Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The Democratic Republic of Congo presidency has undue influence over two bodies tasked with overseeing elections, a research group said Thursday, warning the country risked “a new cycle of conflict”. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and Constitutional Court have been subject to “politicisation”, …
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Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said the ruling ANC party had emerged from “a very dark period” under his predecessor Jacob Zuma but would bounce back to win next year’s election. Ramaphosa, who came to office in February after Zuma was ousted …
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Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Egyptian authorities arrested at least 19 lawyers and rights activists on Thursday, Amnesty International said, condemning what it called an “appalling setback”. The rights group called the arrests “an alarming escalation of a crackdown on human rights workers” in Egypt. “Today’s chilling wave of arrests… …
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Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Thursday that an Australian firm would explore for oil and gas in the nation after a study indicated deposits. Invictus Energy has in recent months reworked survey data generated in the early 1990s by US oil giant ExxonMobil, previously known …
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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopia’s parliament on Thursday appointed the country’s first female supreme court chief, the latest post in a trend of elevating women to high offices, a top official said. Meaza Ashenafi’s appointment as president of the highest court followed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s moves last …
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Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday sacked the head of the country’s tax collection agency, an ally of scandal-tainted former leader Jacob Zuma, said the presidency. The president dismissed Tom Moyane after a judiciary inquiry recommended his immediate removal “to forestall any further …
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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has given the World Health Organisation (WHO) a go-ahead to administer an investigational Ebola vaccine in high risk areas neighbouring the DRC, where the outbreak has already claimed 170 lives. Uganda will become the first country in the world to give the vaccine …
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Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Supporters of President Joseph Kabila on Thursday denounced alleged cheating in an opinion poll that placed two opposition leaders well ahead before a presidential election due on December 23. Results of the national poll, released on Tuesday, tipped Felix Tshisekedi, president of the main, …
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Banjul, Gambia | AFP | Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla landed Wednesday in The Gambia for the first leg of a week-long African tour aimed at strengthening ties with Commonwealth nations. The Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, took over as head of the 53-member Commonwealth of …
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Juba, South Sudan | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has told the people of South Sudan that war should never be used again to solve political arguments between brothers and sisters. He said war is wasteful and this was an unnecessary conflict. “Thank you very much for attending …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price