Ghana has welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s apology for the Catholic Church’s historic role in slavery, describing it as an “act of moral courage” that was important in the global pursuit of “truth, human dignity and justice”. The Pope issued the clearest apology yet for the Church’s involvement in legitimising slavery and its delay in condemning it for centuries. The apology was published on Monday in the Pope’s first major teaching document of his papacy, which also focused on the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). Ghana was a major hub for the transatlantic slave trade when millions of people were captured and…
Author: Montage Africa
Ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is hampering the Ebola outbreak response, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Ituri province in the east of the country was at the centre of a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict”. In a statement posted on X, Tedros said the WHO could not “build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling”. He is due to travel to DR Congo this week to spearhead efforts to contain the virus. Meanwhile Uganda has announced it is temporarily closing its border with…
The death of 16 students in a fire on Thursday has once again sparked concerns over the safety of Kenya’s boarding schools. The tragedy, which occured at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, about 120km (77 miles) north-west of capital city Nairobi, follows a string of deadly fires at boarding schools in recent years. The authorities are still investigating the cause of Thursday’s fire but parents of the students, along with Kenyans on social media, have been questioning how prepared boarding schools are for fires and whether dormitories meet the required safety standards. Roughly 12 hours after the fire, several parents…
By Rédaction Africanews A Stockholm court on Thursday wrapped up hearings in the trial of two former oil executives accused of complicity in war crimes over their business dealings during Sudan’s second civil war, with a ruling expected in December. The trial, which is the longest ever in Sweden, opened in September 2023 after more than a decade of investigations that resulted in an 80,000-page report. A court official told AFP that a ruling was expected toward the end of December. Ian Lundin of Swednen and Swiss national Alex Schneiter are accused of asking Sudan’s government to make its military…
By AP Pope Leo XIV called for robust regulation of artificial intelligence on Monday and for its developers to work for the common good rather than profit. “Artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed,” Leo said. “The word is strong, I know, but deliberately chosen because this moment needs words capable of attracting attention, awakening consciences, and indicating paths forward for humanity.” In his first encyclical, titled Magnifica Humanitas – or Magnificent Humanity – Leo also apologised for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery. He said with the advent of AI, the world is once again in danger of normalising the…
By Dominic Wabwireh with AP Mexico has offered to host Iran’s national football team during the 2026 World Cup after the United States refused overnight stays on its territory. President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico has “no problem” accommodating the squad as it travels for its matches. Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that Mexico is prepared to host Iran’s national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after logistical complications arose with the United States. Sheinbaum said FIFA approached Mexico after U.S. authorities declined to allow the Iranian squad to remain overnight on American soil during the tournament. U.S. refusal prompts…
By Rédaction Africanews Three people were killed and four others injured when a minivan travelling through a national park in Uganda hit an elephant crossing the road. The crash occurred on Sunday evening within Murchison Falls National Park in Nwoya District. The vehicle was carrying seven members of the Uganda Revenue Authority who were returning to the capital Kampala from Arua when the accident happened. The condition of the elephant isn’t known. In a post on social media, the Uganda police force urged motorists to exercise extreme caution and observe the speed limit while driving through national parts especially at night.…
By Sarah Miansoni with AFP Northern Rwanda continues to face repeated landslides and mudslides driven by heavy rainfall and fragile mountainous terrain. In March 2026, a mudslide hit the village of Vunga in Nyabihu District, causing widespread damage to homes and the local primary school. Kitchens and classrooms were covered in thick mud after the Kazirankara River overflowed following the landslide. The recurring disasters are taking a toll on the population. Local residents say the situation has worsened in recent years, as these extreme events become increasingly frequent and severe. “This land used to be excellent and valuable, but little…
By Rédaction Africanews Ethiopian opposition parties go into elections on June 1, facing threats, insurgencies, near-total state control of the media, and what they see as a pre-determined victory for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. When Abiy came to power in 2018, the first signs were encouraging. He released opposition members and journalists and resolved tensions with neighbouring Eritrea, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. But that gave way to mounting repression and what has effectively become a one-party state. His Prosperity Party (PP) took 96 percent of seats at the last election in 2021 and there is little sign…
By Rédaction Africanews For 20 years, Millicent Turay has supported her family by collecting mangrove oysters near Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, a common livelihood along the west African coast. But the activity, deeply rooted in local culture and which has enabled generations of women to make a living, is now under threat as mangrove forests deteriorate under pressure from human expansion. “We learnt how to do it for ourselves… to survive,” said the 50-year-old, speaking to AFP in the mangroves, machete and gloves in hand as she pried oysters from the tangled aerial roots. “This job is physically demanding” and…