Africa (except North Africa)

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.

36 days at sea: How these castaways survived hallucinations, thirst and desperation: Senegal

FASS BOYE, Senegal (AP) — A month had passed when the first four men decided to jump.

Countless cargo ships had navigated past them, yet no one had come to their rescue. Their fuel was finished. The hunger and thirst were overwhelming. Dozens had already died, including the captain.

Kenya secures 2,500 jobs in Saudi Arabia – President

NAIROBI, Dec 16 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya has reached an agreement to send workers to Saudi Arabia, the country’s President William Ruto says.

Under the deal reached on Thursday, nurses and other skilled workers will go to the Middle Eastern country from Kenya, with 2,500 workers planned for the first deployment.

“Previously, we only sent domestic workers, but now we can export skilled labour to Saudi Arabia and other countries,” President Ruto said on Friday, adding that the workers will receive a monthly salary of 200,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,300; £1,000).

Hundreds of ADF fighters killed in DR Congo following Uganda airstrikes – Pres Museveni

KAMPALA, Dec 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ugandan troops killed about 200 ADF fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the military operations to flush out the Daesh group-affiliated militants continue, Uganda’s president said.

“We have been carrying out air attacks on the terrorists in Congo,” President Yoweri Museveni said on X, formerly Twitter, adding that around “200 of them were killed” in strikes carried out on Sept 16.

More strikes against the fighters have been carried out since then, Museveni added, without giving further details.

Kenya to abolish visa requirement for all foreign visitors beginning January

NAIROBI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Foreign visitors to Kenya will not be required to have a visa beginning January 2024, President William Ruto announced Tuesday during the celebration of Jamhuri Day, or Independence Day, held in Nairobi, the capital.

Ruto said all foreign nationals will enter the county without a visa from January next year, a move that is expected to boost tourism.

South Africa to build new nuclear plants

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The South African government will begin the process of adding 2,500 megawatts (MW) to its nuclear capacity, with the first commissioning expected in 2032 or 2033, a senior official said Tuesday.

"We are triggering a procurement process. We are going out to ensure that we are able to get that additional 2,500 MW of nuclear capacity to ensure energy security and sovereignty. This is a significant milestone," said Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, minister in the Presidency responsible for electricity, at a media briefing.

Kenya to scrap visas for all visitors, president says

NAIROBI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Visitors to Kenya from across the world will no longer require a visa from January, President William Ruto said on Tuesday.

Ruto said his government had developed a digital platform to ensure all visitors would receive an electronic travel authorisation in advance, instead of needing to apply for a visa.

"It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya," he said in a speech in the capital Nairobi at an event to mark 60 years of independence from Britain.

UN peacekeeping mission officially ends in Mali

BAMAKO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has officially ended its 10-year deployment, MINUSMA head El-Ghassim Wane said in Bamako, the capital city.

Regarding the MINUSMA withdrawal process, 10 of the 13 areas occupied by the UN force have already been closed and handed over to the Malian authorities, Wane told an official ceremony Monday marking the final withdrawal of MINUSMA.

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