AFRICA

Victoria, Seychelles | AFP | The Seychelles government ordered schools to close Friday, after the discovery of two suspected cases of plague thought to have been brought from Madagascar where the disease has killed scores. The health ministry has also put under surveillance 320 people who have come into contact …

Luanda, Angola | AFP | Nearly a fourth of the estimated 30,000 refugees sheltered in Angola’s northeast have returned to their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s restive Kasai region, an Angolan official said Friday. “Of the 31,240 refugees from DRC hosted by the Angolan government in the Lunda …

Monrovia, Liberia | AFP |  More partial figures released by Liberia’s electoral commission Friday showed former footballer George Weah ahead of incumbent Vice-President Joseph Boakai as they battle for the presidency. With 33.71 percent of polling stations counted, Weah has taken the lead with 39.7 percent (205,218 votes), while Boakai …

Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP |  Somalia’s defence minister and army chief have both resigned, without explaining why, in a potential blow to the government’s fight against Shabaab Islamist militants. The resignations come as Somali security forces struggle to contain attacks by the al-Qaeda-linked group. Defence Minister Abdirashid Abdullahi confirmed his …

S.Africa court clears way for Zuma graft prosecution Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that President Jacob Zuma can face prosecution on almost 800 charges of corruption relating to a 1990s arms deal. Zuma had lodged a challenge at the court …

Nairobi, Kenya | PSCU |  Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law the Supplementary budget that allocates  ($116 million) for the October 26 fresh presidential poll and Kshs 25 billion ($242 million) for free secondary education that kicks off in January next year.  The Supplementary Appropriation (No. 3) Act, 2017, also allocates Kshs 6.7 billion …

Kano, Nigeria | AFP | Five people were killed in a suicide bomb attack when Boko Haram raided a remote village in northeast Nigeria, a civilian militia member and the emergency services said Thursday. Ibrahim Liman, from the Civilian Joint Taskforce (CJTF), said the attack happened at Belbelu village, near …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | A South African court will rule Friday on a bid by President Jacob Zuma to fend off the reinstatement of almost 800 corruption charges related to a 1990s arms deal. Zuma lodged a challenge at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein after a lower …

Midrand, South Africa | THE INDEPENDENT | African Legislators are concerned that given the slow pace of ratification of the Malabo Protocol, the Pan African Parliament might never acquire full legislative authority and only remain as an advisory organ. With only five ratifications since its adoption in 2014,out of 28 …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s opposition vowed to pursue a campaign of protest for electoral reform, defying a ban on rallies in main city centres announced by government Thursday. The ban came after the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) called for daily protests next week. The country remains gripped …