised the cost of diesel by 40 Kenya shillings to 206 ($1.6; £1.2) a litre, while petrol rose by 28 shillings to a similar level. It said this reflected higher global oil and shipping costs, even as the government cut value added tax to 13% from 16%. The new prices will last until 14 May when the next review is due. Fuel…
By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies Nearly 700 civilians have been killed in drone strikes in Sudan since January, the United Nations said, underscoring the escalating toll of a civil war now entering its fourth year. According to UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, most of the deaths occurred in the first three months of 2026, with near-daily drone attacks reported across conflict zones. The strikes have particularly affected regions such as Kordofan and Darfur, where fighting remains intense. The UN children’s agency has warned that drones account for a large share of child casualties, with attacks hitting homes, markets and…