Battle for Bakhmut: Russia closing off last access routes to city

French President Emmanuel Macron is on a charm offensive in Africa, visiting four nations in the continent as he tries to reset relations with former colonies that have become strained. He began in Gabon before moving on to Angola, Congo Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The French military has been heavily involved in anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel region of West Africa for the best part of a decade, but Mali and Burkina Faso have asked those troops to leave. Macron said France will now draw down all its troops at bases in Africa, instead setting up academies in partnership with local forces.

Staying in Africa, we head to the continent’s most populous nation and second economy Nigeria, where the presidential election continues to stir tensions. The ruling All Progressives Congress party candidate Bola Tinubu was declared the winner following a process that saw major delays and isolated violence. The two main opposition challengers have said the result was fraudulent and have vowed to challenge it in court. Six opposition-led states have already asked the Supreme Court to declare the outcome invalid, but the president-elect has called for unity.

Produced by Juliette Laurain, Sara Ayach and Imen Mellaz

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