NPR News -Africa

March 29, 202411:51 AM ET
This aerial photo depicts the sawmills of Lagos, Nigeria. The timber from the country’s rainforests, some of the most heavily deforested in the world, are processed in this coastal city, polluting the lagoons.

Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Robert Koch Gallery, San Francisco / Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto

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Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Robert Koch Gallery, San Francisco / Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto

Humans have made an indelible mark on the planet. Since the mid-20th century, we’ve accelerated the digging of mines, construction of dams, expansion of cities and clearing of forests for agriculture — activity that will be visible in the geological record for eons to come.
Some scientists are calling it the Anthropocene era, or the age of the humans (“anthropos” is Greek for human), and argue that geologists should recognize it as a distinct chapter in Earth’s history. But after more than a decade of investigation ..

Enlarge this imageIn this image taken from video provided by eNCA, a bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in Limpopo, South Africa, on Thursday killing multiple people, authorities said.

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In this image taken from video provided by eNCA, a bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in Limpopo, South Africa, on Thursday killing multiple people, authorities said.

AP

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
The only survivor of the crash was an 8-year-old child, who was receiving medical attention, according to authorities in the northern province of Limpopo. They said the child was seriously injured.
The Lim..

March 28, 20244:50 PM ET

Thirty years ago, Rwanda experienced one of the worst genocides of the 20th century. NPR’s Juana Summers reports from Rwanda about how the country has changed in the years since.

March 27, 20245:00 AM ET
Enlarge this imageThe palms of a patient with mpox during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. The country is now seeing a dramatic spike in mpox — with a strain that is deadlier than the one that sparked the global outbreak in 2022.

CDC/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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CDC/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The palms of a patient with mpox during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. The country is now seeing a dramatic spike in mpox — with a strain that is deadlier than the one that sparked the global outbreak in 2022.

CDC/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

“It’s just a matter of time, if nothing is done, that the transmission crosses the border in the African region and, again, globally,” says Dr. Jean Nachega, an epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh.
Nachega is one of a number of public health experts expressing alarm ov..

March 26, 20245:13 AM ET
Enlarge this imageSupporters of presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye gather outside his campaign headquarters, in Dakar, Senegal.

Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP

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Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP

Supporters of presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye gather outside his campaign headquarters, in Dakar, Senegal.

Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP

In Senegal a 44-year-old opposition leader, who was in prison less than two weeks ago has secured a stunning victory in the Presidential election there.
The run up to the polls had been marred by tensions and at one point were postponed, sparking fury across the country – fury that has now given way to celebrations. NPR Emmanuel Akinwotu reports from Lagos.
Ayen Deng Bior

March 25, 20246:10 PM ET
Enlarge this imageCommunity members gathered to discuss the events surrounding the kidnappings in their community at The Kawu District Palace which represents the seat of authority in the Kawu (spelled Kau on google maps). All official guests, meetings and pronouncements are made from the Palace.

Terna Iwar for NPR

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Terna Iwar for NPR

Community members gathered to discuss the events surrounding the kidnappings in their community at The Kawu District Palace which represents the seat of authority in the Kawu (spelled Kau on google maps). All official guests, meetings and pronouncements are made from the Palace.

Terna Iwar for NPR

Islamic insurgents and other heavily armed groups have increasingly turned to kidnapping to get money. They abduct individuals, families and even large groups and then demand to be paid to let them go. We hear the story of one family, whose life has been turned upside down by a kidnapping.

March 25, 20245:15 AM ET

The story of one Nigerian family’s kidnapping ordeal, as abductions for ransom spiral out of control in the West African country.

March 24, 20247:59 AM ET

People in Senegal will finally have the chance to vote March 24. The country’s president postponed elections last month.

March 24, 20244:32 AM ET
Enlarge this imageParents wait for news about the kidnapped LEA Primary and Secondary School Kuriga students in Kuriga, Kaduna, Nigeria, on March 9, 2024. Nearly 300 schoolchildren abducted from their school in northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna state have been released, the state governor said Sunday, March 24, more than two weeks after the children were seized from their school.

Sunday Alamba/AP

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Sunday Alamba/AP

Parents wait for news about the kidnapped LEA Primary and Secondary School Kuriga students in Kuriga, Kaduna, Nigeria, on March 9, 2024. Nearly 300 schoolchildren abducted from their school in northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna state have been released, the state governor said Sunday, March 24, more than two weeks after the children were seized from their school.

Sunday Alamba/AP

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nearly 300 kidnapped Nigerian schoolchildren have been released, local officials said Sunday, more than two weeks after the ..

March 22, 20245:39 PM ET
Senegal’s democratic resilience has been tested in recent years, and after some pre-election chaos, the West African country finally heads to the polls.
Enlarge this imageSupporters of Presidential candidate Amadou Ba gather for the last rally of the campaign in Dakar, Senegal, Friday, March 22, 2024.

Sylvain Cherkaoui/AP

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Sylvain Cherkaoui/AP

Supporters of Presidential candidate Amadou Ba gather for the last rally of the campaign in Dakar, Senegal, Friday, March 22, 2024.

Sylvain Cherkaoui/AP

Ayen Deng Bior