Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambian police on Thursday released the leader of a small opposition party who is a fierce critic of President Edgar Lungu after one week in detention, party officials said. Savior Chishimba, leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), was detained by plain-clothed police, triggering further accusations …
Read More »Zimbabwe plans $1 billion ‘Mugabe University’
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Cash-strapped Zimbabwe announced Wednesday that it plans to build a $1 billion university to honour Robert Mugabe, the 93-year-old president accused of brutal repression and bringing the country to economic ruin. The university joins other facilities named after Mugabe including the government’s school of intelligence, …
Read More »Iran’s Rouhani names female VPs as reformists slam all-male ministers
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appointed two female vice presidents on Wednesday but continued to take flak from reformists for nominating no women ministers. The appointments came a day after the moderate president announced his all-male list of ministers to parliament, seen as a betrayal by reformists …
Read More »China warns against stoking Korea tensions after Trump ‘fury’
Beijing, China | AFP | China responded to US President Donald Trump’s apocalyptic “fire and fury” threat against North Korea by pointedly warning on Wednesday against any rhetoric that could inflame tensions over Pyongyang’s weapons programmes. Calling the situation on the Korean Peninsula “complicated and sensitive”, China’s foreign ministry issued a …
Read More »S.Africa’s Zuma counts cost after surviving vote
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African opposition leaders piled pressure on President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday after a parliamentary vote of no confidence exposed deep rifts in his ANC party as it readies for a leadership battle. Zuma survived the attempt to oust him, but he was weakened after …
Read More »Ex-Trump campaign chief Manafort’s home raided in Russia probe
Washington, United States | AFP | FBI agents seized documents in a raid on a home of former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort last month as the explosive probe into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election gains pace. A Manafort spokesman confirmed the raid, which the Washington Post described as …
Read More »South Africa’s Zuma: key dates
Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | Below are key dates in the presidency of Jacob Zuma, in power in South Africa since 2009, and who faces a no-confidence vote by secret ballot in parliament Tuesday. – 2009: First Zulu president – On May 6, 2009, Zuma, the head of the …
Read More »S. Africa opposition lash Zuma ahead of vote to oust him
Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s opposition derided President Jacob Zuma as a “broken and corrupt” leader Tuesday as lawmakers prepared to vote in a secret ballot that could oust him from office after years of scandals. (see live video bottom) Zuma faces a no-confidence vote in …
Read More »KENYA: Too close to call!
#ElectionsKE: Kenyans to vote in tight, tense elections Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenyans vote Tuesday in general elections headlined by a too-close-to-call battle between incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and his rival Raila Odinga, sparking fears of violence in east Africa’s richest economy. Tensions soared in the last days of the …
Read More »Nigerian protesters demand sick president return or quit
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian protesters demanded Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari, receiving treatment in London for an undisclosed ailment for more than three months, either return or resign. Buhari left for the British capital on May 7 on what is his latest medical trip, appointing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo …
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