AU - Africanews

1. Crowds flock to Antananarivo as Madagascar restores Its pre‑colonial new year

   Madagascar's traditional New Year, Alahamady Be, a pre-colonial custom abandoned for decades, has now been revived with rituals honouring ancestors, sacred fire and purification ceremonies.

2. Bola Tinubu's state visit to UK: major steel deal agreed with British PM

   British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at 10 Downing Street in London during the first state visit by the leader of Africa's most populous nation in nearly four decades.

3. Djibouti's Guelleh faces only low-profile rival in presidential ballot

   Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has ruled the strategically located Horn of Africa nation for nearly three decades, will face just one little-known challenger in next month's presidential election, according to an official decree published Wednesday.

4. Morocco’s 2025 AFCON win draws mixed emotions from supporters

   Morocco fans in Rabat expressed mixed emotions Wednesday after CAF awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to the Atlas Lions following a controversial defeat to Senegal in January's final—a decision the Senegalese federation says it will appeal.

5. “We are living in fear”: Gay people in Senegal amid crackdown

   Senegal is among more than half of African countries where same-sex relations are illegal. But it is now moving toward stricter enforcement.