Ethiopian track legend Kenenisa Bekele believes he is in the sort of form to break Eliud Kipchoge’s fastest ever time in the London Marathon on Sunday. Should the 34-year-old — who still holds the 5,000 and 10,000 metres world records — manage that it would be a fitting end to a week that has seen … Read more
Whether mourning the death of a musical giant, teasing presidents or launching protest movements, Africans took to social media in greater numbers than ever before in 2016. Here’s a look back at some of the most popular stories and hashtags. #TheOtherRoom The moment the words came out of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s mouth, you just … Read more
A prominent opposition leader in Ethiopia has been detained after he returned from Europe. Merera Gudina had violated Ethiopia’s state of emergency by having contact with “terrorist” and “anti-peace” groups, state-linked media reported. Mr Merera criticised the state of emergency in an address to the European parliament on 9 November. The government imposed it in … Read more
Ethiopia has imposed severe regulations under a new six-month “state of emergency” as it faces unprecedented levels of unrest across the country, a first in the government’s 25-year rule. The government says the state of emergency was put in place to prevent further loss of life and property, but many activists worry the new rules … Read more
Ethiopia’s government has declared a six-month state of emergency in the face of an unprecedented wave of violent protests. Activists in the country’s Oromia region has been holding demonstrations since last November, and protesters from the Amhara region have also joined in. The deaths of at least 55 people at an Oromo religious festival on … Read more
A political crisis of longstanding duration has been brought to the world’s attention by the actions of a competitor at the recently concluded Olympic Games. Marathon runner Feyisa Lilesa’s gesture of raising his arms aloft in the form of a cross as he was about to confirm his silver-medal position was a politically-motivated one intended … Read more
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Red-hot favourite Eliud Kipchoge stormed to a runaway gold medal in a wet men’s marathon on Sunday, the final day of competition at the Rio Olympics. The Kenyan broke away at the 35km mark and romped home to win in a time of two hours, eight minutes, 44 seconds — … Read more