Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudan took further steps in its transition towards civilian rule Wednesday, with the swearing in of a new Sovereign Council and prime minister. A government is expected to be formed within a week, after which the new institutions can tackle the daunting task of rescuing …
Read More »KAGAME: It may take a bit of time to understand each other
Why Uganda and Rwanda leaders have signed pact to end months-long standoff Luanda, Angola | AFP | The presidents of Rwanda and Uganda on Wednesday signed an agreement in Angola to ease months of tensions after the two leaders exchanged accusations of spying, political assassinations and meddling. Rwanda’s President Paul …
Read More »Formation of Sudan’s sovereign council drags on
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudan’s transition towards civilian rule got off to a bumpy start as generals and protest leaders fell two days behind schedule Tuesday in unveiling a joint sovereign council. The body will replace the transitional military council that took over from longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir when …
Read More »A bad year for Xi as Communist China celebrates 70th birthday
Beijing, China | AFP | It was meant to be an unabashed celebration of the triumph of Communism in China, and of President Xi Jinping’s authority as the country’s undisputed leader for years to come. But as the People’s Republic of China approaches its 70th anniversary on October 1st, …
Read More »IN THE INDEPENDENT: The Zigy Wyne death
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The top stories in this week’s THE INDEPENDENT. COVER STORY Zigy Wyne death: ‘Kiwani’ in Kampala streetspeak means “something fake.” Musician Bobi Wine coined the word in 2007 as the title of his song that won that year’s award for best Afro beat single. …
Read More »Trump, 2020 underdog Marianne Williamson, and America’s ‘deeper truths’
Clear Lake, United States | AFP | Bill Clinton felt your pain. Barack Obama assured that yes, we can. And for Marianne Williamson, the spiritualist author leading a notable but surpassingly longshot US presidential bid, love conquers all. Remote as her 2020 prospects may be against two dozen other …
Read More »Staying power: the world’s longest-serving leaders
Paris, France | AFP | Teodoro Obiang Nguema, president of Equatorial Guinea for 40 years on Saturday, is the world’s longest-serving living leader apart from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, on the throne for 67 years. Africa’s longest-serving ruler was also a monarch: Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie reigned for 44 years …
Read More »Boris Johnson and girlfriend Symonds move into Downing Street
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds moved into Downing Street on Monday, becoming the first unmarried couple to occupy the British prime minister’s official residence. The change of guard at the famous address was prompted by Theresa May’s forced resignation under the …
Read More »AU leaders set to sign landmark trade deal at African Summit
Niamey, Niger | AFP | African leaders will meet Sunday in Niger for the African Union (AU) summit, to sign a landmark free trade agreement, and to discuss looming security and migration crises on the continent. In a “historic” moment for the 55-member bloc, according to its chairman Moussa Faki, …
Read More »Trump in spotlight as Twitter adds warnings to rule-breaking tweets
Washington, United States | AFP | Twitter announced Thursday it would add warning labels to tweets from officials and politicians that violate its rules — a move potentially affecting the prodigious output of US President Donald Trump. The new policy will also “deprioritize” inappropriate comments and enables Twitter to move …
Read More »