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Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Violence erupts in Kenya as 'goons' attack protesters over death in police custody
Hundreds of men armed with whips and clubs, known locally as 'goons', attacked groups of protesters in Kenya on Tuesday. The demonstrations were sparked by the recent death of a man while in police custody. According to reports, one person was killed during Tuesday's unrest, and a Kenyan police officer has since been arrested in connection with the shooting. One person was killed in the Kenyan capital on Tuesday during protests, according to a witness,cited in Reuters news agency, who reported seeing the body of a man lying on the ground with a bleeding head wound. The cause of the fatal injury was not immediately clear. Kenyan police were seen firing tear gas at protesters. A police spokesperson later confirmed that a Kenyan police officer had been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of an unarmed civilian during the unrest. In central Nairobi — the epicentre of last year's demonstrations — small groups of protesters gathered peacefully, calling for an end to police brutality and demanding the resignation of a senior officer they hold responsible for the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang earlier this month. Shortly after, a group of men on motorbikes — known locally as "goons" — arrived at the scene, armed with whips and clubs, according to AFP journalists. Tensions have been escalating across the country as the first anniversary of last year's so-called 'Gen Z' protests approaches. The government has been keen to prevent a repeat of last year's unrest. However, Kenyans returned to the streets this week following the death of 31-year-old Ojwang, who died in police custody on 8 June 2025. A helicopter was also seen hovering over the central business district. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Kenya protests reignited by custody death, but 'Gen Z' movement remains dividedSilencing dissent in Tanzania, reckoning with genocide in NamibiaKenya protests erupt after activist Albert Ojwang dies in police custody
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China to remove tariffs on African imports to boost trade
China says it will sign a new economic pact with Africa that will get rid of all tariffs on the 53 African states it has diplomatic ties with – a move that could benefit middle-income nations as they prepare for tariff hikes on products entering the United States. The move, announced at a China-Africa co-operation meeting (FOCAC) in Changsha, central China, comes as the continent faces the possibility of increased tariffs on its products entering the US. The Asian economic giant already offers duty- and quota-free market access to least developed countries (LDCs), including 53 countries in Africa, but the new initiative will level the playing field by also offering middle-income countries similar market access. Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is the only African country excluded from the zero-tariff deal. It maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, whereas China regards it as a breakaway province. The timing of Beijing's decision is significant. In April, President Donald Trump announced high tariffs on its imports from many countries, including a 50 percent rate for Lesotho, 30 percent for South Africa and 14 percent for Nigeria. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:China courts African allies as tensions with Europe, US deepenFrance pushing for 'China-EU leadership' on climate to counter US withdrawalKenyan president visits China as country pivots away from the US
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Egypt detains pro-Palestinian activists ahead of Gaza solidarity march
Egyptian authorities have detained more than 200 pro-Palestinian activists who arrived in Cairo by plane as part of a solidarity march to Gaza to push for increased humanitarian aid access to the enclave. A convoy that left Tunisia for Gaza is currently blocked in Libya. "Over 200 participants were detained at Cairo airport or questioned at hotels across Cairo," the march's spokesperson, Saif Abukeshek, told France's AFP news agency on Thursday. The detainees included people from Algeria, Australia, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States, he said. Plainclothes officers entered Cairo hotels on Wednesday with lists of names, questioning activists, and in some cases, confiscating phones and searching personal belongings, Abukeshek said. "After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released." More than 20 French activists who had planned to join [Friday's] march were held at Cairo airport for 18 hours, he said. "What happened was completely unexpected," Abukeshek said. Egyptian authorities said the measures were the result of failure to follow proper procedures, including obtaining prior consent from embassies and securing visas. Cairo maintains that the march towards Rafah constitutes a threat to both its own security and that of the participants. After 21 months of war, Israel is facing mounting international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, which the United Nations has dubbed "the hungriest place on Earth". Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:French left demonstrates in support of Gaza-bound aid boatIsrael sends military to block Gaza-bound aid boat carrying activistsFrance threatens tougher stance on Israel as US proposes new Gaza ceasefire plan
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Bullets unearthed in Senegal cemetery could shed light on Thiaroye massacre
Archaeologists in Senegal have uncovered skeletons with bullets lodged in the bodies during the first excavation of a cemetery at the former military camp of Thiaroye outside Dakar, where French soldiers massacred African colonial troops. Excavations at the Thiaroye military cemetery began in early May. These are aimed at shedding light on the events of 1 December, 1944, when African riflemen who had fought for France during the Second World War – known as tirailleurs – were shot dead after protesting against unpaid wages. The episode marks one of the worst massacres during French colonial rule, and questions remain concerning the number of soldiers killed, their identities and where they were buried. French authorities at the time said 35 people had been killed, but historians say the real death toll could be as high as 400. "Human skeletons were discovered with bullets in their bodies, some in the chest," a source close to the matter told France's AFP news agency, adding that the bullets were of different calibres. Visual retelling of Thiaroye massacre sheds new light on French colonial atrocity Only a small section of the cemetery has been excavated so far, the source said, adding that forensic analysis is now required to determine the type of bullets and weapons used and to identify individuals buried at the site. The French forces opened fire on the soldiers on 1 December of that year. (with newswires) Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Visual retelling of Thiaroye massacre sheds new light on French colonial atrocitySenegal mourns Thiaroye war heroes slain by French troops 80 years ago
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Macron courts Jakarta, offers Indonesia 'third way' in regional power play
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Indonesia is part of France's ongoing efforts to increase its engagement in Southeast Asia and pursue a strategic role as a balancing power in the Indo-Pacific region. The Jakarta stop, following a visit to Vietnam earlier in the week, is the second leg of a broader regional tour designed to promote Macron's so-called 'third way' – a middle path between the growing influence of the United States and China. As Southeast Asia's largest economy and the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has become a key partner in this vision. During Macron's visit this Wednesday, the two countries signed a series of agreements across defence, trade, agriculture, energy, and disaster management. Macron champions 'rules-based order' as France courts Vietnam Defence cooperation took centre stage in the talks, with Macron confirming a letter of intent that could lead to new Indonesian orders for French Rafale fighter jets, Scorpène submarines, and light frigates - building on a €7 billion deal in 2022 for 42 Rafales. While France has yet to deliver any Rafales, the planned arrival of the first six in 2026 signals a steady shift in Indonesia's procurement strategy. Jakarta, once reliant on Russian military equipment, is now turning increasingly to French suppliers. The visit also had a strong diplomatic dimension, particularly on the Israel-Palestine issue. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Former admiral urges Australia to renege on Aukus deal and buy French subsFrance and Japan hold joint military exercises in signal to China, RussiaMacron champions France's military role in Djibouti as key to Indo-Pacific strategy
