Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | An inquiry probing the killing of six people after soldiers opened fire on post-election protesters in Zimbabwe will summon police and the army to appear before it, an official said Friday. Kgalema Motlanthe, the former president of South Africa and the commission chairman, said the …
Read More »Trump says America owes Kavanaugh apology after Supreme Court battle
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump said Monday he was apologizing on behalf of the whole country to his new conservative Supreme Court justice after one of the most contentious confirmation processes in US history. At a White House swearing-in ceremony, Trump stood next to Justice Brett …
Read More »BIYA: Africa’s longest-serving leaders
Paris, France | AFP | Cameroon President Paul Biya, 85, who is seeking a seventh consecutive term, is the second longest-serving leader in Africa with nearly 36 years in office. Only Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea is ahead, by three years. Here is a rundown of the continent’s leaders …
Read More »Zimbabwe opposition chief eyes ‘Obama effect’ in historic poll
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader and presidential hopeful Nelson Chamisa believes he will ride a wave of youthful optimism to election victory, emulating Barack Obama, Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau. In an interview with AFP, the 40-year-old Chamisa said Zimbabweans were craving generational change in the …
Read More »Rift opens in Nigeria’s ruling party as elections loom
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Lawmakers in Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have formed a breakaway group in what is expected to be a prelude to defections as elections approach next year. President Muhammadu Buhari’s former ally, Buba Galadima, on Wednesday announced the creation of a group called the …
Read More »‘Yes’ votes ahead in Burundi constitutional referendum
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 »Maduro brushes off risk of new sanctions after Sunday’s vote
Paris, France | AFP | Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday dismissed the threat of new sanctions following an early election called for Sunday, which critics have denounced as a sham aimed at tightening his grip on power. “These are unacceptable threats toward any sovereign nation,” Maduro said in an …
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 »Erdogan rejects main Turkey opposition’s TV debate challenge
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday rejected a challenge from the main opposition party’s presidential candidate to hold televised debates ahead of snap polls on June 24. Muharrem Ince, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate running against Erdogan, earlier on Monday urged the president …
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