Complete coverage on

Africa

Latest Stories

ICC blasts Security Council over genocide suspects updated Thu Dec 13 2012 12:36:27

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Thursday that the United Nations Security Council is not doing enough to root out Sudanese war criminals guilty of genocide.

Egyptian opposition won't sit out voteupdated Wed Dec 12 2012 09:32:14

We'll vote, Egypt's opposition said Wednesday, ending speculation that the fractious coalition would boycott Saturday's referendum on a new constitution.

Mali names new prime minister in abrupt change of leadershipupdated Wed Dec 12 2012 05:21:57

Mali's president has named Diango Cissoko as the country's new interim prime minister, according to state media reports, hours after the abrupt resignation of the former prime minister following his arrest by soldiers.

Nelson Mandela - Fast Factsupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 17:05:28

Here is a look at the life of Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of South Africa.

New hope for Somalia, says scholar MPupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 08:47:06

War-torn Somalia moved a step closer to stability this September after picking its first president elected on home soil in decades.

Nelson Mandela has lung infection updated Tue Dec 11 2012 04:40:52

Nelson Mandela's current hospitalization is due to a lung infection, authorities said Tuesday.

Mali's prime minister abruptly resigns after arrestupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 03:29:08

Mali's prime minister abruptly resigned Tuesday on state television, a day after he was arrested by a group of soldiers loyal to a former coup leader.

Omar al-Bashir - Fast Factsupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 13:04:15

Here's a look at the life of Sudan's leader Omar al-Bashir.

Mandela doing 'very well' in hospitalupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 08:34:51

Nelson Mandela, the global icon and former South African leader, is doing "very, very well" and continues to be treated at a Pretoria hospital, officials said Monday.

From slum life to Disney film: Ugandan teen chess star 'the ultimate underdog'updated Mon Dec 10 2012 07:31:30

She grew up in one of the poorest spots on earth. She couldn't read or write. As a child, she scrounged for food each day for herself, her mother, and her brother.

Mother of Nigerian finance minister kidnappedupdated Sun Dec 09 2012 21:01:55

The mother of Nigeria's finance minister was kidnapped Sunday, sparking a "massive manhunt" for her captors, officials said.

Ghana president re-elected, a result opposition claims was 'manipulated'updated Sun Dec 09 2012 13:16:17

Ghana's election commission announced Sunday night that the West African nation's president won re-election, though the main opposition party says it has "credible evidence" the results were manipulated.

Somali army captures key town from Al-Shabaab rebelsupdated Sun Dec 09 2012 08:42:06

The Somali National Army, along with African Union troops, on Sunday launched a long-awaited offensive against al Qaeda-linked Somali rebels and captured the town of Jowhar, the AU and residents said.

U.S. seeks to interview detained Egyptian jihadist in Benghazi probeupdated Sat Dec 08 2012 16:31:15

American authorities are examining whether the leader of a post-revolution terror network in Egypt played a role in the September 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the investigation.

Mandela in hospital for tests 'consistent with his age'updated Sat Dec 08 2012 11:08:32

South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela has been admitted to a hospital in Pretoria for tests, but there is "no cause for alarm," President Jacob Zuma said Saturday.

Iranian warships dock again in Sudanupdated Sat Dec 08 2012 09:38:28

Two Iranian navy warships arrived Saturday morning in Port Sudan, in the second such visit to Sudan within two months, eyewitnesses and officials said.

Second blast in 3 days hits Somali neighborhood in Kenyaupdated Sat Dec 08 2012 04:33:55

A blast ripped through a neighborhood in Kenya's capital, killing three people in the second attack in three days targeting the predominantly Somali area.

Ghana extends voting in some areas after glitches, delays updated Sat Dec 08 2012 00:35:32

Ghana extended voting into a second day Saturday in areas where election materials arrived late or glitches with a new biometric identification system caused delays.

African slave traditions live on in U.S.updated Fri Dec 07 2012 06:39:10

Along the lush sea-islands and the Atlantic coastal plains of the southern East coast of America, a distinctive group of tidewater communities has stuck together throughout the centuries, preserving its African cultural heritage and carving out a lifestyle that is uniquely its own.

Incumbent leader, former president's son face off in Ghana electionupdated Fri Dec 07 2012 02:06:59

Ghanaians voted Friday in a general election that pits the incumbent against the son of a former president in one of Africa's most stable democracies.

Military plane crashes in South African mountains updated Thu Dec 06 2012 03:51:02

A South African military plane crashed in the mountains as it headed to an airport near the rural hometown of Nelson Mandela, authorities said Thursday.

Trekking savannah to deliver Maasai nomads' vaccinesupdated Wed Dec 05 2012 07:07:12

In most doctors' waiting rooms, it's the nurse who calls the mother and child for their vaccination. In Tanzania's Arusha National Park, nurse Neema Baynet has to go out and find her patients.

Armed men attack camp in eastern Congo after rebels pullout from captured cityupdated Sun Dec 02 2012 09:40:29

Armed men attacked a displaced persons camp in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo early Sunday, raping women and looting at a facility where tens of thousands of people have taken refuge, a U.N. official said.

Congo rebels start pullout from captured city, witnesses sayupdated Sat Dec 01 2012 06:26:33

Rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo began withdrawing from the key eastern city of Goma on Saturday, witnesses said, more than a week after they seized it from government forces.

UK withholds Rwanda aid over claims it backs Congo rebelsupdated Fri Nov 30 2012 09:52:29

Britain is withholding a multimillion-dollar aid payment to Rwanda over allegations that it is backing rebels who have been fighting government forces in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, a minister said Friday.

'Give African women a voice,' say activistsupdated Fri Nov 30 2012 05:28:52

In 2010 the African Union launched a decade-long initiative to promote women's empowerment and put female rights at the heart of development in the billion-strong continent.

Democratic Republic of Congo rebels say they will leave captured Gomaupdated Wed Nov 28 2012 04:05:41

Members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's M23 rebel movement said Wednesday they would withdraw from the captured city of Goma in line with a demand by regional leaders and the African Union.

Saudis protest for release of political prisoners, activist saysupdated Tue Nov 27 2012 17:06:10

Saudi Arabian security forces dispersed and detained dozens of protesters, including women and children, who on Tuesday were urging the government to release political prisoners, according to activists.

Passengers survive after plane ditches in Indian Oceanupdated Tue Nov 27 2012 14:05:33

A passenger plane crashed into the Indian Ocean shortly after takeoff Tuesday from an airport in Moroni, Comoros Islands, a government official said.

Congo rebels may be leaving captured Goma, U.N. saysupdated Tue Nov 27 2012 10:27:56

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's M23 rebel movement appeared to be starting to withdraw from the eastern city of Goma after defying a deadline set by regional leaders, a U.N. official said Tuesday.

M23 rebels ignore deadline to leave Gomaupdated Mon Nov 26 2012 16:11:24

Tension loomed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo city of Goma on Monday night as rebel commanders refused to leave the city ahead of a midnight deadline imposed by regional leaders and the African Union.

Did misunderstanding lead to horrific Nigeria mob killings?updated Mon Nov 26 2012 09:45:52

It may have been a simple misunderstanding that led to a horrific lynching.

Ghanian artist who transforms bottle tops into masterpieces updated Mon Nov 26 2012 07:36:30

It was a shimmering metal wall hanging fashioned from thousands of bottle tops that won El Anatsui international acclaim.

At least 11 killed in suicide attacks on church at Nigerian military baseupdated Sun Nov 25 2012 13:20:22

Two bombs killed at least 11 people and wounded 30 in a church inside the military barracks in Jaji, Nigeria, on Sunday.

Six weeks after being shot, Mauritania's president returns homeupdated Sat Nov 24 2012 20:03:55

More than six weeks after being shot, reportedly by his own troops, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz returned home Saturday evening from France, where he'd been receiving medical treatment.

African leaders urge Congo rebels to quit hostilitiesupdated Sat Nov 24 2012 04:46:56

Regional leaders meeting in Uganda on Saturday called on a rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to withdraw from a city seized by its fighters this week and to "stop all war activities."

Sierra Leone's incumbent president wins 2nd termupdated Sat Nov 24 2012 01:59:07

Sierra Leone's incumbent president won re-election and was sworn in for a second term, pledging to boost the economy of the nation scarred by years of civil war.

Uganda lawmakers to vote on anti-gay lawupdated Fri Nov 23 2012 20:12:40

Lawmakers in Uganda are preparing to vote on a new anti-homosexuality bill that proposes tough jail sentences for consensual same-sex behavior.

Rebel march continues in Eastern Congoupdated Fri Nov 23 2012 05:41:37

Anti-government rebels on Friday continued their march through the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, withstanding an army counterattack to maintain control of the strategically important town of Sake.

Rebel leader in Uganda for Congo crisis talksupdated Thu Nov 22 2012 13:46:11

A fight for the control of Sake, a strategically placed town in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, raged Thursday, while regional leaders sought to end the crisis.

Arrest warrant unsealed for Ivory Coast's former first ladyupdated Thu Nov 22 2012 10:59:12

The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant Thursday for Ivory Coast's former first lady, accusing her of crimes against humanity in the aftermath of her husband's election defeat in 2010.

Coup attempt disrupted, Sudanese government saysupdated Thu Nov 22 2012 10:53:34

Sudanese authorities disrupted a plot "to create chaos, target leaders of the country and destabilize the county," in what appeared to be an attempted coup d'etat, Sudan's minister of information told reporters Thursday.

Report: Benghazi security chief killed by gunmenupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 07:56:34

Unknown gunmen have assassinated the temporary security director for the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi in the latest violence to rock the city, state media reported Wednesday,

Rebels threaten wider Democratic Republic of Congo conflictupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 07:15:09

A rebel group now in control of a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo announced Wednesday that it plans to "liberate" the entire country.

U.N. director: 'Women will change the world' updated Tue Nov 20 2012 08:39:37

When Babatunde Osotimehin last year became the head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) -- the international development agency promoting female rights -- the news didn't go down too well with many women working in the field.

Beethoven in the Congo: Kinshasa's classical orchestraupdated Tue Nov 20 2012 06:55:36

In the heart of Kinshasa, the frenzied capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, classical music has found an unlikely band of heroes.

Rebels seize control of Goma amid clashes in Democratic Republic of Congoupdated Tue Nov 20 2012 05:54:21

Congolese rebels took control of the eastern city of Goma and part of the border with Rwanda on Tuesday after days of heavy clashes, a Congolese reporter there said.

Protesters, police clash in Cairoupdated Mon Nov 19 2012 17:06:37

Violence flared in central Cairo on Monday as protesters threw Molotov cocktails at police, who responded in kind.

Rebel group advances in eastern Congo, witnesses say, nearing regional capitalupdated Sun Nov 18 2012 18:30:05

A Congolese rebel group advanced within four kilometers (2.4 miles) of Goma in the violence-riddled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday evening, according to eyewitnesses, threatening to take the strategic capital of the region.

Kenya grenade blast kills 7, hurts 24updated Sun Nov 18 2012 11:28:11

A grenade explosion killed seven people and wounded another 24 on Sunday in a predominantly Somali neighborhood of Nairobi, a Kenya Red Cross official said.

Bus, train crash in Egypt kills 51 -- mostly children updated Sat Nov 17 2012 03:04:12

A train collided with a school bus Saturday morning in Egypt, killing 51 people and injuring 17, according to the health ministry.

Comic talks Muslim humor and Islamophobiaupdated Tue Nov 13 2012 07:42:37

If laughter is the best medicine then few are more qualified to offer a prescription than Riaad Moosa.

Police: 38 Kenyan officers killed in ambush involving cattle rustlersupdated Tue Nov 13 2012 04:13:25

In the worst single incident for Kenyan police in living memory, 38 officers were killed in northern Kenya over the weekend by heavily armed cattle rustlers, according to injured police reservists who were on the scene.

'Lost Boy' refugees break cooking tabooupdated Mon Nov 12 2012 06:57:53

Ayen Kuol is a woman with a mission: to get men into the kitchen.

Troops could be headed to Mali to fight Islamist extremistsupdated Sun Nov 11 2012 15:31:49

A summit of African leaders approved a proposal Sunday to send 3,300 troops to Mali to help evict Islamist radicals who have taken control of that country's northern territory. But a spokesman for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says more steps are needed before any troops are deployed.

Death toll up in Ghana building collapseupdated Sat Nov 10 2012 14:36:18

The death toll from the collapse of a large department store in Ghana this week is now 12, a store spokesman told CNN Saturday.

Pentagon releases official timeline of Benghazi attackupdated Fri Nov 09 2012 22:45:15

The Pentagon released Friday an hour-by-hour timeline of the September 11 assault on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, highlighting when Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and senior commanders were informed of the attack and when decisions were made to move forces to assist. The release comes as the Obama administration is facing increasing questions over its response to the attack.

The fashion cult cut from a different clothupdated Fri Nov 09 2012 12:03:44

Sewage-lined streets, crumbling concrete homes and jagged sheets of metal are in stark contrast to the formally dressed man standing proudly in the middle of it all.

Salafis call for Islamic law in Egypt protestupdated Fri Nov 09 2012 07:39:06

Thousands of supporters of various Egyptian Salafi groups gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday calling for the immediate implementation of Islamic law.

Gangster movie Kenya's first Oscar contender updated Fri Nov 09 2012 07:21:51

A hard-hitting Kenyan movie about gang culture has become the country's first-ever film to be considered for an Oscar.

Rescuers search for survivors of Ghana store collapseupdated Thu Nov 08 2012 07:03:06

Rescue workers continued their search Thursday for survivors trapped under rubble after the collapse of a large department store in a suburb of Ghana's capital, Accra.

South Africa launches banknotes with Mandela image updated Thu Nov 08 2012 04:27:32

When South Africans open their wallets, they will be greeted by images of a smiling Nelson Mandela in various denominations.

Department store collapses outside Ghana capital; at least 1 deadupdated Wed Nov 07 2012 11:27:55

Rescue teams searched in what was left of a large department store in a suburb of Ghana's capital after it collapsed Wednesday morning, killing at least one woman, authorities said.

Amnesty: Malawi suspends anti-gay lawsupdated Tue Nov 06 2012 01:10:46

Malawi is shelving its laws against homosexuality pending a vote on whether to repeal them, a rights group said, a bold move in a continent that mostly criminalizes such relationships.

Film shines light on Obama's Kenyan sister updated Mon Nov 05 2012 07:51:54

When Barack Obama won the U.S. election four years ago, his Kenyan half sister Auma was with her family at their homestead, watching the historic occasion on television.

Election rekindles memory of Kenyan village's love affair with President Obamaupdated Mon Nov 05 2012 00:18:00

Four years ago this village was the center of "Obama mania."

New opportunities changing lives and the landscape in Namibiaupdated Mon Nov 05 2012 00:04:19

The vast blue sky stretched above Clara Bohitile's pick-up truck as it trundled down a dirt road deep in the Kalahari bushveld.

Flower power threatens Kenya's Lake Victoriaupdated Sun Nov 04 2012 23:12:06

Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, has been plagued by water hyacinth plants for over two decades. While its flowers can be beautiful its foliage can grow to cover large swaths of the waters in a dense green mat of leaves that choke the shoreline of fish.

Militias battle in Tripoliupdated Sun Nov 04 2012 12:32:18

Fighting between two militias erupted at the building that previously housed Libya's intelligence agency in central Tripoli early Sunday, sources said.

Gunmen attack Nigerian police station; kill 2 copsupdated Sun Nov 04 2012 10:46:40

Gunmen attacked a police station in northeast Nigeria early Sunday, killing two officers, the head of the police force in Yobe State said.

Egypt's Coptic Christians pick new popeupdated Sun Nov 04 2012 05:23:06

Egypt's Coptic Christians picked a new leader Sunday, a process that involved a blindfolded boy choosing one of three names in a crystal chalice.

30 people shot dead in Nigeria, rights group saysupdated Fri Nov 02 2012 15:40:47

More than 30 people have been shot dead in Nigeria, the head of Amnesty International said Friday, only a day after the rights group accused Nigerian security forces of committing serious abuses in their efforts to crack down on the militant Islamist group Boko Haram in the region.

Report: Nigeria guilty of abuses in pursuing Boko Haram militantsupdated Thu Nov 01 2012 08:46:14

Nigeria's security forces have been guilty of serious human rights abuses in their efforts to crack down on the militant Islamist group Boko Haram, Amnesty International said Thursday in a new report.

War reporter: 'My camera is my weapon'updated Wed Oct 31 2012 07:48:44

As he strode on stage to accept the 1999 Rory Peck award for hard news journalism, Sorious Samura struggled to find the words that would fit the moment.

Police fire tear gas as striking platinum miners protestupdated Tue Oct 30 2012 08:19:33

Police in Rustenberg, South Africa, clashed Tuesday with more than 1,000 striking miners who were barricading public roads near the Anglo American Platinum mine.

Report: Iranian warships dock in Sudan in show of supportupdated Tue Oct 30 2012 07:42:13

Two Iranian warships have docked in Sudan carrying "a message of support and friendship," Sudanese state media said.

Suicide bomber kills 7 in Nigerian churchupdated Sun Oct 28 2012 09:23:40

A suicide bombing killed seven people and wounded more than 100 others Sunday at a Catholic church in Nigeria, an emergency management official said.

$50K to help 'Kliptown kids' rise upupdated Thu Oct 25 2012 17:14:36

The South African slum of Kliptown has long suffered from high rates of unemployment, crime and school dropouts, and the end of apartheid did little to change the situation.

Oil-rich Angola bids to secure future with $5bn wealth fundupdated Thu Oct 25 2012 11:13:41

Angola, Africa's second-largest oil producer, has launched a $5 billion sovereign wealth fund in an attempt to diversify its economy -- a move more associated with wealthy Gulf States like Qatar and the UAE.

Facebook 'stalkers' face trial for model's murderupdated Thu Oct 25 2012 11:06:03

Cynthia Osokogu had it all: Beauty -- she was a former model -- intelligence and business savvy. She also modeled herself on her idol, Tyra Banks, and was emerging as a successful businesswoman.

8,100 South African mine workers firedupdated Wed Oct 24 2012 08:31:25

Operators of a South African gold mine fired 8,100 striking workers after they did not return to work.

How Namibia turned poachers into gamekeepers and saved rare wildlifeupdated Tue Oct 23 2012 22:18:14

In Namibia, the question of who owns the wildlife has often been fraught with difficulties.

Namibia country profile: moving on from a difficult past updated Tue Oct 23 2012 22:13:59

For a country of just 2.1 million people in an area more than twice the size of Germany, Namibia has seen more than its share of conflict over the past 120 years.

From Samba to carnival: Brazil's thriving African culture updated Tue Oct 23 2012 09:36:45

From samba and carnival to food, music and religion, African culture is everywhere in Brazil.

'Last of the Mohicans' composer on soundtrack to his lifeupdated Tue Oct 23 2012 08:56:12

You may not know Trevor Jones by name but chances are you are familiar with his work.

What do you know about Namibia?updated Mon Oct 22 2012 04:36:04

6 killed in attack on Guinea-Bissau military barracksupdated Mon Oct 22 2012 03:10:11

The transitional government of Guinea-Bissau said its forces killed six people amid an attack on the barracks of an elite military unit near the capital's airport.

What do you know about Namibia?updated Mon Oct 22 2012 00:13:13

A ticking time bomb: What's behind the instability in Mali?updated Sun Oct 21 2012 01:17:41

Mali is a ticking time bomb.

Nigeria arrests a suspected militant leaderupdated Sat Oct 20 2012 21:43:44

A senior commander of the militant Islamist group Boko Haram was arrested Saturday, two Nigerian security sources said.

Former Gadhafi spokesman denies capture in Libyaupdated Sat Oct 20 2012 12:44:20

The former spokesman for late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi denied a report Saturday that he was captured by Libyan special forces, saying in an audio message that he is not even in the country.

Diplomatic cables show anxiety about Benghazi violence, protection levelupdated Fri Oct 19 2012 21:18:58

A diplomatic cable sent by Ambassador Chris Stevens from Benghazi hours before the attack on the U.S. Consulate that killed him was largely devoted to the rising security threats in and around the city.

International leaders push for military intervention in Maliupdated Fri Oct 19 2012 03:27:44

A rapid deployment of an international military force is essential to solving Mali's security crisis, regional and international leaders said after a meeting Friday in the nation's capital.

Mali Islamists destroy tombs in Timbuktuupdated Thu Oct 18 2012 21:57:42

Al Qaeda-linked rebels in northern Mali destroyed historic and religious landmarks in Timbuktu on Thursday, claiming the relics are idolatrous, residents told CNN.

Changing of guard for Pentagon's Africa command updated Thu Oct 18 2012 15:10:23

President Barack Obama will nominate a new leader for the Pentagon command in charge of Africa.

Sex worker: I sleep with five men a day just to eatupdated Thu Oct 18 2012 09:26:49

We met her in the car park of a small shopping mall on the edge of Mbabane, Swaziland's capital. She was too shy to get out of the car her friend had brought her in, too nervous of who might see, or what might be overheard.

U.N. peacekeeper killed in Darfur ambushupdated Wed Oct 17 2012 18:36:17

A South African peacekeeper was killed in an ambush on a U.N. convoy in the restive Sudanese province of Darfur on Thursday, the United Nations said.

Sudan's parliament OKs deals to end conflict with South Sudanupdated Wed Oct 17 2012 16:05:21

Sudan's parliament has approved oil and security deals with South Sudan that are intended to end the conflict between the countries, Sudan's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Somali lawmakers approve new prime ministerupdated Wed Oct 17 2012 09:32:34

Somalia's parliament voted by an overwhelming majority to approve Abdi Farah Shirdon as the country's new prime minister Wednesday.

Rhino poaching hits record numbers in South Africa updated Wed Oct 17 2012 06:04:34

A record number of rhinos have been killed this year in South Africa, fueled by the belief that their horns can cure cancer.