Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • New Zealand’s Milne, Bracewell suffer injuries ahead of T20 World Cup

    New Zealand’s Milne, Bracewell suffer injuries ahead of T20 World Cup

    New Zealand’s campaign for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup has encountered a significant hurdle with two key players sustaining injuries just weeks before the tournament. Pace bowler Adam Milne and all-rounder Michael Bracewell both suffered muscle injuries during separate matches on Sunday, casting doubt on their participation in the global cricket championship scheduled to begin February 7 across India and Sri Lanka.

    Milne, known for his express bowling, damaged his left hamstring while delivering a ball for Sunrisers Eastern Cape during a SA20 league match in South Africa. The injury occurred during his bowling spell and has prompted immediate medical assessment to determine the severity and recovery timeline.

    Simultaneously, Bracewell sustained a left calf strain while fielding during the third One-Day International against India in Indore. New Zealand Cricket officials confirmed both injuries in an official statement, indicating that Bracewell’s condition would be monitored closely before determining his continued involvement in the ongoing tour.

    In response to these developments, the selectors have called up all-rounder Kristian Clarke as backup for the first three T20 Internationals against India, beginning Wednesday. Clarke, who recently impressed during the ODI series against India, will provide additional pace-bowling options for the Black Caps.

    Head coach Rob Walter addressed the challenging situation, noting: ‘We’re managing considerable player movement at this crucial juncture. Some athletes are returning from previous injuries, others are transitioning directly from franchise commitments, and the remainder are coming off the ODI series. This presents an excellent opportunity for Kristian to extend his stay with the squad following his impressive demonstration of talent and composure under pressure during the ODI matches.’

    New Zealand’s World Cup campaign commences in Group D against Afghanistan on February 8 in Chennai, with these injury concerns adding complexity to their final preparations for the prestigious tournament.

  • Jubilant Senegal fans join the Afcon champions parade

    Jubilant Senegal fans join the Afcon champions parade

    The streets of Dakar transformed into a sea of vibrant green, red, and gold as an immense wave of euphoric supporters welcomed home Senegal’s national football heroes. Following their decisive victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, the champions embarked on a triumphant parade through the capital, marking a historic moment for the nation.

    An estimated multitude numbering in the hundreds of thousands materialized along the procession route, creating an atmosphere of collective jubilation. Fans, adorned in national team jerseys and waving Senegalese flags, climbed onto infrastructure and filled every available vantage point to catch a glimpse of their returning idols. The air resonated with rhythmic drumming, passionate chanting, and the unified roar of a proud nation.

    The open-top bus carrying the squad, prominently featuring the gleaming AFCON trophy, moved slowly through the throngs of people. Players, visibly emotional and overwhelmed by the display of national pride, interacted with the crowd, singing along and recording the unforgettable scenes on their phones. This victory parade signifies more than a sporting achievement; it represents a powerful moment of national unity and a culmination of years of dedicated effort in Senegalese football.

    The government declared a national holiday to facilitate the celebrations, acknowledging the team’s role in bolstering national morale. This win, Senegal’s first-ever AFCON title after previous final losses, cements the team’s legacy and inspires a new generation of athletes across the country.

  • Malawi raises fuel prices by more than 40%

    Malawi raises fuel prices by more than 40%

    Malawi’s Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has announced substantial increases in fuel prices, elevating petrol and diesel costs by over 40% in its latest adjustment. This development marks the second significant price hike within a four-month period, intensifying economic pressures on citizens already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis.

    The regulatory body justified Tuesday’s decision by declaring the previous administration’s fixed pricing mechanism ‘unsustainable,’ citing substantial financial losses under that system. Since President Peter Mutharika assumed office in October, cumulative fuel price increases have reached alarming levels—95% for petrol and 80% for diesel.

    Mera has transitioned to an automatic pricing mechanism that aligns fuel costs with international market fluctuations and shipping expenses. Dad Chinthambi, Mera’s acting CEO, emphasized that the adjustment is essential for maintaining sustainable fuel supplies, supporting electricity services, and funding critical infrastructure projects including road maintenance and rural electrification initiatives.

    Despite improvements in fuel availability compared to the severe shortages experienced under former President Lazarus Chakwera, the price surge has triggered immediate economic repercussions. Transportation fares have risen sharply nationwide, with anticipated increases in food prices and other essential goods following previous fuel and sales tax adjustments.

    The Human Rights Defenders Coalition, a Malawian civil society organization, warned that ‘fuel is not a luxury commodity’ and that any increase produces cascading effects throughout the economy. Many citizens have expressed disappointment through social media and radio programs, expecting the current administration to improve economic conditions rather than replicate previous outcomes.

    The government continues to pursue financial stabilization measures and is negotiating potential assistance packages with the International Monetary Fund amid growing economic challenges.

  • Ex-president accused of murder plot expelled from Togo to Burkina Faso

    Ex-president accused of murder plot expelled from Togo to Burkina Faso

    In a significant development for West African politics, Togolese authorities have arrested and extradited former Burkina Faso president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba to face serious charges in his home country. The ousted leader, who held power for less than a year after seizing control in a January 2022 coup, now confronts allegations of orchestrating an assassination plot against his successor, current military ruler Ibrahim Traoré.

    According to an official statement from Togo’s justice ministry, Damiba was transferred to Burkinabè authorities on Saturday following extensive diplomatic negotiations. The extradition agreement includes specific safeguards requiring Burkina Faso to guarantee Damiba’s “physical integrity, dignity and fair-trial rights” while excluding the possibility of capital punishment in his case.

    The charges against the former president extend beyond the assassination conspiracy to include substantial financial crimes. Burkina Faso’s military government has accused Damiba of “criminal embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, corruption, aggravated receiving of stolen goods and money laundering.” These allegations emerge amid ongoing political instability in the country.

    The most severe accusations involve a recently foiled assassination scheme. Earlier this month, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced on state television that security forces had prevented targeted killings designed to destabilize the nation, including the “neutralization” of Traoré. Officials have consistently identified Damiba as the mastermind behind such plots from exile, labeling him as head of the “military wing” of a broader conspiracy in late 2024.

    Damiba’s political trajectory reflects Burkina Faso’s turbulent recent history. He initially seized power citing frustration with the elected government’s inability to contain Islamist violence, only to be overthrown eight months later by Traoré, then a 34-year-old artillery officer who similarly criticized Damiba’s security performance.

    The current junta under Traoré has pursued increasingly assertive policies, including expelling French forces, adopting nationalist positions, and controversially reinstating the death penalty for crimes of high treason. Despite these measures, the country continues to grapple with one of the world’s most severe security crises as jihadist attacks persist across large regions.

    Political analysts suggest Damiba’s extradition and impending trial may exacerbate existing tensions within Burkina Faso’s military and political establishment. The situation highlights the fragile stability of a government simultaneously combating internal rivalries and a brutal insurgency, raising questions about the nation’s political future.

  • South African authorities revise death toll in school bus crash to 12 as driver is arrested

    South African authorities revise death toll in school bus crash to 12 as driver is arrested

    South African officials have confirmed the devastating death toll from Monday’s catastrophic school bus collision stands at twelve children, with authorities subsequently arresting the driver on serious criminal charges. The privately-operated minibus, which was transporting students to various educational institutions south of Johannesburg, collided head-on with a truck during the morning commute.

    Gauteng Province Premier Panyaza Lesufi, alongside health department representatives, provided updated casualty figures clarifying that all twelve fatalities occurred at the accident scene, contradicting earlier reports of a thirteenth victim succumbing to injuries at medical facilities. The deceased included nine girls and three boys, while five additional children, the bus driver, and a truck passenger required hospitalization for their injuries.

    Law enforcement authorities took the 22-year-old driver into custody following his medical discharge, filing charges encompassing twelve counts of culpable homicide—a legal equivalent to manslaughter—plus accusations of reckless and negligent operation. Preliminary investigations based on witness accounts indicate the minibus was attempting to overtake other vehicles immediately before the catastrophic collision.

    Further compounding the tragedy, Premier Lesufi revealed the driver’s operating permit for the minibus had expired prior to the incident. The accident occurred during the first week of resumed academic activities following South Africa’s year-end holidays, highlighting persistent concerns regarding student transportation safety standards.

    Child Safe, a prominent advocacy organization, had earlier this month urgently cautioned parents to exercise heightened vigilance when selecting privately-operated school transport services, specifically warning against poorly maintained vehicles and unlicensed operators—issues tragically manifested in this week’s devastating collision.

  • Togo says it has extradited Burkina Faso’s former junta leader

    Togo says it has extradited Burkina Faso’s former junta leader

    LAGOS, Nigeria — Togolese judicial authorities have approved the extradition of Burkina Faso’s former military leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba to face multiple criminal charges in his home country. The decision, announced Tuesday by Togo’s Ministry of Justice, follows a formal request from Burkina Faso’s current military government.

    The Lomé Court of Appeal granted the extradition based on reciprocal assurances from Burkinabè authorities and specific guarantees that Damiba will not face capital punishment. The former junta leader, who had been residing in Togo since his overthrow in September 2022, was apprehended on January 16 amid allegations of his involvement in a recently foiled coup attempt.

    Damiba faces serious charges including criminal misappropriation of public funds and incitement to commit crimes. His brief tenure from January to September 2022 ended when current junta leader Ibrahim Traoré deposed him, marking consecutive military takeovers in the volatile West African nation.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of escalating regional instability. Since 2020, West Africa has witnessed a disturbing pattern of military interventions, with soldiers justifying power seizures by citing deteriorating security conditions. Armed group attacks have proliferated across the Sahel region and increasingly threatened coastal areas.

    Burkina Faso now stands among three West African nations under military rule that have severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), further complicating regional diplomacy and security cooperation.

  • Ivory Coast will buy unsold cocoa stocks as prices plunge

    Ivory Coast will buy unsold cocoa stocks as prices plunge

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – The Ivorian government has announced emergency market intervention measures to address a severe crisis in its cocoa sector, the world’s largest. With approximately 700,000 tons of cocoa beans remaining unsold due to plummeting global prices, authorities will purchase existing stocks at guaranteed seasonal rates to maintain export operations and ensure farmer compensation.

    The crisis emerged in recent months as global cocoa prices sharply declined from record highs. According to Synapci, the nation’s primary cocoa farmers’ union, many agricultural producers have endured nearly two months without income, forcing some to sell at discounted rates or destroy spoiled inventory.

    Agriculture Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani sought to reassure stakeholders during a Tuesday press briefing. “We want to reassure them. The situation is now under control, and collection operations will begin in the coming days,” he stated, confirming the government’s commitment to market stabilization.

    Ivory Coast’s unique market structure differentiates it from most African nations. Through the Coffee and Cocoa Council, approximately 85% of the annual harvest (representing 2-2.5 million metric tons) is pre-sold at fixed prices to shield farmers from volatility. The current crisis involves the remaining 15% portion, which multinational buyers have refused to purchase following price declines.

    The government had set a record price of $5,000 per metric ton in October 2025 ahead of presidential elections, but global prices have since fallen to approximately $4,630. With the mid-crop season price announcement scheduled for April 1 expected to reflect further decreases, market uncertainty persists.

    Farmer representatives remain skeptical despite government assurances. Synapci President Moussa Koné questioned the implementation: “They are making nice promises, but what guarantees are they offering? And what about those who have already had to throw away cocoa that rotted because of the blockade?”

  • Nigerian homicide police investigate death of singer Destiny Boy at 22

    Nigerian homicide police investigate death of singer Destiny Boy at 22

    Nigerian authorities have launched an investigation into the untimely death of 22-year-old music sensation Destiny Boy, born Afeez Adesina, whose passing has sent shockwaves through the nation’s entertainment community. The Ogun State Police Department’s homicide unit has confirmed one arrest made in connection with their ongoing probe, though specific details regarding the detainee remain undisclosed.

    The emerging Afrofuji artist, celebrated for his innovative fusion of traditional Yoruba Fuji rhythms with contemporary Afrobeats, passed away unexpectedly last Sunday. While official causes remain undetermined, family representatives have disclosed his prolonged battle with a severe medical condition that reportedly caused recurrent seizures. His remains were promptly interred following Islamic funeral customs, precluding any pathological examination.

    Destiny Boy first captured national attention through his 2019 viral reinterpretation of pop icon Davido’s chart-topping single ‘If,’ which propelled him from backup dancer for Fuji legend Pasuma at T2 Boys Studios to mainstream recognition. He subsequently developed an original discography while continuing to produce acclaimed covers of popular tracks.

    Social media platforms have become inundated with tributes and speculative content since his death, including disturbing footage purportedly showing his body being transported to a mortuary. This has fueled widespread public debate regarding the circumstances surrounding his demise. Notable among the reactions was fellow artist Ruger’s online expression of frustration over the absence of autopsy procedures, stating Nigerians must simply ‘accept that he’s dead.’

    In emotional testimonies, family members described extensive efforts to manage his condition through both conventional medical treatment and traditional healing practices. His mother, Saida, recounted harrowing episodes where relatives physically restrained him during seizures to prevent self-harm, noting the illness ‘had almost run him mad.’

    The tragedy arrives barely a year after Destiny Boy welcomed his first child with partner Iremide in November 2024, compounding the personal loss for his surviving family. The music industry mourns a promising talent whose innovative sound represented the vibrant evolution of Nigeria’s cultural exports.

  • South Sudan president fires interior minister in a move threatening peace agreement

    South Sudan president fires interior minister in a move threatening peace agreement

    In a move that significantly undermines South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement, President Salva Kiir has abruptly dismissed Interior Minister Angelina Teny, a prominent opposition figure and wife of detained First Vice President Riek Machar. The Monday evening dismissal, executed without public explanation, represents a serious breach of the 2018 power-sharing arrangement that had allocated the Interior Ministry portfolio to the opposition.

    President Kiir immediately appointed Aleu Ayieny Aleu, a veteran loyalist who previously held the interior minister position from 2013 to 2015, signaling a consolidation of power within the presidential circle. This political maneuver occurs against a backdrop of escalating military tensions across multiple regions, including Jonglei state where Machar-aligned forces alongside White Army fighters have captured strategic territories including Pajut town in Duk County, threatening the approach to the state capital Bor.

    The dismissal further exacerbates the already precarious security situation, with fresh clashes reported in Unity, Upper Nile, and parts of Central and Eastern Equatoria states. International observers and regional peace guarantors have expressed growing alarm at the systematic unraveling of key provisions from the 2018 peace accord, particularly regarding security sector reforms and the unification of forces which remain largely unimplemented.

    Teny’s removal follows her effective marginalization from the Interior Ministry since March 2025, when security agents confiscated her communication devices and her husband was placed under house arrest on treason charges related to violence in Upper Nile state. Opposition spokesperson Pal Mai Deng characterized the dismissal as ‘a clear sign of desperation’ from a government ‘crumbling under pressure’ as security conditions deteriorate nationwide.

  • Anthony Joshua’s driver appears in court after crash that killed two

    Anthony Joshua’s driver appears in court after crash that killed two

    The chauffeur operating the vehicle carrying heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua during a catastrophic collision that claimed two lives has made his initial court appearance in Nigeria. Adeniyi Kayode, 46, arrived at Sagamu Magistrates Court in Ogun state on Tuesday facing multiple criminal charges.

    The December 29th incident occurred on the heavily traveled Lagos-Ibadan expressway when the Lexus SUV driven by Kayode collided with a stationary lorry. The crash resulted in the immediate deaths of Joshua’s personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Ghami. Joshua sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment but was discharged within two days.

    Kayode, who appeared in court dressed entirely in black attire including a hoodie, trousers, and shoes, remains charged with four offenses: death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, operating a vehicle without due care, and driving without a valid license. The case has been adjourned until February 25th after prosecutors requested additional time to obtain comprehensive legal counsel.

    Following the tragedy, Joshua posted an emotional tribute on Instagram honoring his deceased team members, acknowledging the profound impact of their loss while recognizing the greater suffering experienced by their families. The boxer had been traveling to visit relatives in Sagamu, his ancestral hometown, for New Year celebrations when the accident occurred.

    Kayode had previously been released from custody after posting bail set at 5 million naira (approximately $3,500). The legal proceedings continue as authorities pursue justice for the victims of this devastating roadway incident.