AFRICA

Juba, South Sudan | AFP | South Sudan government forces said Monday they had seized the rebel stronghold of Pagak near the Ethiopian border, after weeks of heavy fighting that forced thousands to flee the region. Military spokesman Dickson Gatluak said rebel forces loyal to exiled former deputy president Riek Machar …

Washington, United States | AFP |  Former US president Barack Obama called Monday on Kenyans to hold a peaceful and untainted election, speaking out on the eve of a crucial vote in the East African country where his father was born. “I urge Kenyan leaders to reject violence and incitement; …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & AFP | Kenya president Uhuru Kenyatta has addressed the nation, promising better days lie ahead whatever the result of the election on Tuesday. “Better days lie ahead. Yes, we have more work to do. But as Kenyans, as architects of the future, we can …

The headlines after 8 August will be about Kenyatta vs. Odinga. But the real contest for Kenya’s future is being waged at a more intimate and local level. Nairobi, Kenya | AFRICAN ARGUMENTS |  There is an epic battle afoot over the future of Kenya, but it’s not happening where you might …

Benghazi, Libya | AFP | When a cash crisis struck the war-torn North African country of Libya, many people were forced to queue for days to withdraw their savings. But electronic payments systems set up to tackle the dearth of cash have struggled to gain credibility amid accusations of abuse. Said …

Cape Town, South Africa | AFP |  South Africa will learn Monday if a parliamentary vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma will be by secret ballot, a move that could encourage ANC lawmakers to oust him. Tuesday’s vote has become a test of African National Congress (ANC) unity …

Maputo, Mozambique | AFP | Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and the nation’s opposition chief Afonso Dhlakama met Sunday for the first since 2015, a step toward peace after years of instability. The men spoke in the remote Gorongosa mountains, where Dhlakama retreated in October 2015 with 800 former fighters demanding a …

 ANALYSIS: What will decide the Kenyan election? | A dose of faith, tribe and hard cash Nairobi, Kenya | JOSEPH WANDERA | After accepting his nomination as the presidential candidate of the main opposition coalition; the National Super Alliance (NASA), Raila Odinga likened himself to Joshua, the biblical figure who led the Jews to the …

Why Kagame won 99%  | How Rwandans reacted to the west’s war against the symbol of their nation’s success Kigali, Rwanda | ANALYSIS | ANDREW M. MWENDA  |  Last week, Paul Kagame won presidential elections in Rwanda by 98.6%. Historically, such margins have only been won in countries like Saddam …

Warri, Nigeria | AFP |  Twelve worshippers were shot dead at a church in southeast Nigeria on Sunday, with authorities suggesting the bloodshed was due to a local feud. At around 6:00 am (0500 GMT), five gunmen opened fire at St. Philip’s church in Ozubulu, near the city of Onitsha, …