Africa (except North Africa)

Felix Tshisekedi Re-Elected President Of DR Congo: Electoral Commission

KINSHASA, Jan 1 (NNN-IRIN) – Felix Tshisekedi has been re-elected as president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for a second five-year term, securing 73.34 percent of the total votes cast in the elections, held on Dec 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission said, yesterday.

Moise Katumbi, one of the main opposition candidates, attained the second position with about 18 percent of the votes, according to the commission.

The commission reported that over 18 million people, out of a total of 44 million registered voters, cast their ballots.

Russia reopens Embassy in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia has reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after it was shut more than 30 years ago, officials have said.

Burkina Faso was a close ally of former colonial power France, but has pivoted towards Russia since the military seized power in a coup in 2022.

The junta has expelled French diplomats and has shut France’s military base in the country.

At the same time, it has been strengthening military and diplomatic ties with Russia.

France had condemned the coup in Burkina Faso, as well as in neighbouring Mali and Niger.

Over 1,000 Burundian soldiers covertly deploy in eastern Congo, internal UN report says

Dec 30 (Reuters) - Over 1,000 Burundian troops have been covertly deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since October, wearing the uniform of Congolese troops and working alongside them in the fight against M23 rebels, an unpublished U.N. report seen by Reuters showed.

Citing security and intelligence sources and sources close to Congolese army command, the report by the U.N. Group of Experts in Congo said the troops were airlifted from Burundi to eastern Congo by Congolese army planes starting from Sept. 21.

Congo rules out election re-run as observers flag irregularities

KINSHASA, Dec 28 (Reuters) - The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Thursday refused opposition calls for a re-run of disputed elections, as the main observer mission reported "numerous irregularities" that could undermine some results.

Provisional results issued so far from the Dec. 20 general election show President Felix Tshisekedi with a commanding lead, but his opponents have demanded they be annulled, citing widespread issues with the roll-out and tabulation of the vote.

Zimbabwe, Zambia to share reduced water allocation for power generation at Lake Kariba

HARARE, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe and Zambia will experience further curtailed electricity generation from their two hydropower stations at Lake Kariba following a reduction in water allocation to their two power utilities for the coming year by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA).

ZRA announced Thursday that the Zimbabwe Power Company and Zambia's ZESCO Limited would equally share 16 billion cubic meters (BCM), down from the revised 30 BCM in 2023, as water inflows into the lake remained low because of poor rains in recent years.

France completes pullout of troops from Niger — AFP

NAIROBI, December 22. /TASS/: The last French troops left Niger on Friday, AFP reported, citing Nigerien military.

"Today's date marks the end of the disengagement process of French forces in the Sahel," Niger Army Lieutenant Salim Ibrahim said at a ceremony at Niamey Air Base, which used to be home to some French troops.

Congo awaits first provisional election results after messy vote

KINSHASA, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Voters in Democratic Republic of Congo were waiting on Friday for the first results from general elections after an unscheduled day-long ballot extension that prompted some opposition candidates to cry foul and call for a rerun.

The vote will determine whether President Felix Tshisekedi serves a second term after a first five years in office marked by economic hardship and spiralling insecurity in Congo's rebel-plagued east.

Cape of Good Hope closed as wildfire rages on near Cape Town in South Africa

CAPE TOWN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The well-known Cape of Good Hope was closed Friday morning as a wildfire has been burning for the fourth day on a mountain near Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.

The wildfire started Tuesday on the mountain slopes of Simon's Town, about 40 km south of Cape Town and part of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality.

Oil, gas exploration: Tanzania seeks Riyadh expertise

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 21 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — Tanzanian VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has stated that Tanzania and Saudi Arabia can collaborate in the oil and gas sector, drawing from the experience of the Middle Eastern country in that field.

Dr Mpango made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Yahya Ahmed Okeish, on Tuesday.

Tanzania has a significant ambition to elevate its global economy in the oil and gas industry. Currently, the country is leading the race in East Africa, followed by Uganda and Kenya.

Congo’s presidential vote is extended as delays and smudged ballots lead to fears about credibility

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Lengthy delays at the polls forced officials on Wednesday to extend voting in Congo’s presidential election as many residents in the mineral-rich West African nation struggled to cast ballots because of steep logistical and security challenges, raising concerns about the integrity of the process.

Polling stations that never opened on Wednesday will conduct voting on Thursday, Denis Kadima, chair of the electoral commission, said on local radio.

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