By AFP Supporters and critics alike see Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Cameroon as an opportunity for President Paul Biya to burnish his image on the international stage just months after a violent government crackdown on protesters. It’s not sitting well with some members of the country’s clergy. As rumours emerged of a papal visit, some of Cameroon’s Catholics voiced fears the trip would give longtime President Paul Biya a chance to polish his image six months on from deadly protests following his contested re-election. Pope Leo XIV will meet Biya on Wednesday at the start of a four-day visit…
Author: Montage Africa
By Sarah Miansoni Ghana footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two new allegations of rapes. The 32-year-old midfielder appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London (United Kingdom) on Monday (13 April). He denied twice raping a woman in the English capital in December 2020. In July 2025, Partey was already charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to alleged incidents from 2021 and 2022, Sky Sports reported. He also pleaded not guilty to those charges. The new accusations were announced in February. On Monday, Judge Tony Baumgartner agreed for all the…
By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies Nearly 70 percent of people in Sudan are now living in poverty, almost double pre-war levels, as conflict continues to devastate the country’s economy and social fabric, a senior UN official has said. According to Luca Renda of the United Nations Development Programme, poverty has surged from about 38 percent before the war to an estimated 70 percent today. The figures are based on a threshold of roughly four dollars per day, with at least a quarter of the population surviving on less than half that amount. Hardest-hit regions Conditions are particularly severe in…
By AFP Malawian police arrested the former finance minister Sunday on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office, in the latest move in a widening post-election crackdown on former senior officials. Simplex Chithyola, the leader of the opposition in the current parliament, handed himself to police after hearing he was sought by investigators, his lawyer George Kadzipatike said, confirming to AFP the charges against his client. Chithyola was finance minister between 2023 and 2025 in the government of ex-president Lazarus Chakwera that was replaced in September elections dominated by soaring costs of living in the southern African country. Figures…
By Rédaction Africanews France is debating a bill to simplify returning artworks and artefacts looted from Africa during the colonial period to their countries of origin. It specifically refers to items acquired between 1815 and 1972. It still has tens of thousands of such artefacts in its possession. The draft law was unanimously given the green light by the upper house back in January. It now needs the approval of the lower house, the National Assembly, before it can be enacted. The legislation has come under criticism across the political spectrum. The far-left France Unbowed party wants its scope to…
By Ali Bamba In Benin, the focus is now on counting the ballots following Sunday’s presidential election. As for the outcome of the race, analysts say there is little chance of a surprise result between Romuald Wadagni, the incumbent president’s handpicked successor, and opposition candidate Paul Hounkpé. But the challenges facing the next president are enormous. Pope Leo XIV is in Algeria, the first stop of an African tour. The pontiff was received by the country’s highest authorities. The head of the Catholic Church will deliver a message on peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in this country where Islam…
By Rédaction Africanews and AP A case that has shocked Uganda is now taking center stage in court. In Kampala, the trial of Christopher Okello Onyum has officially begun. He stands accused of killing four young children in a crime that has gripped the nation. Despite prosecutors saying he previously admitted to the killings, Onyum has pleaded not guilty. “I plead not guilty to this charge, my lord,” he told the court. Onyum is accused of fatally stabbing the children at a kindergarten. He was arrested on April 2 while allegedly trying to flee the scene and has denied all…
Charmain Speirs was 40 years old when she met prophet Eric Adusah. For several years Charmain had been part of one of the fastest-growing Christian movements in the world, Pentecostalism. Through her faith, she appeared to discover the happiness she’d been struggling to find but there was still something missing. “She’d just had enough of normal men,” her friend Anne-Marie says. “She wanted that man of God. She wanted what was promised for her. “Then she said: ‘I’ve met someone, a famous preacher’.” Her new love interest was the head pastor of Global Light Revival Church. Originally from Ghana, Adusah…
By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies A Burundian appeals court has partially acquitted journalist Sandra Muhoza, ending a nearly two-year detention that has raised fresh concerns about press freedom in the country. Muhoza, a reporter with La Nova Burundi, had been accused of sharing sensitive information in a private WhatsApp group. The court cleared her of undermining national unity but upheld a conviction for racial hatred — a charge carrying a lighter sentence of up to two years. Release sparks relief and criticism The journalist was released on parole on March 4 after appearing visibly weakened during earlier court hearings.…
By Rédaction Africanews Romuald Wadagni has secured a decisive win in Benin’s presidential election, taking 94 percent of the vote according to provisional results released by the electoral commission. Wadagni’s main challenger, Paul Hounkpe, conceded defeat even before the final count was complete, offering his “republican congratulations” and calling for unity beyond political divides. Low turnout, calm vote Despite the landslide, turnout was uneven, particularly in urban areas where participation ranged between 20 and 40 percent in some polling stations. Overall turnout stood at 58.75 percent, with observers praising a generally peaceful and well-organised vote. Continuity and challenges Backed by…