Africa News from WN Network

Sierra Leone trial: Charles Taylor set to address court 2012-05-16
BBC News

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is expected to address the international court that found him guilty of war crimes in Sierra Leone. It is his last chance to speak at the tribunal in The Hague before being sentenced later this month. The prosecution will press its case for an 80-year prison...

photo: AP / Peter Dejong

Amnesty cites rights abuses in northern Mali 2012-05-16
Al Jazeera

Amnesty International has accused armed Tuaregs and groups fighting to impose Sharia law in northern Mali of carrying out grave rights abuses such as rape, murder and using child soldiers. A report released on Wednesday by the London-based rights group said government soldiers had also carried out...

photo: AP / Harouna Traore

Half of South Sudan facing food shortages, warns UN 2012-05-16
BBC News

More than half the population of South Sudan are facing food shortages due to the continuing conflict with Sudan, the UN is warning. It says fighting on the border between the two countries and the shutdown of oil production have had a devastating impact on the South's economy. It adds there...

photo: UN / /Isaac Billy

Zille speech interrupted 2012-05-15
Independent online (SA)

DA leader Helen Zille was interrupted while speaking at a protest against Cosatu over the youth wage subsidy when violence erupted in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Tension was in the air as she took the microphone in the city centre. The louder she spoke, the louder chants from Congress of SA Trade Union...

photo: AP

Africa must end hunger to sustain growth - U.N 2012-05-15
The Star

NAIROBI, May 15 (AlertNet) - Africa needs to boost agricultural productivity and address the debilitating hunger that affects 27 percent of its population if it is to sustain its economic boom, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on Tuesday. African economies grew at an average of...

photo: WN / Eteh

Kony's right-hand man captured in riverbank ambush 2012-05-14
Irish Times

Uganda has captured one of the top five members of the Lord's Resistance Army, bringing it a step closer to catching Joseph Kony, the notorious rebel leader accused of war crimes, the military said...

photo: AP -Stuart Price, Pool

UN chief tells Sudan to pull troops from Abyei 2012-05-13
France24

AFP - UN leader Ban Ki-moon has called on Sudan to move its troops out of the disputed territory of Abyei after rival South Sudan withdrew its security forces. Ban called on both governments to fall in line with a UN Security Council...

photo: UN / Eskinder Debebe

Togo opposition leader threatens poll boycott 2012-05-12
The Boston Globe

LOME, Togo-Togo's opposition leader is threatening to boycott an election slated for October if the...

photo: WN / Eteh

City title triumph can usher in new era - Mancini 2012-05-12
France24

AFP - Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City have the ability to dominate the Premier League for years to come - but only if they secure their first title. City will clinch a first top-flight crown for 44 years if they defeat relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers at Eastlands on Sunday....

photo: AP / Scott Heppell/AP/dapd

Clashes resume in Congo's east 2012-05-12
The State

KINSHASA, Congo - Fighting resumed Friday in eastern Congo between the army and a group of ex-soldiers who left the military to form a new rebel group, an army spokesman said, ending three years of relative peace in this nation periodically upended by war. The defections and violence started last...

photo: UN / Elizabeth Murekio