Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe on Monday announced the retirement of army chief Constantino Chiwenga, who led a coup that ended Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule, in a move seen as paving way for his elevation to vice-presidency. “General Constantino Guvheya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga is set to retire, pending redeployment,” said …
Read More »COMMENT: Burundi peace talks
Why it would be a miracle if the recent round of talks yielded the inclusive, sustainable peace the country needs COMMENT | CARINE N. KANEZA | Burundi has been gripped by unrest since April 2015; triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s pursuit of a third term. The crisis has led to protests, …
Read More »Ramaphosa: Trade unionist, tycoon and now president-in-waiting
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Cyril Ramaphosa’s long and eventful career has taken him from trade union activist to multi-millionaire and now to within touching distance of the South African presidency. After South Africa dismantled apartheid, Ramaphosa saw his hopes for the country’s top job dashed. True to his pragmatic …
Read More »Palestinians slam ‘unacceptable’ US veto of Jerusalem UN resolution
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories | AFP | The Palestinian government slammed as “unacceptable” Monday a US veto of a draft UN resolution against President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said the veto was “unacceptable and threatens the stability of the international …
Read More »Big challenges face Ramaphosa, new head of ANC
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | The new leader of the South Africa’s ANC party, Cyril Ramaphosa, will likely be the next president of the country. He faces an immediate list of urgent issues as the party that has held power since the end of apartheid rule 23 years ago struggles …
Read More »UN to vote Monday on measure rejecting US Jerusalem decision
United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council will vote Monday on a draft resolution that would reject US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, diplomats said. Egypt requested the vote Sunday, a day after it presented the measure that is likely …
Read More »Farah shock winner of BBC award
Paris, France | AFP | Britain’s four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah was named BBC sports personality of the year for the first time on Sunday, edging out motorcycling champion Jonathan Rea to the award. Farah, 34, successfully defended his 10,000-metre title at the World Championships in August, although he missed …
Read More »Billionaire Pinera to return as Chile’s president
Santiago, Chile | AFP | Billionaire Sebastian Pinera will return to power as Chile’s president next year, according to virtually complete results from a runoff election held Sunday. Electoral authorities said the 68-year-old conservative, who previously led the South American nation from 2010-2014, had 55 percent of the vote, with 98 …
Read More »Mourinho won’t give up on catching City
West Bromwich, United Kingdom | AFP | Jose Mourinho insisted Manchester United will not give up on the Premier League title race after his side cut Manchester City’s lead back to 11 points. Mourinho’s side won 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard …
Read More »US provides ARVS worth $18.7 million to Uganda
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The United States has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to improving the health of Ugandans by providing $18.7 million worth of life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to fill gaps in the country’s public sector facilities and provide broader support to her supply chain systems. At a ceremony …
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