AFRICA

COMMENT: Providing security and fighting al-Shabaab isn’t enough – AMISOM can do much more in Somalia By Meressa K Dessu and Omar S Mahmood Addis, Ethiopia| ISSAFRICA|  The mandate of the African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) officially expires today, 31 May. Although the AU Peace and Security Council …

Mombasa, Kenya | AFP |  Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday inaugurated a Chinese-built railway, the country’s biggest infrastructure project since independence that is aimed at cementing its role as the gateway to East Africa. The boxy red-and-white diesel train left from a gleaming new terminal in the port city …

Move would force citizens, companies, and policymakers to bring all Africans into the financial sector By Carl Manlan India has lately been pursuing an ambitious goal: a cashless economy. Despite early missteps and frustrations, it will turn out to be a change for the better for the country’s 1.31 billion …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP |  Nigeria’s first lady left for London on Tuesday to join President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been in the British capital receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. Aisha Buhari’s office released a brief statement saying she was going to Britain to “spend some time” with her …

Juba, South Sudan | AFP |  A South Sudan military court on Tuesday opened the trial of 13 soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers and murdering a local journalist during fighting in Juba last July. The chilling attack cast a spotlight on atrocities by government troops but also led …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | More than a century after a colonial railway gave birth to modern Kenya, the country is betting on a new Chinese-built route to cement its position as the gateway to East Africa. The $3.2 billion (2.8 billion euro) railway linking Nairobi with the port city …

Onitsha, Nigeria | AFP | Shops, schools and businesses were shut in southeast Nigeria on Tuesday, 50 years to the day since an independent republic of Biafra was declared, sparking a brutal civil war. In Onitsha, the economic hub of Anambra state on the banks of the River Niger, most …

Eight candidates in the running for Kenya presidency Nairobi, Kenya | AFP |  Kenya’s electoral commission on Monday approved eight candidates to take part in the presidential election in August, including incumbent leader Uhuru Kenyatta and his historic rival Raila Odinga. The vetting process left several candidates disappointed, including one …

Mahagi, DRC | MoFA UG |  Uganda and neighbors DRC are meeting to resolve trans-boundary conflicts affecting the Albertine region. Focus of the 3-day meeting that started on Monday will be on how citizens in the border region can best use the resources that Lake Albert and Edward provide. The meeting will also focus …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP |  More than 8,000 people on Saturday took part in a “Burundi Peace Run” through the capital Bujumbura, organisers said, in a bid to show the country has overcome more than two years of political crisis. A heavy military and police contingent was on hand for …