The U.N. Security Council has extended the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo for another year. In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the council said any force reduction should depend on a decrease of violence in Congo’s volatile east. It also said any change to the nearly 20,000-strong force should […]
Senegal Deploys Extra Troops Amid Electricity Riots
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 4:45 pm (UTC-5)
Senegal has deployed riot police to government buildings and the presidential palace following violent protests over power cuts. VOA’s correspondent in Dakar says there was heavy smoke on the main road in Dakar Tuesday from burning tires and barricades. Overnight Monday to Tuesday, demonstrators ransacked government buildings, including the national electric company’s offices. Residents in […]
US, EU Condemn Violence in Northern Nigeria
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. and European diplomats have jointly condemned a spate of violent attacks in northern Nigeria that have killed 28 people this week. On Monday, three people were killed and at least three injured in an attack in the northeastern city of Maiduguri. A day earlier, a bombing by suspected Islamic militants in the same city […]
Nigerian President Submits Cabinet Nominees
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has submitted a list of 34 cabinet nominees to the Senate for approval. Senate President David Mark read the list, which did not specify portfolios, to the upper house of parliament Tuesday. Some of the proposed ministers include ex-finance minister Olusegun Aganga, a former Goldman Sachs executive. Former oil minister Deziani […]
Zimbabwe Court Dismisses Corruption Charges Against Minister
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
Zimbabwe’s High Court has acquitted the country’s energy minister of corruption charges, saying the state failed to produce evidence against him. Elton Mangoma was accused of bypassing purchasing procedures when he secured a $5 million fuel order from South Africa. Harare High Court Judge Chinembiri Bhunu dismissed the charges Tuesday, saying state witnesses had confirmed […]
Somali Parliament Approves New Prime Minister
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
Somali lawmakers have approved Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a Somali-American economist, as the country’s new prime minister. Parliamentary Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden says lawmakers approved Ali on Tuesday by a vote of 437 to four, with two abstentions. Ali, who was immediately sworn in after the approval, said he will focus on fighting terrorism and […]
Nigerian President Submits Cabinet Nominees
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has submitted a list of 34 cabinet nominees to the Senate for approval. Senate President David Mark read the list, which did not specify portfolios, to the upper house of parliament Tuesday. Some of the proposed ministers include ex-finance minister Olusegun Aganga, a former Goldman Sachs executive. Former oil minister Deziani […]
South Africa Denies Approving Billion Dollar Loan for Swaziland
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
South Africa has denied a report that it approved a $1.2 billion loan for its neighbor, cash-strapped Swaziland. The South African Finance Ministry, in a statement Tuesday, confirmed that Swaziland has requested a loan, but said “no loan has been agreed to or granted.” The ministry said the two countries are holding “technical discussions” about […]
Worst Drought in 60-Years Hits Horn of Africa
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations says at least nine million people in the Horn of Africa have been hit by the worst drought in six decades. Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says the drought is one of the worst to strike East Africa since the 1950s and people are […]
Sudanese President Arrives 1 Day late for China Visit
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 12:05 am (UTC-5)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has arrived in Beijing a day late for a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Television coverage showed the African leader disembarking from his airplane and being greeted by officials in the Chinese capital Tuesday morning. A Monday evening meeting with Mr. Hu was canceled after Mr. Bashir failed to arrive […]
