AFRICA

South Sudan rivals agree to form unity government by deadline Juba, South Sudan | AFP | South Sudan’s president and its armed opposition leader agreed Tuesday to form a power-sharing government by a February deadline, as they face international censure over faltering peace talks. President Salva Kiir and his former …

Washington, United States | AFP | The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on two sitting ministers in South Sudan, accusing them of obstructing the young country’s peace efforts despite promises to form a unity government. The order against Defense Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk and Martin Elia Lomuro, minister of cabinet …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | The wife of Zimbabwe’s vice president was remanded in custody on Monday after appearing in court to face charges of fraud, money-laundering and attempted murder of her husband. Marry Mubaiwa, 38, who is the wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, was arrested by Zimbabwe’s anti-graft commission …

Epworth, Zimbabwe | AFP | It’s a meagre sum, just $9 per month, but for many families in poverty-stricken Zimbabwe, it is their last shred of hope. The innovative scheme by the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), UKAID and Denmark’s DanChurchAid (DCA) is helping thousands of urban households that each day …

Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambian President Edgar Lungu wants the US to recall its ambassador to Lusaka for criticising the southern African nation over a 15-year jail term slapped on two gay men for consensual sex. Daniel Foote came under fire in Zambia after he expressed horror over the high …

Lagos, Nigeria | AFP |  Fake eyelashes fluttered, bespoke suits were on display and slick music videos played at the inaugural edition of The Entertainment Fair and Festival in Nigeria’s economic hub Lagos in late November. But behind the glitter, the reality of the film and music sectors in Africa’s most …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  As if choreographed by a puppet master, stores along the aisle of a Johannesburg mall hurriedly shut their doors one by one as soon as power outages strike slap-bang in the middle of the day. “We have to close the store immediately because people can …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | From soldier to Islamist, populist and war crimes suspect, Sudan’s deposed leader Omar al-Bashir showed many different faces during his three decades of iron-fisted rule. The 75-year-old, who was one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, has been held in prison since his ouster in April on corruption …

Adelaide, South Africa | AFP |  South African farmer Steve Bothma heaved a sigh of relief when the weatherman finally predicted rain. His excitement was short-lived. Just a few days later, the forecast changed. It was back to cloudless sunshine. In South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, no one can remember the …

Algiers, Algeria | AFP |  A former ally of Algeria’s deposed leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected president of the protest-wracked country in a widely boycotted vote, sparking another outpouring of anger on the streets Friday. Huge crowds massed once again in Algiers vowing to keep up their campaign for the total …