Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon’s constitutional court is to rule as early as Friday who will be the country’s next president, ending weeks of uncertainty after disputed polls sparked a political crisis and violent protests. Incumbent President Ali Bongo, the son of late autocratic ruler Omar Bongo, was declared …
Read More »UN warns DRC, ‘The writing is on the wall’
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The UN rights chief on Thursday said DR Congo had used “excessive force” during deadly clashes with demonstrators in the capital and called on Kinshasa to reach out to the opposition to avert a “large-scale crisis” “The authorities need to pull back from …
Read More »Seven killed in eastern Congo by Ugandan rebels
Goma, DR Congo | AFP | Seven people were killed overnight in an attack in eastern DR Congo blamed on Ugandan rebel group the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the army said Thursday. “The ADF killed seven people and burned down houses” in Kasinga in the Beni region, army spokesman Mak …
Read More »Boat with up to 450 migrants capsizes off Egypt, 42 drowned
Rosetta, Egypt | AFP | A boat carrying up to 450 migrants capsized in the Mediterranean off Egypt’s north coast on Wednesday, drowning 42 people and prompting a search operation that rescued 163 passengers, officials said. The vessel overturned off the port city of Rosetta, police and health officials said. …
Read More »MUSEVENI: End ideological disorientation, boost integration
End ideological disorientation, boost market integration – Museveni President Yoweri Museveni has told the UN General Assembly that the world is a better place with spread of affluence around the world, citing developments in China and India. He said the old affluent societies and the new ones are today both benefiting. …
Read More »DRC opposition say over 100 killed in two-day violence
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Two days of violence in Kinshasa left over 100 people dead, the Democratic Republic of Congo opposition said Wednesday, their figure more than tripling the police toll. Police in DR Congo said earlier that 32 people had been killed during the clashes in the …
Read More »Nigeria says regional troops, Boko Haram clash near Lake Chad
Kano, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s military on Wednesday said regional troops had recaptured a town on the shores of Lake Chad from Boko Haram, but the Islamists claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties. Army spokesman Sani Usman said its troops and counterparts from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) …
Read More »First oil in two years leaves Libya’s Ras Lanouf port for Italy
Benghazi, Libya | AFP | An oil tanker left the Libyan port of Ras Lanouf for Italy on Tuesday, an official said, the first shipment since fighting erupted over control of the “oil crescent” two years ago. Oil is war-ravaged Libya’s key asset, and rival administrations have been vying for …
Read More »US flower grower quits Ethiopia after arson attack
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | A US-based company has pulled out of Ethiopia after anti-government protesters attacked its flower farm causing 10 million euros in damage, and triggering job losses in the country and The Netherlands, a spokesman said Tuesday. Flower growers and exporters Esmeralda Farms began operations in …
Read More »Gabon rivals reach tenuous deal on poll recount
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Lawyers for President Ali Bongo and opposition leader Jean Ping told AFP on Tuesday said they have agreed to a poll recount for August’s contested presidential vote, though the methodology remains in dispute. “The parties have reached agreement on a vote recount,” said Ping’s lawyer …
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