By Dominic Wabwireh with AP Tens of thousands of Ethiopians, predominantly from the Oromo ethnic group, gathered in the capital Saturday for the vibrant Irreecha festival, a thanksgiving celebration that this year underscored a complex mix of cultural resurgence, political symbolism, and lingering community grievances. Dressed in traditional white attire, participants gathered to express gratitude to God, known as Waaqa, marking one of the most significant events in the Oromo calendar. The festival, which also promotes peace and unity, includes the traditional practice of Waaqqeffannaa. For the Oromo, who comprise about a third of Ethiopia’s population, Irreecha is a powerful…
Author: Montage Africa
By Rédaction Africanews and FAO Renowned Nigerian fashion designer Alphadi led a masterclass for students at Rome’s Academy of Fashion to celebrate African cotton and design as part of the events held by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to celebrate World Cotton Day on 7 October. During a two-day class in September, Alphadi taught 14 students currently earning their degrees at Rome’s Academy of Fashion how to blend African and Italian fashion traditions. Known as “the Magician of the Desert” for his internationally recognised work in haute couture, Alphadi worked with the students in creating…
By Rédaction Africanews with AP Chad said it has withdrawn a mandate held by a non-profit conservation group associated with Prince Harry to manage its wildlife reserves, accusing the leading charity of not doing enough to stop poaching. African Parks showed “a recurring indelicate and disrespectful attitude toward the government,” Environment Minister Hassan Bakhit Djamous said in a statement. He also said there had been a resurgence in poaching and a lack of investment at the reserves managed by the conservation group. African Parks said in a statement it was in talks to “better understand the government’s position” and “explore…
By Africanews On Tuesday, 7 October 2025, the gruesome trial of pig farmer Zachariah Olivier and his employee William Musora resumed before the Polokwane High Court. The case has rattled the nation for its shocking allegations: that two women were shot and their bodies fed to pigs to conceal the crime. Earlier in the week, the State formally withdrew charges against one co-accused, Adriaan Rudolph De Wet, after he agreed to testify under South Africa’s Section 204 procedure. De Wet now faces prosecution drop only if the court finds his testimony “frank and honest.” During prior proceedings, De Wet claimed he was coerced by Olivier…
Africa’s digital future hinges not on simply adopting the latest artificial intelligence (AI) innovations, but on shaping them to fit the continent’s vast, complex cultural tapestry. As the world turns to Africa as a potential leader in ethical technology, the challenge—and promise—of truly inclusive governance has never been more urgent. (Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, Strathmore) One-Size-Fits-All? The Dangers for African AI Global conversations about AI often lean on imported frameworks, based on norms from other continents. But Africa’s 1.4 billion people represent hundreds of languages, myriad cultures, and highly varied business and governance traditions, as reflected…
By Rédaction Africanews Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to settle a $32.8 million data privacy fine with the Nigerian government, marking a significant moment for digital rights enforcement in Africa. The fine was imposed by Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in February 2025 for alleged violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Meta was accused of using Nigerian users’ data for behavioural advertising without explicit consent, processing personal data of non-users, failing to file mandatory compliance audits, and transferring user data abroad without authorisation. The settlement, expected to be finalised by the end…
Africa has entered a new era of renewable energy growth, with recent data showing record solar import volumes, particularly from China. As panels flood African markets, the urgent question arises: How can these imports be harnessed to deliver sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy across the continent? The Africa Energy Indaba, scheduled for 3 – 5 March 2026 in Cape Town, will assemble industry leaders, policy-makers, financiers, and technology innovators to tackle this core challenge: converting solar imports into real, operational power systems. Conversations at the Indaba will centre on building local manufacturing, advancing storage and grid integration, and unlocking financing and industrial strategies…
By Agencies UNESCO is set to welcome its first-ever Director-General from the Arab world after Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khaled el-Anani, was nominated by the organization’s Executive Board on Monday. If confirmed by the General Conference in November, el-Anani, 54, will take over an agency facing major financial and political challenges — including the recent U.S. withdrawal and growing global divisions over conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking after his nomination, el-Anani pledged to serve all nations equally, promising a leadership that strengthens UNESCO’s role in education, science, culture, communication, and information — all treated as “global public goods.” Khaled…
By Rédaction Africanews and Malaika Elysee The Beni garrison military court handed down its verdict on Monday evening, after two weeks of an intense trial in a case of collaboration with the Allied Democratic Forces. The trial marks a turning point in the fight against terrorism in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Twenty-three people received sentences ranging from five to 20 years of penal servitude. They were convicted on charges of participation in an insurrectionary movement, criminal conspiracy, as well as financing and carrying out acts of terrorism. Civil society welcomed this decision, even though appeals remain possible. The court’s presiding…
A Russian cargo plane operated by Abakan Air, a company under US sanctions for transporting military equipment, recently landed in South Africa. The country’s transport department confirmed that it had issued a flight permit for the aircraft, stating it was unaware of the US blacklisting and noting that it had not imposed its own sanctions on the operator. This incident revives diplomatic friction, echoing a 2022 dispute when a sanctioned Russian ship docked near Cape Town. Relations between the US and South Africa have grown increasingly strained under the Trump administration, which has frozen aid and imposed high tariffs. …