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1876

Using scientists to further his financial interest in Central Africa, Belgium's King Leopold II creates the International African Association with the support of American and European explorers and scientists. The associations goal: to "civilise" the peoples of Central Africa. The association’s "explorations" will be designed to gather information ultimately for the profit of Leopold’s company and to facilitate the deaths of millions of Congolese people.

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1876

1876

The British Foreign Office in London receives a telegram from Cape Town reporting the devastating attacks by the Bapedi nation of South Africa against the Boer Transvaal Republic. Britain seeks to take advantage by sending an army to conquer the Transvaal in the name of "restoring order." However, before the plan can be carried out, the Boers will make peace with the Bapedi.

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1876

1897

The African Association is established, in London, to "promote and protect the interests of all subjects claiming African descent, wholly or in part, in British colonies and other place, especially Africa.”  To disprove skeptics who say black people are incapable of forming a political organisation, founder Henry Sylvester Williams (pic), a lawyer from Trinidad, restricts membership to black people. Whites may be granted honourary membership. In 1900, the organisation’s name will change to The Pan-African Association to reflect the inclusion of the African diaspora throughout the world.

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1897

1946

A regional airlines to serve West Africa, West African Airways Corporation, receives its first aircraft - a De Havilland Dove - in preparation for its first flight scheduled for next month, October 1947. The route is between Lagos and Calabar in British Nigeria.

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1946

1974

The Tigrayan National Organisation is formed by nationalist leaders seeking a socialist revolution in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The group's goal is to prepare the Tigray people for armed struggle, which will be fought by the Tigray People's Liberation Front when it is founded in February, 1975.

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1974

1980

The worst air disaster to date in Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) occurs when an overloaded Zaire Air Force transport plane crashes while taking off at Kindu Airport, killing all 36 people on board.

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1980

1989

The release of the film Yaaba establishes Burkina Faso filmmaker Idrissa Ouédraogo as an internationally critically-acclaimed director.

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1989

1991

South Africa’s National Peace Accord, a critical step toward ending apartheid and establishing a non-racial democratic state, is signed by 27 political organisations and government.

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1991

1992

The Human Rights Commission of South Africa reports that 3,400 persons have died in political violence since the signing of the National Peace Accord one year ago today.

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1992

1993

Namibia signs a bilateral monetary agreement with South Africa, an essential step toward the normalisation of economic relations. (pic: Port of Walvis Bay -- South African territory handed over to Namibia on 1 March 1994)

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1993

2016

To curb juvenile delinquency, a 10 p.m. curfew for Ghanaians under 18 takes effect in northern regional capital Tamale. Children and teens out after curfew are arrested.

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2016

2020

The biggest demonstration in Mauritius in 40 years finds 25,000 Mauritians protesting for the second week in a row against they consider government’s inadequate response to an environmental disaster. A devastating oil spill from a Japanese tanker, which for some reason sailed to Mauritius and split in two, is fouling the pristine tropical beaches of this tourism-dependent country.

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2020

2020

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and Tanzania President John Magufuli co-sign a deal for a US$3.24 billion, 1,445-km East African Crude Oil Pipeline. When built, the pipeline will run from Hoima in Uganda to the Tanzania's port at Tanga.

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2020

2021

As the Coronavirus pandemic rages globally, Seychelles has the overall highest percentage of its population vaccinated against the virus. Morocco has the absolute highest number of vaccinated citizens, about 36 million. However, 80% of African countries are missing their vaccination goals. (pic: Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan is vaccinated)

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2021

Births

1955
Rafiq Hajat

Malawian human rights activist, in Blantyre, Nyasaland. Seeking accountability in Malawian governance, he was the founding director of the Institute for Policy Interaction. He co-founded the Forum for the Defence of Democracy, and utilised his positions in the business community for his causes.

1974
Hicham El Guerrouj

Moroccan Olympic athlete, in Burkane, Morocco. He became a two-time Olympics champion at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, when he took gold in the Men’s 1500 metres and Men’s 5000 metres. He was the first man in 80 years to win both Olympic events in the same year.

1978
Bright Okpoucha

Nigerian comedian known as Basketmouth, in Lagos State, Nigeria. Focusing on stand-up comedy in clubs and concert venues, he has made two albums and initiated "Basketmouth Uncensored" comedy concerts around the world.