Ivory Coast holds its presidential election on Saturday, with incumbent Alassane Ouattara expected to win a fourth term after authorities blocked major opposition candidates from competing. The 83-year-old leader has governed the world's largest cocoa producer since 2011 and faces four lesser-known challengers at polling stations open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nearly nine million registered voters will choose among the five candidates.
Former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse chief Tidjane Thiam cannot participate due to criminal records and French citizenship, respectively. Their supporters have protested the exclusions, leading to four deaths and prompting officials to ban demonstrations. Authorities deployed 44,000 security...
The Committee to Protect Journalists demanded that Ethiopia's Media Authority reverse its decision to suspend Deutsche Welle correspondents and allow independent reporting to continue. The authority told DW on Wednesday that its Amharic service journalists violated media and hate speech regulations through coverage that failed to meet professional standards. Angela Quintal, who directs CPJ operations in Africa, said officials are using regulations to control information and silence critical voices.
Deutsche Welle responded that authorities provided no specific examples of problematic coverage and asked the government to identify which reports broke the law. The suspension follows changes to Ethiopian media regulations approved on April...
Nigeria replaced its top military leaders on Friday after reports emerged of a failed takeover attempt. President Bola Tinubu removed the chiefs of defense, army, navy, and air force in what officials described as measures to strengthen national security. The leadership changes followed media accounts of at least 16 officers planning to remove Tinubu from power, though authorities denied coup allegations.
General Olufemi Oluyede will lead the armed forces, succeeding Christopher Musa, who has held the position since 2023. Forces continue battling Boko Haram and Islamic State militants in the northeast while confronting criminal groups in the northwest and separatists in the southeast. Sixteen officers were detained earlier this month...
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan campaigned on Friday in Zanzibar, her birthplace, ahead of elections scheduled for Wednesday. More than 50 billboards bearing her image lined the airport road while green and yellow banners from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party covered the island of 1.9 million residents. Amnesty International released a report this week alleging systematic rights violations and terror tactics before the vote.
Hassan became president in 2021 after John Magufuli died while serving as her predecessor. Observers initially praised her for relaxing controls on opposition groups and journalists, but critics say she has adopted repressive tactics. Security forces were heavily deployed in Stone Town, where Hassan...
Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku called missing the Africa Cup of Nations his career's worst moment. The Black Stars failed to qualify for the Morocco tournament, ending a two-decade streak of consecutive appearances at the continental championship. Okraku told Asempa FM that leaders have worked to address problems affecting team performance at all levels of competition.
The administrator acknowledged difficulties when he assumed control in 2019 after analyzing the sport's condition. Ghana competed at tournaments in Cameroon and the Ivory Coast but struggled in both events. The national team secured a spot at the 2026 World Cup despite the recent qualifying failure.
Asante Kotoko defender Samba O'Neil apologized to supporters after the Ghanaian club exited the CAF Confederation Cup following a 6-1 aggregate loss to Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco. The Porcupine Warriors fell 1-0 in Accra before losing 5-1 in Casablanca to end their continental run.
The Congolese captain said the team must recover and pursue domestic silverware. He told fans the squad would target victories in both the Ghana Premier League and FA Cup to make up for the continental disappointment.
Kotoko will concentrate on league competition after the elimination. The club hopes to salvage its season through strong performances in local tournaments.
Ghana's communications minister has asked citizens to reconsider their opposition to foreign-born athletes seeking to play for the national soccer team. Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the country should avoid emotional decisions that could weaken the Black Stars after they qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Francis Amuzu have expressed interest in representing Ghana.
Football Association president Kurt Okraku previously stated players who declined earlier invitations would not receive another chance. Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged some athletes rejected Ghana but said the squad needs strengthening in certain areas. The minister warned that rushed judgments might create problems for the team.
Ghana will face...
Ghana's communications minister has defended national soccer team coach Otto Addo against removal calls before the 2026 World Cup. Felix Kwakye Ofosu said firing the coach would harm the squad after he led the Black Stars through the qualifying rounds. Critics want leadership changes to improve tournament performance.
Kwakye Ofosu appeared on Metro TV on Monday to support Addo's position. The minister said qualification success proves the coach can manage the team effectively. He argued Ghana should unite behind the current staff rather than create instability before the competition begins.
Addo secured World Cup entry despite difficult regional matches. The Black Stars will compete in the tournament for the fifth time. Officials will...
Heart of Lions defeated Basake Holy Stars 3-0 at Kpando Sports Stadium on Friday, moving to first place in the Premier League standings with 14 points. Coach Bashir Hayford said his team demonstrated superiority after adjusting its tactics due to wet conditions. Michael Ephson, Kwame Obeng Junior and Anthony Owusu scored for the hosts, who recovered from a loss to Bibiani GoldStars seven days earlier.
The Kpando squad maintained its perfect home record this season. Hayford told his players to switch from short distribution to longer balls as rain affected the pitch. Heart of Lions will visit the Swedru All Blacks at Swedru Sports Stadium next weekend for their eighth match of the campaign.
