NAIROBI – Kenya’s interior minister has said security officers ignored intelligence reports prior to the attack on Garissa University College earlier this month. Joseph Nkarissery, who is in charge of security, also admitted that the response was poorly co-ordinated. Militants from the Somali-based Islamist al-Shabab group killed 148 people during the day-long siege at the…
BEIJING – China issued a travel warning this week to Chinese citizens planning to visit South Africa amid the ongoing deadly xenophobic attacks on foreigners in the country, which have killed at least seven people in the past few weeks. The Chinese government also urged its nationals living in South Africa who need help to…
CAIRO – An Egyptian court has sentenced former President Mohammed Morsi to 20 years in jail for ordering the arrest and torture of protesters during his rule. It is the first verdict he has received since his ousting and is one of several trials he faces. Morsi was deposed by the army in July 2013…
JOHANNESBURG – Zulu monarch Goodwill Zwelithini (pictured) told thousands at the Moses Mabhida Stadium that he did not call an imbizo to take responsibility for the recent xenophobic attacks. “I haven’t called this imbizo to say we are responsible‚ but because of your numbers you can stop this carnage. We believe that there’s a third…
JOHANNESBURG – Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille announced that she would be stepping down from the position at the party’s upcoming conference. “I won’t be available for re-election,” Zille told reporters. The DA is due to hold its elective federal conference in May. Zille became party leader in May 2007 and has in recent years…
DURBAN – South African police have arrested 17 people and opened murder cases after attacks on foreign nationals in Durban. The violence comes in the wake of alleged comments by the Zulu king telling migrants to go home – although the he says he was mistranslated. But Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has called on…
LAGOS – The winner of Nigeria’s presidential poll, Muhammadu Buhari, has hailed his victory as a vote for change and proof the nation has embraced democracy. Mr Buhari also praised outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan as a “worthy opponent” who peacefully relinquished power. Gen Buhari beat Mr Jonathan by 15.4 million votes to 13.3 million. Observers…
TUNIS – Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Tunis for an anti-terror march. Chanting “Tunisia is free! Terrorism out!” they marched to the Bardo Museum, the scene of an attack in which 21 tourists and a Tunisian died. French President Francois Hollande and other world leaders attended a ceremony at the museum….
LAGOS – Nigerians are going to the polls to elect a president, with incumbent Goodluck Jonathan facing a strong challenge from Muhammadu Buhari. It is said to be the most closely fought election since independence. The election was delayed by six weeks to allow the army to recapture territory from militant Islamist group Boko Haram….
LUANDA – A renowned Angolan journalist has been put on trial on charges of defaming military generals after he accused them of links to the “blood diamond” trade. Rafael Marques de Morais accused seven generals of being linked to murder, torture and land grabs in Angola’s lucrative diamond fields. Several people were reportedly arrested for…
