Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi looked set to adopt constitutional reforms that could allow President Pierre Nkurunziza to remain in power until 2034, with official results on Friday showing a “yes” vote winning in 14 of 18 provinces. The official results, published by a coalition of 15 public and …
Read More »Zambian activist arrested after fleeing over song
Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambian authorities on Wednesday arrested singer and activist Chama Fumba at Lusaka airport in a move condemned by Amnesty as a “shocking demonstration” of the government’s intolerance of criticism. Fumba, popularly known as Pilato, was picked up by plain-clothed police officers as he arrived home …
Read More »From prison to power: leaders who served time
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | AFP | Anwar Ibrahim’s release from a Malaysian jail on Wednesday paves the way for him to become prime minister, a path from prison to power that has been trodden by some of the most famous leaders of the last century. Anwar was originally jailed 20 …
Read More »S.Africa’s ousted Zuma poses problems for new president
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Three months ago, Jacob Zuma was ousted as president of South Africa, in a humiliating end to his nine-year rule. But he and his supporters seem determined to not go quietly. Zuma reluctantly resigned from office after the ruling ANC party turned against him …
Read More »Nkurunziza: Burundi’s ‘messianic’ leader
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza is an evangelical who believes he was chosen by God to rule the east African nation, and plans to do so for as long as possible. The 54-year-old former rebel is seeking to extend his rule with a raft of constitutional …
Read More »Burundi to hold referendum to extend Nkurunziza rule
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundians on Thursday will vote in a referendum on sweeping constitutional reforms that would shore up the power of President Pierre Nkurunziza and enable him to rule until 2034. With opponents cowed, beaten, killed or living in exile, there seems little doubt the amendments will …
Read More »US first lady Melania Trump hospitalized with ‘benign’ kidney condition
Washington, United States | AFP | US First Lady Melania Trump had surgery Monday for what aides called a “benign” kidney condition, and will remain in hospital for the rest of the week. The Slovenia-born wife of Donald Trump underwent an embolization procedure, said her communications director Stephanie Grisham. “The …
Read More »Sudan’s Bashir names new oil, foreign ministers in major reshuffle
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday appointed new oil and foreign ministers in a major cabinet reshuffle that saw four other ministers changed amid a worsening economic crisis, state media reported. The reshuffle comes weeks after Bashir sacked his previous foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour following …
Read More »S.Africa recalls Israel ambassador over Gaza deaths
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel on Monday after at least 52 Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces during protests over the US embassy opening in Jerusalem. “Given the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack, the South African …
Read More »Mao reveals what is killing DP
But will big youth wing revival meeting save it? Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Uganda’s oldest party, the Democratic Party is organising a revival meeting for its youth wing, the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) on May 23 in Kampala. Tadeo Kawuki, UYD Deputy Head of Publicity says they are …
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