Author: Montage Africa

By Africanews with AFP A new government-imposed curfew in Egypt is raising concerns among business owners, as authorities move to cut soaring energy costs linked to regional instability. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that shops, restaurants and malls must close by 9:00 pm on weekdays, with a slight extension to 10:00 pm on weekends. The measure, initially set for one month, aims to reduce a sharply rising energy bill that has more than doubled in recent months. But for many traders in Cairo, the decision could come at a heavy cost — especially in areas dependent on evening tourism. Ahmed…

By Jerry Fisayo-Bambi Governance, legitimacy, partnerships and global influence are set to shape Africa’s political outlook in 2026, according to a new flagship report released after a two-day high-level forum in Brussels. The Africa Political Outlook (APO) report, titled “Report on the State of African Governance: Forces of the Future,” examines political trends, governance challenges and stability prospects across the continent, presenting a forward-looking but fragile picture. “We think there are positive trends in African governance, and we think we should expose it. We should talk about it,” said Viwanou Gnassounou, chair of APO’s Advisory Board. “When we do our…

By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies Ghana’s former president Nana Akufo-Addo will head the ECOWAS mission to oversee Benin’s presidential election, the Economic Community of West African States has confirmed. The April 12 vote will choose the successor to incumbent Patrice Talon. He’s constitutionally barred from running after serving two terms in office. His decision not to challenge the law has been hailed as a sign of democratic stability in a region recently rocked by military coups and constitutional amendments to maintain power. ECOWAS says its Electoral Observation Mission will be a “catalyst for promoting democracy, good governance, and regional stability.”…

By Rédaction Africanews Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are trying to grow their own food again while surrounded by ruins and widespread destruction to farmland. But some say they lack the resources and space to plant crops, as much of the agricultural land is either under Israeli control or being used as displacement shelters. Ahmed al-Astal, who currently works as a farmer and previously owned his own land, said that much of the Gaza Strip, including the eastern parts, were used to grow crops. However, now, much of the farming and harvesting is limited only to Muwasi Khan Younis and…

By Rédaction Africanews Bilateral relations between China and Seychelles are entering a new phase, with rising trade and growing private-sector collaboration, alongside new cooperation in the blue economy and digital innovation. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng is visiting Seychelles, Kenya and South Africa from March 22nd to 30th. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Seychelles. Seychelles became a sovereign nation in 1976, and China was among the first to recognize its independence from British rule, laying the foundation for a decades-long partnership that has helped shape the small Indian Ocean island state. “This 50th…

Nigeria’s central bank has eased foreign exchange rules for international oil companies, allowing them to retain and repatriate the full value of their export earnings immediately. The new directive removes a previous “cash pooling” policy that required firms to keep part of their proceeds in local banks for up to 90 days, a measure introduced during a severe dollar shortage in 2024. Officials say the change is part of broader reforms aimed at liberalizing the FX market, stabilizing the naira, and restoring investor confidence. While the move may not instantly boost dollar supply, industry executives say it improves cash-flow management and reduces…

The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has resigned amid a chaotic time for football on the continent. Veron Mosengo-Omba said in a statement he was retiring, but his departure comes during the fallout over decisions to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and postpone the women’s tournament at the last minute. These incidents have left Caf, the governing body for African football, battling a crisis of confidence. Mosengo-Omba alluded to controversies faced during his tenure in his statement on Sunday. “Now that I have been able to dispel the suspicions that some people have…

By Rédaction Africanews The situation surrounding a possible withdrawal by the M23 rebel group remains highly unclear. While recent reports from local media and residents in North Kivu suggest that M23 fighters have been seen moving out of certain areas and abandoning long-held positions, the group itself denies that it is pulling back. In a statement shared on social media, M23 insists that the movements currently observed on several front lines are nothing more than routine, tactical troop rotations. The group maintains that there is no substantive withdrawal underway and says it remains firmly committed to protecting civilians and upholding…

By Rédaction Africanews Congo-Brazzaville’s 82-year-old President Denis Sassou Nguesso secured 95 percent of the vote in an election that extended his rule, the constitutional court said late Saturday. The March 15 election gave Sassou Nguesso, who has led the oil-rich central African country for four decades, a new five year term. “Denis Sassou Nguesso won an absolute majority and is elected president with 94.9 percent of votes on a turnout of 65.9 percent,” the head of the court, Auguste Iloki, told a public hearing. The opposition has challenged every election won by Sassou-Nguesso. Dave Mafoula, one of six candidates who…

By Rédaction Africanews In Tunisia, 67‑year‑old education unionist Slaheddine Selmi has been elected head of the powerful Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT). Presenting himself as a candidate of continuity and stability, he is widely seen as familiar with the organisation’s inner workings and acceptable to many factions inside the union. In his first remarks to Tunisian media on Saturday 28 March 2026, Selmi said he wants to put social dialogue with the government back on track after months of rupture. Originally from Kairouan and a long‑time member of the primary education union, he previously sat on the UGTT’s executive bureau.…