BANJUL – Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has said he will not step down before a Supreme Court decision on disputed elections, a ruling now not expected until May. In a nationwide TV broadcast, the longstanding ruler also reiterated his concern at “foreign interference”. Regional mediators, led by Nigeria’s president, are expected in The Gambia on…
KAMPALA – Uganda’s leader Yoweri Museveni has promoted his eldest son to become a special presidential adviser in a reshuffle of army commanders. Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has risen rapidly within the military, fuelling speculation that he is being groomed to become president one day. Analysts say his new role, working more closely with state house,…
BANGUL – President Yahya Jammeh says the West African community’s decision to send troops into The Gambia to force him to accept defeat in last month’s presidential election, is “a declaration of war”. Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, deployed troops to The Gambia on Thursday after Jammeh said he…
KINSHASA – Joseph Kabila will step down as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo after elections held before the end of 2017, under a draft agreement reached by political parties, according to a lead mediator from the Catholic Church. Under the deal, reached on Friday but not yet signed, Kabila will be unable to…
LONDON – At least 50 people have died and thousands have been left homeless after severe flooding in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Torrential rain caused the Kalamu river, which flows through the city of Boma, to burst its banks on Tuesday. The bodies of some of the victims had ended up…
KINSHASA – Hopes of a deal to end DR Congo’s dangerous political crisis before Christmas were fast dissipating on Saturday after fruitless all-night talks over President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to quit power. Kabila’s second and final five-year term ended on December 20, but he has shown no intention of leaving office soon, sparking violent protests…
KINSHASA – Gunfire erupted in several parts of Kinshasa early on Tuesday as Democratic Republic of Congo’s long-serving President Joseph Kabila appeared set to stay on despite the expiry of his mandate and announced a new government. Shots rang out in several parts of the sprawling city of 10 million, especially in two northern quarters…
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma was forced to run for cover after a tent in which he was giving a speech collapsed. Strong winds and rain tore through the marquee, where Mr Zuma was addressing a crowd for Reconciliation Day. A video posted on social media by local reporters showed people scrambling for…
MAPUTO – Former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza’s daughter Valentina Guebuza has reportedly been short dead by her husband, Zófimo Muiuane, in Maputo. Reports on Thursday said the incident took place on Wednesday. According to Club of Mozambique, police confirmed the shooting, adding that she died on her way to the hospital. Muiuane had since been…
JOHANNESBURG – Julius Malema’s “murderer” comment which he directed at Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in the National Assembly has not only been judged as unparliamentary by the Western Cape High Court, but also deemed “a very serious allegation which cannot be categorised as free political speech protected by the constitution”. Judge Robert Henney delivered the…
