The U.N. World Food Program says it is investigating the alleged theft of food aid brought into famine-stricken Somalia. The WFP released a statement Monday following an Associated Press report that said thousands of sacks of food meant for famine victims have been stolen. The report said the food sacks, stamped as coming from the […]
WFP Investigating ‘Possible Theft of Food’ in Somalia
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
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Italian Aid Worker Kidnapped in Darfur
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 12:00 pm (UTC-5)
An Italian aid worker has been kidnapped in Sudan’s Darfur region. Italy’s foreign ministry says 34-year-old Francesco Azzara was abducted Sunday while driving to the airport in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. The ministry says it is working with the United Nations mission in Darfur and local authorities to resolve the matter. Azzara […]
Nigerian Police Kill Would-Be Car Bomber
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
Police in northern Nigeria say they have shot and killed a man attempting to drive a car bomb into a local police headquarters. Borno State Police Commissioner Simeon Midenda says the guards killed the man Monday as he tried to force his way into police headquarters in the city of Maiduguri while a recruitment drive […]
South Africa Municipal Workers Strike Over Pay
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
Municipal services have stopped or slowed across South Africa, where union workers have gone on strike calling for higher pay. More than 150,000 workers with the South African Municipal Workers Union went on strike Monday calling for an 18 percent pay increase. The action affects bus routes, trash collection, water distribution and public health clinics, […]
Father of British Footballer Kidnapped in Nigeria
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
The father of British and Nigerian football player Mikel John Obi is missing in his homeland, Nigeria, and there are fears he has been kidnapped. Michael Obi, who runs a transport company, was last seen Friday in the city of Jos in Nigeria’s Plateau State. Representatives for the Chelsea football star say the senior Obi […]
UN Reports Possible War Crimes in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. human rights office is calling for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state. The office said Monday it has received reports of indiscriminate killings, widespread looting, and massive civilian displacement in the state, where forces allied to what were then northern and southern Sudan clashed during June. A […]
China Pledges $55 Million in Famine Aid for Horn of Africa
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
The Chinese government has pledged $55 million in food aid for Horn of Africa nations dealing with severe drought and famine. The official Xinhua news agency said Monday that Premier Wen Jiabao made the offer during talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Beijing. The pledge is in addition to nearly $8 million in […]
Uganda Police Surround Opposition Leader’s Home
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 7:55 am (UTC-5)
Police in Uganda have surrounded the home of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who was arrested several times earlier this year for leading protests against rising prices. Officials with Uganda’s main opposition party say police surrounded Besigye’s Kampala home early Monday and put up roadblocks in the area. There has been no explanation from Ugandan police. […]
Malawi’s President Wants Anti-Government Rallies Cancelled
Posted August 14th, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
Malawi’s president has called on activists to cancel anti-government rallies scheduled for Wednesday. Civil society groups are planning so-called “vigils” to protest what they say is the government’s failure to respond to their concerns. Speaking on state television Sunday, President Bingo wa Mutharika said the events could turn violent. He said organizers should carefully review […]
Somali Gov’t Declares State of Emergency in Former al-Shabab Areas
Posted August 14th, 2011 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
Somalia’s government has declared a state of emergency in parts of the capital formerly controlled by the Islamist insurgent group, al-Shabab. A decree from Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed says clan militias are banned from what he called the “liberated” areas of Mogadishu. The government is trying to exert authority in the former al-Shabab […]
