A joint U.N.-African Union mission is going to Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state Thursday in an effort to bring a halt to heavy fighting there. VOA correspondent Peter Heinlein reports the mission was announced Wednesday in Addis Ababa, where north and south Sudanese officials are in talks aimed at easing tensions ahead of south Sudan’s independence […]
Former Mandela Charity Chief Cleared in Blood Diamond Case
Posted June 15th, 2011 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
The former head of Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund in South Africa has been cleared of charges that he illegally possessed rough diamonds. A Johannesburg magistrate dismissed charges against Jeremy Ractliffe on Wednesday after hearing several hours of testimony. Possessing uncut diamonds without a permit is a crime in South Africa because of possible links to […]
UN Congo Mission to Lose Indian Helicopters
Posted June 15th, 2011 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
India is getting set to withdraw its Mi-35 attack helicopters from the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The expected departure of the four aircraft early next month has sparked fears the U.N. mission will be less well 1equipped to safeguard civilians, especially in remote and volatile areas of eastern Congo. Indian […]
Kenyan Anti-Corruption Head Calls for Minister’s Resignation
Posted June 15th, 2011 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
Kenya’s anti-corruption chief is urging the country’s education minister and his deputy to step down because of the loss of millions of dollars in their ministry. Patrick Lumumba, head of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, called for the resignation of Education Minister Sam Ongeri and his permanent secretary James Kiyiapi late Tuesday. Lumumba said the officials […]
Zuma Judge Appointment Challenged in Court
Posted June 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
Two South African legal groups are challenging a decision by President Jacob Zuma to extend the term of the country’s top judge. The groups say Mr. Zuma may have overstepped his constitutional powers with the decision earlier this month. They said Wednesday that they will seek a hearing in Pretoria’s High Court. President Zuma announced […]
Deal on Sudan’s Abyei Region Coming Apart
Posted June 15th, 2011 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
A reported deal to ease tensions in Sudan’s disputed Abyei region appears to be unraveling, as negotiations drag into a fourth day. VOA correspondent Peter Heinlein is at the scene of the talks in Addis Ababa. He says that according a source involved in the talks, points which were previously settled have come unsettled, and […]
US President Calls on Sudan To Stop ‘Campaign of Intimidation’
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 9:20 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama is calling on Sudan’s government to stop its “campaign of intimidation” in the country’s southern border area or face international isolation. In an audio statement, Mr. Obama said Sudan’s government must immediately cease its military actions in southern Sudan including aerial bombardments and the forced displacement of civilians. Mr. Obama took […]
US President Calls on Sudan To Stop ‘Campaign of Intimidation’
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 8:50 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama is calling on Sudan’s government to stop its “campaign of intimidation” in the country’s southern border area or face international isolation. In an audio statement given to VOA, Mr. Obama said Tuesday that Sudan’s government must immediately cease its military actions in southern Sudan including aerial bombardments and the forced displacement […]
US President Calls on Sudan To Stop ‘Campaign of Intimidation’
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 8:35 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama is calling on Sudan’s government to stop its “campaign of intimidation” in the country’s southern border area or face international isolation. Mr. Obama told VOA Tuesday that Sudan’s government must immediately cease its military actions in southern Sudan including aerial bombardments and the forced displacement of civilians. He said if Sudanese […]
UN Says Bombing Continues in Sudan Border State
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 5:50 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations says north Sudan has launched new air strikes on the border it shares with south Sudan and says the continued strikes are causing “huge suffering” to the civilian population. A U.N. spokesman says jet fighters dropped 11 bombs Tuesday morning in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state. He said the bombs targeted an airfield […]
