Tanzanian police arrested the leader of the largest opposition party Saturday on charges stemming from his role in a political demonstration earlier this year. Freeman Mbowe, a legislator and chairman of the opposition group, Chadema, remains in custody pending his arraignment Monday. Mbowe and several others are accused of multiple charges including holding an illegal […]
UN Investigates Peacekeepers in Sudan
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 10:05 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations says it is investigating reports that U.N. peacekeepers in Sudan stayed in their barracks during recent fighting between forces from the north and south. A spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping department says the agency has sent its top military advisor to Sudan’s disputed Abyei region to assess the performance of U.N. troops […]
AU: Strategic Districts Re-Captured in Mogadishu
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
The African Union says it is making progress against militants for control of Somalia’s capital. Officials said Saturday African Union and pro-government troops had recaptured strategic districts in Mogadishu from al-Shabab insurgents. Al-Shabab is trying to overthrow the United Nations-backed government and set up a strict Islamic state. The al-Qaida-linked group has controlled much of […]
UN Official Says Humanitarian Crisis Continues in DRC
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
A top United Nations humanitarian official says the international organization needs to “scale up” humanitarian aid, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just weeks after the central African nation asked peacekeepers to leave. In a speech Saturday in the capital, Kinshasa, Catherine Bragg said some 600,000 Congolese are returning home after fleeing violence. But […]
Amnesty International Challenge Rwandan Free Speech and Genocide Laws
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 1:10 am (UTC-5)
Amnesty International is calling on Rwanda to ease restrictions on free speech. The rights group says the months leading up to last year’s presidential election were marked by a clampdown on freedom of expression. Amnesty is calling on Rwanda to allow opposition politicians, journalists and human rights activists to express their views without fear for […]
Burkina Faso Troops Sent to Quell Unrest by Soldiers
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 4:50 pm (UTC-5)
Burkina Faso’s military says it has put down a mutiny in the country’s commercial capital, where unruly troops spent several days looting and shooting into the air. Witnesses in the southwestern city of Bobo Dioulasso say troops arrived in the city Friday morning. They say the town’s siren sounded early in the day signaling residents […]
Michelle Obama to Travel to Africa
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:05 pm (UTC-5)
The White House has announced that first lady Michelle Obama will travel to South Africa and Botswana for an official visit later this month. The wife of U.S. President Barack Obama will travel to Africa on June 21 for a five-day visit focusing on youth leadership, education, health and wellness. Mrs. Obama will visit Johannesburg […]
South Africa Mourns Anti-Apartheid Icon ‘Ma’ Sisulu
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
South Africa is grieving the loss of a woman many consider to be the mother of the modern country. Albertina Sisulu, known as Ma Sisulu, died late Thursday at her home in Johannesburg. She was 92. Following the announcement, the Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement saying,”South Africa has lost a treasure.” Sisulu was born […]
Burkina Faso Troops Sent to Quell Unrest by Soldiers
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
Witnesses in Burkina Faso’s second largest city say troops have been sent into Bobo Dioulasso to end days of shooting and looting by soldiers in the commercial capital. Residents report hearing heavy fighting after the military troops arrival on Friday morning. Witnesses say forces surrounded the Ouezzin Coulibaly military camp where hundreds of soldiers staging […]
US Lists 2 Kenyans as Drug Kingpins
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 1:35 am (UTC-5)
The United States has added two Kenyans, including a member of parliament, to its list of drug kingpins who face sanctions. Being added to the list means parliamentarian Tharun Mwau and businesswoman Naima Nyakinywa are now denied access to U.S. financial institutions and barred from transactions with U.S. businesses and individuals. A recent report by […]
