By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies The Lagos State Assembly has stepped in to stop ongoing demolitions in the waterfront community of Makoko after protests last week by residents and rights groups. Peaceful demonstrations at the Assembly turned violent as police fired teargas and attempted arrests. Activists have condemned the police actions and are calling for an independent investigation and the removal of the Police Commissioner. Lawmakers have ordered a pause to give time to review the process and clear up confusion over how far buildings should be set back from the water. Residents say demolitions went well beyond the approved…
Author: Montage Africa
By Rédaction Africanews with AFP The Red Cross said at least 162 people have been killed by gunmen in Nigeria’s western Kwara state, one of the deadliest attacks in the country in recent months. “Reports said that the death toll now stands at 162, as the search for more bodies continues,” said Babaomo Ayodeji, Kwara state secretary of the Red Cross, updating an earlier toll of 67. The strike late Tuesday came after the military recently carried out operations in the area against what it called “terrorist elements”. Police have confirmed the attack without providing any casualty figures. As the…
Libyan prosecutors say they are investigating the killing of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the country’s long-time leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. The 53-year-old, who was once widely seen as his father’s heir apparent, was killed during a “direct confrontation” with four unknown gunmen who broke into his home in the city of Zintan, his office said in a statement. “The victim died from wounds by gunfire,” Libyan prosecutors said on Wednesday, adding that efforts were under way to identify the gunmen. In a different version of events, his sister told Libyan TV that he had died near the country’s border…
A “notorious” Tanzanian drug-trafficking kingpin has been arrested in Zambia during a raid, the Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has announced. Ahmed Muharram was among several suspects detained in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, along with large quantities of marijuana and cough syrup containing codeine in several drug busts on Tuesday, the authorities said. “The suspect is a known transnational drug trafficker,” the DEC said, adding that the 40-year-old had long been on the anti-drug agency’s watch-list. The arrest of Muharram, who has not yet commented, was made possible thanks to a series of intelligence-led operations, the agency said. Under Zambian law,…
South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has said he will not seek re-election as the party’s leader in April – a move that may threaten the stability of the coalition government. The DA, South Africa’s second largest party, entered into a coalition with its arch rival the African National Congress in 2024 after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority. Steenhuisen took over leadership of the pro-business DA in 2019 and currently serves as agriculture minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government. The 49-year-old was widely expected to run again but was reportedly forced to abandon his bid because of…
By Rédaction Africanews with AP A group of dozens of Somali mothers in Minneapolis are quietly resisting the surge in United States federal immigration officers in the area by brewing traditional tea. Community organiser Nasro Hassen and her neighbours hand out the steaming cups to people on the streets who monitor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in subfreezing temperatures. Their ginger-flavoured traditional tea is not just an efficient way to warm up in the cold Minnesota weather. It is also a way to connect with local residents. “Our neighbours have provided invaluable support during the incidents with ICE.…
By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies The United States has deployed a small military team to Nigeria, Washington confirmed on Tuesday. The head of US Africa Command said the move was in coordination with the Nigerian government and aimed at strengthening efforts against terrorist threats in the country’s north. AFCOM did not provide details of the mission’s size, scope or activities. Nigeria is facing a long-running jihadist insurgency which has killed tens of thousands of Nigerians since 2016. In December, US President Trump, in coordination with Nigerian authorities, ordered missile strikes on what he described as Islamic State camps in the…
By Rédaction Africanews Congo River Alliance (AFC) and M23 rebels have claimed responsibility for this weekend’s drone attack on the Kisangani airport in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka confirmed the group’s involvement in a statement released overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, where he claimed that the AFC/M23 “carried out the destruction of a military command centre” located at Kisangani Bangoka International Airport. On Monday, provincial authorities in Tshopo said eight kamikaze drones targeting the airport over the weekend had been shot down before reaching their target. The local government blamed Rwanda and AFC/M23 rebels for the…
By Rédaction Africanews with agencies The so-called Epstein files continue to make headlines around the world after a new trove of about three million documents, photos, and videos were released by the US Justice Department on Friday. They list of some of the world’s most rich and powerful people with ties to late financier and convicted child sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. The latest release adds numerous names to the list, including several prominent French citizens suggesting his network in France was more extensive than previously thought. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen – currently facing…
The World Bank Group has appointed Johan A. Mistiaen as the new World Bank Group Country Manager for Niger, effective today. In this role, Mr. Mistiaen will lead the World Bank Group’s engagement in Niger—spanning the World Bank (IBRD and IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)—working closely with the Government of Niger, development partners, the private sector, and civil society towards advancing the country’s development priorities. “Joining our team, clients, and partners in Niger is a privilege. I look forward to continuing building and enriching our strong partnership with Niger and leverage support…