Author: Amnewsworld

Kenyans prayed for peace Sunday as they waited anxiously for the final outcome of a tight presidential race, with the two frontrunners neck and neck, according to partial official results. As of Sunday morning, Deputy President William Ruto had scored 51.25 percent of the vote, reversing earlier gains for his main rival Raila Odinga, who had 48.09 percent, according to data from the election commission covering nearly 50 percent of constituencies. Tuesday’s vote passed off largely peacefully but after previous elections sparked deadly violence and rigging claims, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is under intense pressure to deliver…

Kenya has postponed the reopening of school to next Monday as vote counting continues across the country following Tuesday’s (August 9) elections. The schools were scheduled to reopen on Thursday. Hundreds of primary and secondary schools are normally used as polling stations in Kenya. In a statement, education minister, Prof George Magoha apologized to the public for any inconveniences that may have been caused by the delay, but said the government was keen on “ensuring the safety and comfort of learners through this period”. Last week’s decision to close schools abruptly caught many schools and parents unawares leading to chaotic…

The threat from the Islamic State extremist group is growing by the day in Africa and the continent could be “the future of the caliphate,” an African security expert warned the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday. Martin Ewi said the Islamic State “has expanded its influence beyond measure” in Africa, with at least 20 countries directly experiencing the extremist group’s activity and more than 20 others “being used for logistics and to mobilize funds and other resources.” “They are now regional hubs, which have become corridors of instability in Africa,” said Ewi, who coordinates a transnational organized crime project at…

Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo has dissociated himself from a social media post claiming he had written to the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress in the 2023 general elections Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to support Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Akufo-Addo described the viral post authored in his name as disturbing, completely false and mischievous. The president said he did not author that post and will not interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs and politics. He said: “My attention has been drawn to a disturbing post making the rounds on social media, where it is alleged I have written…

Kenyans are waiting for the results of a close but calm presidential election in which the turnout was notably lower than usual, and the electoral commission indicated it would be at least Thursday before a winner is declared. Tuesday’s election was likely the final try by longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga, who on his fifth attempt was backed by former rival and outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta. The other top contender is Deputy President William Ruto, who fell out with the president earlier in their decade in power. Voters have expressed little hope of real change and frustration with rising prices…

Ghana is expecting to receive $3 billion dollars over three years from the International Monetary Fund, if an agreement on a program is reached, international news agency, Bloomberg reported. Bloomberg reported that the loan requested was double the amount of $1.5 billion the west African nation was requesting a month ago. According to the news portal, the source agreed to give the information on condition of anonymity. “Since negotiations for the program are starting now, it’s too early to comment on the final form the program will take,” an IMF spokeswoman said in an emailed response. “The Extended Credit Facility…

The suspected gunmen who killed dozens of worshippers during a church service in southwestern Nigeria in June have been arrested, Nigeria’s top military officer said on Tuesday (August 9). This comes two months after the attack which shocked many in the West African nation. “We have arrested those behind the dastardly act in Owo,” General Leo Irabor, Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, said in a meeting with local media, reported by Abuja-based Daily Trust newspapers. Neither Irabor nor the police who confirmed the arrest to The Associated Press provided further details into the development. The Nigerian general however said investigations…

Israeli troops killed three Palestinians and injured dozens more in a shootout Tuesday during an arrest operation in the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The shootout came a day after a cease-fire ended three days of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group in the Gaza Strip. Israeli police said forces surrounded the home of Ibrahim al-Nabulsi, who they say was wanted for a string of shootings in the West Bank earlier this year. It confirmed that al-Nabulsi and another Palestinian militant were killed in a shootout at the…

Kenyans voted largely peacefully on Tuesday as two political heavyweights battled it out in a high-stakes race for the presidency of the East African powerhouse. The country is hoping for an orderly transition of power after almost a decade under two-term President Uhuru Kenyatta, but concerns about vote-rigging linger after past election disputes spiraled into bloodshed. Deputy President and erstwhile heir apparent William Ruto, 55, is running against Raila Odinga, the 77-year-old veteran opposition leader now backed by longtime rival Kenyatta after a stunning shift in allegiances. Across the nation, voters lined up well before dawn to cast their ballots…

Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria, is struggling with the inflationary pressure that results from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Faced with soaring costs many Nigerians are now buying basic products in small quantities to be consumed on the same day. “not everybody has money to buy in bulk. Like this baby now, if he wants to drink ‘Pure Water’ (brand of water sachet sold in Nigeria that costs 250 nairas or $0.60, ed.) but you cannot have money to buy in bulk, you can only buy one and drink. Because things are too expensive”, complained Nigerian vendor Babalola Rose. In the streets of…