By Bate Felix and Ngouda Dione DAKAR (Reuters) -Senegalese opposition firebrand Ousmane Sonko and the presidential candidate he is backing in the March 24 election, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison on Thursday, state broadcaster RTS said on its website. Their release had been expected after parliament passed an amnesty law on March 6 …
Thousands celebrate release of jailed Senegal opposition leaders Read More »
BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Democratic Republic Congo has lifted a moratorium on the death penalty, citing treachery and espionage in recurring armed conflicts as the reason for allowing a resumption of executions, said a justice ministry circular seen by Reuters on Friday. The central African country introduced the moratorium on the death …
Congo lifts moratorium on death penalty, justice ministry circular shows Read More »
DAKAR (Reuters) – Senegal’s Supreme Court on Friday rejected a bid by one of the main opposition parties to halt a presidential election on March 24, sparing the country from another constitutional crisis. The Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS) filed an urgent motion to freeze electoral procedures earlier this month, citing irregularities and alleged corruption …
Senegal Supreme Court rejects opposition party bid to halt presidential election Read More »
By Abdi Sheikh MOGADISHU (Reuters) -Three soldiers were killed and 27 people wounded in an attack on a hotel in Somalia’s capital, police said on Friday, the latest incident highlighting al Shabaab insurgents’ ability to strike. Security services were earlier seen surrounding the Syl Hotel, usually frequented by government officials and lawmakers, following the late …
Three soldiers die in hotel attack in Somali capital: police Read More »
GENEVA (Reuters) – The U.N. children’s agency warned on Friday of a potential catastrophic loss of lives in Sudan as the civil war worsens hunger and called for a massive mobilisation of resources. Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been fighting Sudan’s army for control of the country in a war that has killed …
UNICEF warns of catastrophic loss of lives in Sudan as famine looms Read More »
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Attackers in Somalia’s capital stormed a hotel near the president’s office on Thursday after a pair of explosions, residents and Reuters witnesses said, with al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab claiming responsibility for the raid. Gunfire followed the Thursday evening blasts, the residents said, with unidentified attackers storming the Syl Hotel, which is a …
Attackers raid hotel in Somalia’s capital after blasts, residents say Read More »
By Mahamadou Hamidou and Abdel-Kader Mazou NIAMEY (Reuters) – Hunting for small game is a traditional pursuit across the vast sandy steppes in West Africa’s Sahel region, but rising violence linked to a decade-old fight with Islamist insurgents has limited the range for hunters in Niger like Abdou Kouda. “Before … people were allowed to …
Hunters in Niger lament loss of range to Islamist threat Read More »
By Nyasha Chingono HARARE (Reuters) – A Zimbabwean sect leader and “self-styled prophet” appeared in court on Thursday charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical labour, police said. The children “were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being …
Zimbabwe sect leader held after 251 children rescued from farm labour Read More »
By Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Nellie Peyton JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party is betting on retaining its parliamentary majority in a May election and is not in talks with other parties on a possible coalition government, the party’s deputy secretary general said. South Africans will go to polls on May …
South Africa’s ANC wary of post-election coalition, says it ‘won’t work’ Read More »
By George Obulutsa and Jonathan Saul NAIROBI/LONDON (Reuters) -Somali pirates who seized the Maltese-flagged bulk cargo ship Ruen in December may have used the vessel in the takeover of a Bangladesh-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Somalia two days ago, the European Union naval force said on Thursday. Somali pirates caused chaos in important …
Hijacked ship may have been used in attack near Somalia, security groups say Read More »
