Malabo, Equatorial Guinea | AFP | Africa’s longest-serving ruler, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, looks set to win a fresh seven-year term Sunday that could also see him nail the all-time record for African leaders, living or dead. After almost 37 years at the helm of the tiny oil-rich …
Read More »South Sudan’s peace deal hangs by a thread
Juba, South Sudan | AFP | In a country awash with guns, a faltering peace deal aimed at ending over two years of intense civil war in South Sudan came down to a dispute over just two dozen weapons. The issue, while apparently minor, reflects the huge mistrust between the …
Read More »Kenya approves new anti-doping law ahead of WADA deadline
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya on Friday approved a new anti-doping law which the east African track giant hopes will lift the threat of their exclusion from the Rio Olympics. President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the legislation well ahead of a May 2 deadline imposed by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). …
Read More »Obiang leads Eq. Guinea from terror to oil
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea | AFP | Equatorial Guinea’s tough President Teodoro Obiang Nguema seized power almost 37 years ago from a feared and ruthless uncle and has steered the tiny but now oil-rich nation with an iron glove. Already Africa’s longest-serving leader, the 73-year-old looks set to win a fresh …
Read More »South Sudan wrestles as they wait for Machar
Juba, South Sudan | AFP | The giants dance barefoot in circles, strips of leopard print skirt flapping, before one lunges in to topple his opponent and thump him down on the grass. There is a wild roar of support from hundreds of supporters crammed into the national football stadium …
Read More »Ethiopia troops cross into S.Sudan in hunt for abducted children
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopian troops have crossed into South Sudan in search of children abducted by armed men from across the border last week, a government spokesman said Wednesday. “The army has been conducting reconnaissance missions in South Sudan and they have a clear idea of where …
Read More »UPDF rated 16th in Africa, 92nd in the world
The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) continues to be rated among the top militaries in Africa and the world. The latest rankings by Global Fire Power (GFP) put the UPDF at 16th in Africa and 92nd in the world. The online rating company Global Fire Power has 126 top countries …
Read More »“Riek Machar is going to come. But when?”
Juba, South Sudan | AFP and agencies | For the second day in a row South Sudan’s rebels have failed to organise their leader’s much-anticipated return to the capital, Juba, after more than two years of war. The government has blamed Riek Machar (see statements below), accusing him of wanting …
Read More »South Sudan botches rebel chief Machar’s return
Juba, South Sudan | AFP | Rebel leader Riek Machar’s long-awaited return to the capital of South Sudan was delayed on Monday, his spokesman said, citing “logistical reasons”. “We are committed to the peace agreement, but there have been logistical issues and the first vice president, Riek Machar, will come …
Read More »South Sudan readies, but will rebel chief Machar return?
Juba, South Sudan | AFP | South Sudan’s rebel chief Riek Machar is expected to return to the capital Monday for the first time since war began, his spokesman said, a key step in salvaging a floundering peace agreement. Machar’s return as part of the August 2015 peace deal is …
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