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The United Nations appears to have been aware of rape by rebels in eastern Congo earlier than it originally said it was, according to an internal e-mail and a humanitarian bulletin.

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At least 1 dead in second day of Mozambique riotsupdated Thu Sep 02 2010 13:06:00

At least one person was killed Thursday as riots in the southern African nation of Mozambique continued into a second day, Deputy Justice Minister Alberto Nkutumula said in a televised news conference.

Official: Southern Sudan could unilaterally secedeupdated Thu Sep 02 2010 11:41:00

Southern Sudan, the autonomous region in Sudan, may unilaterally declare its sovereignty, since the central government isn't doing enough to plan and stage a referendum on independence by January, an influential political figure told CNN on Thursday.

Kenya pushes back over war crimes suspect's visitupdated Thu Sep 02 2010 10:13:00

The Kenyan government Thursday defended its decision not to arrest Sudan's visiting head of state -- wanted on charges of war crimes and genocide -- saying Kenya's first obligation was to the African Union, not the International Criminal Court.

U.N. official is 'hopeful' for Somaliaupdated Thu Sep 02 2010 09:18:00

A U.N. official who toured the Horn of Africa to assess its political climate thinks there's hope for war-torn and chaotic Somalia.

Battling to preserve Nigeria's rainforestupdated Thu Sep 02 2010 08:23:01

According to the World Resources Institute, Nigeria is home to 4,715 different types of plant species, and over 550 species of breeding birds and mammals, making it one of the most ecologically vibrant places of the planet.

South African unions reject government offerupdated Thu Sep 02 2010 05:23:00

South African union members Thursday rejected an improved wage offer from the government as a public sector strike continues to cripple the country.

Fighting, death and oil: Inside the conflict in Sudanupdated Wed Sep 01 2010 12:53:04

Before I went to Sudan, I didn't know much about the conflict in Darfur beyond everyone saying, "It's the worst genocide of our time" and watching footage on CNN of the Janjaweed militia wiping out whole villages. Really, we only decided to go there because one of our favorite photographers had been chatting with an old friend of his who is now a UN press officer in Khartoum. She offered to pull some strings and get us visas and organize flights around the country, so we said, "F*** it" and got on a plane.

Sierra Leone tourists to build their own eco-resortupdated Wed Sep 01 2010 12:12:31

For many people, the name Sierra Leone still conjures up images of the country's decade-long civil war and subsequent war crimes trials.

At least 4 die in Mozambique food riotsupdated Wed Sep 01 2010 10:26:00

At least four people died and 27 were wounded in riots that erupted Wednesday after Mozambique's government announced increases in the price of bread, water, energy and other critical goods, the southern African nation's official news agency reported.

Singer Nneka tells world of love and injustice in Nigeriaupdated Wed Sep 01 2010 07:09:30

It is a long journey from the Niger Delta to the concert halls of the United States, but it is one that Nneka is taking in her stride.

Bombs, shelling kill dozens in Somaliaupdated Tue Aug 31 2010 14:47:00

At least nine civilians were killed and 25 were injured when roadside bombs hit minibuses in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, according to eyewitnesses and officials.

U.N. focuses on missing activist, gang rapes in Congoupdated Tue Aug 31 2010 13:24:00

U.N. officials said they will toughen efforts to thwart the kind of mass rape reported recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and they urged the country to ramp up a search for a missing human rights activist believed to be kidnapped.

Henry Olonga, Zimbabwe's cricketing rebelupdated Tue Aug 31 2010 13:03:42

He's the youngest ever cricketer to represent Zimbabwe at international level. He's also the first black cricketer to play for his country. But Henry Olonga's place in history does not rest solely on the brilliance of his bowling.

Three abducted Russian pilots released in Darfurupdated Tue Aug 31 2010 05:33:00

Three Russian pilots working for a Sudanese aviation company who were abducted in the Darfur region have been released, a Russian embassy spokesman said Tuesday.

Kenya, African Union defend Bashir visitupdated Tue Aug 31 2010 04:04:00

Kenya and the African Union are defending a visit by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted on allegations of war crimes and genocide.

South African government ups offer to striking workersupdated Tue Aug 31 2010 04:02:00

The South African government has increased its wage and housing offers to striking workers, a union spokesman said.

Nigerian governor says abuse of child 'witches' exaggeratedupdated Mon Aug 30 2010 20:47:00

A Nigerian governor said on Monday that reports of child abuse associated with witchcraft in his state are greatly exaggerated.

Peacekeepers killed by mortar shell in Somaliaupdated Mon Aug 30 2010 14:26:59

Four Ugandans who were part of the African Union peacekeeping force were killed and eight were wounded Monday by a single mortar bomb that landed near Somalia's presidential palace, according to Maj. Barigye Ba-Hoku, spokesman of the African Union mission in Somalia.

Niger flooding displaces nearly 200,000, UN saysupdated Mon Aug 30 2010 12:13:00

Heavy rains in Niger have displaced nearly 200,000 in recent weeks, the United Nations says, calling on donors and aid agencies to send shelter material, blankets and other supplies.

Aid worker freed in Darfurupdated Mon Aug 30 2010 11:48:00

An aid worker with Samaritan's Purse, a Christian aid organization, has been freed after 105 days in captivity in the Darfur region of western Sudan, a spokeswoman for the organization said Monday.

Three Russian pilots abducted in Darfurupdated Mon Aug 30 2010 04:36:00

Three Russian pilots working for a Sudanese aviation company have been abducted in the Darfur region, officials said Monday.

Does paying to protect the environment work?updated Sun Aug 29 2010 23:26:36

One of the biggest dilemmas for conservationists is that preserving the environment often conflicts with the needs of the poorest communities who live there.

U.N.: Niger flooding displaces nearly 200,000updated Sun Aug 29 2010 08:28:00

Heavy rains in Niger have displaced nearly 200,000 in recent weeks, the United Nations says, calling on donors and aid agencies to send shelter material, blankets and other supplies.

Al-Shabaab commandeers Somali radio stationupdated Sat Aug 28 2010 17:35:05

An al Qaeda-linked militant movement has taken control of a radio station in Somalia's capital, the government announced Saturday.

Quiz: How much do you know about Brazil and Nigeria?updated Fri Aug 27 2010 13:12:13

South Africa strike risks babies' livesupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 11:28:16

Thomas Lehloholo was driving around Johannesburg desperately looking for a doctor to deliver his premature son when he got the call telling him it was too late. He had become a father.

Lord's Resistance Army terrorizing people of Southern Sudanupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 09:03:00

Albert Abuda might never see his children again.

Hundreds die of cholera in Nigeria, Cameroonupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 07:33:00

A cholera outbreak has erupted this summer in Africa, killing more than 600 people in the neighboring countries of Nigeria and Cameroon.

U.N. report accuses Rwanda of massacre in Congoupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 07:01:00

The Rwandan military and an allied rebel group massacred ethnic Hutus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, says a leaked draft report commissioned by the United Nations.

Further industrial unrest threatens South Africaupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 04:48:00

Another powerful union in South Africa is threatening to join the massive strike that has already crippled the country.

Al-Shabaab claims capture of major militant baseupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 01:55:00

Somali Islamist fighters on Saturday claimed they captured the largest Mogadishu base for the government-supported militant group.

Sudan's al-Bashir, wanted for war crimes, attends Kenyan ceremonyupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 00:55:00

Kenya marked the signing Friday of a new constitution expected to usher in major change, though the celebration swirled with controversy when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, wanted for war crimes, joined the ranks of African leaders in attendance.

Cholera epidemic threatens all Nigeria, government warnsupdated Fri Aug 27 2010 00:03:00

A cholera epidemic in northern Nigeria has killed more than 350 people since June and threatens to spread to the entire country, according to the west African nation's health ministry.

The rescued, accused witches of Nigeriaupdated Thu Aug 26 2010 15:27:52

Some pastors in Southeast Nigeria claim illness and poverty are caused by witches who bring terrible misfortune to those around them.

Ngozi Edozien: 'Investing in Africa is not for the faint-hearted'updated Thu Aug 26 2010 11:50:44

Proximity is the key to success for investors looking to tap into Africa's up-and-coming economies, according to one expert on West Africa's emerging markets.

U.N. Security Council holds emergency session on Congo rapesupdated Thu Aug 26 2010 10:53:00

The United Nations Security Council in New York held an emergency session Thursday to discuss and condemn widespread rapes in eastern Congo, while the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. said she was troubled by a briefing on the attacks.

9 tons of fake medicine seized in East Africaupdated Thu Aug 26 2010 10:31:00

Authorities have seized 9,072 kilograms (20,000 pounds) of counterfeit medicine and arrested 80 people suspected of illegal trafficking in six East African nations, Interpol said Thursday.

Security firms adopt military tactics to fight rhino poachersupdated Thu Aug 26 2010 09:03:43

Continued rhino poaching in South Africa is causing some security firms to adopt military tactics in their battle against the poachers.

Somali government claims to contain Islamist rebels' offensiveupdated Thu Aug 26 2010 06:04:00

The Somali government claimed on Thursday that it has contained an offensive by Islamic extremist rebels that had been launched in the nation's capital earlier in the week.

Kenya jails Chinese national for ivory possessionupdated Thu Aug 26 2010 05:41:00

Kenya authorities have sentenced a Chinese national to 18 months in prison for possession of illegal ivory, the country's wildlife service said.

50 years after independence, what are your hopes for Africa?updated Thu Aug 26 2010 04:26:54

In 1960, an unprecedented number of African nations won independence from their colonial masters, bringing to an end decades of rule by European powers.

King, AIDS activists condemn Swaziland official's claimupdated Thu Aug 26 2010 02:18:00

The king of Swaziland on Thursday distanced himself from a top adviser who has come under fire for saying the nation's AIDS epidemic is exaggerated to help benefit drug companies.

Cholera toll approaching 300 in Cameroonupdated Wed Aug 25 2010 18:03:00

Cholera has killed 297 people in the west African nation of Cameroon, health officials said Wednesday.

Comment: Strike is devastating own goal for South Africaupdated Wed Aug 25 2010 16:46:17

Six weeks ago South Africa was basking in the afterglow of hosting a successful soccer World Cup that lawmakers boasted would add millions of dollars to the national economy.

Children abused, killed as witches in Nigeriaupdated Wed Aug 25 2010 15:37:28

Just after midnight, the pastor seized a woman's forehead with his large hand and she fell screaming and writhing on the ground. "Fire! Fire! Fire!" shouted the worshippers, raising their hands in the air.

Plane crash in Congo kills at least 19updated Wed Aug 25 2010 11:01:00

At least 19 people died when a small plane crashed Wednesday in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a government official told CNN.

U.N. peacekeepers cite delay in learning of mass rape in Congoupdated Wed Aug 25 2010 07:58:00

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo did not know about a rebel attack and mass rape in that region until more than a week after the events took place, a U.N. peacekeeping mission official said Wednesday.

Members of Somali parliament killed in bombing are identifiedupdated Wed Aug 25 2010 06:58:59

Somali officials released the names of the four members of parliament Wednesday who were killed in a bomb attack on Tuesday.

Beirut neighborhood calm after deadly clashesupdated Wed Aug 25 2010 05:21:37

The streets in the Lebanese capital were calm Wednesday, a day after clashes between supporters of the Shiite militant group Hezbollah and a Sunni faction left there people dead.

Veteran Somali journalist killed in Mogadishu fightingupdated Wed Aug 25 2010 05:10:00

An experienced radio journalist was killed during crossfire between Islamist rebels and government forces in Somalia's capital, a journalist rights group said.

Former U.N. peacekeeper reflects on Congo independenceupdated Tue Aug 24 2010 09:36:29

Donald Luscombe was just 19 when he arrived in the Congo in 1963 as part of a Canadian U.N. peacekeeping force.

Ory Okolloh, the pan-African bloggerupdated Tue Aug 24 2010 06:21:05

Kenyan blogger Ory Okolloh has lit a fire under the African blogosphere with her posts about politics, human rights and other controversial issues.

UN Security Council condemns Somali suicide attackupdated Tue Aug 24 2010 01:56:00

The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the Somalia suicide bombing that took the lives of at least 33 people on Tuesday. Six members of the Somali Parliament died in the attack and three members were injured, a government spokesperson said.

More than 150 women raped in Congolese villageupdated Tue Aug 24 2010 01:49:43

Two armed groups raped more than 150 women in a village in the volatile North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a four-day spree, a United Nations official said Monday.

Fighting in Somalia's capital kills at least 20updated Mon Aug 23 2010 14:43:35

Militants in Somalia's capital city killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens of others, the director of a local ambulance group in the capital said Monday.

Spanish aid workers freedupdated Mon Aug 23 2010 08:44:28

Two Spanish aid workers are free after being taken hostage by al Qaeda in North Africa nearly nine months ago, the Spanish government said Monday.

Can Africa break its 'resource curse'?updated Mon Aug 23 2010 06:13:04

Many African countries are blessed with oil and mineral wealth that has the potential to transform their economies. But historically, those resources have often been more of a curse than a blessing.

Failed bomb attempts kill 11 militants in Somaliaupdated Sat Aug 21 2010 13:44:00

Two failed bomb attempts by the Somali Islamist group Al-Shabaab killed 11 militants around Mogadishu, Somalia's transitional government said Saturday.

Southern Sudan unveils plans to build animal-shaped citiesupdated Sat Aug 21 2010 03:27:00

An amusement park sits in the ear of a rhinoceros; a five-star hotel takes the place of its eye. Another city takes the awkward image of a giraffe, with a golf course on its chest and a sewage treatment plant on its tail.

Transforming Kenya one bridge at a timeupdated Thu Aug 19 2010 18:19:13

More than 13 years after his parents drowned in a flash flood, David Kakuko is at the Moruny River, building a bridge that might have prevented their deaths.

Will Ugandans benefit from country's new oil find?updated Thu Aug 19 2010 07:57:22

The recent oil discovery in Uganda could signal an influx of unprecedented wealth for a country where more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.

Mandela charity trustee resigns over Campbell diamondsupdated Thu Aug 19 2010 07:33:00

The man who accepted three uncut diamonds from supermodel Naomi Campbell and held them privately for years is stepping down as a trustee of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the fund said.

Rwandan reggae spreads musical message of peaceupdated Thu Aug 19 2010 06:10:27

Rwanda's not a nation typically recognized for its music scene. But if you spend a little time there you'll find a selection of talented musicians ready to emerge.

Afghanistan, Africa most at risk for food shortage, UN saysupdated Thu Aug 19 2010 04:35:00

Afghanistan and several African nations are the most at risk to have a food shortage, an organization that works with the United Nations said in a report Thursday.

Report shines light on Nigerian police corruptionupdated Wed Aug 18 2010 12:48:00

Police corruption and abuse are rife in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.

3 U.N. peacekeepers killed in Congoupdated Wed Aug 18 2010 08:36:00

Three United Nations peacekeepers were slain at their military encampment in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Wednesday morning, according to an official with the U.N. mission there.

Government workers striking in South Africaupdated Wed Aug 18 2010 05:59:00

Public sector workers embarked on a countrywide strike in South Africa on Wednesday.

Can democracy thrive in Africa?updated Tue Aug 17 2010 09:52:25

When African countries gained independence from 1960 onwards, they faced the challenge of building their structures from scratch.

2 abducted Jordanians with UN-AU force in Darfur freedupdated Tue Aug 17 2010 07:30:00

The two Jordanians kidnapped on Saturday in Sudan's Darfur region have been freed, a spokesman for Sudan's foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Dr. Mathias Fobi: Hollywood's weight-loss surgeonupdated Tue Aug 17 2010 05:49:15

Dr. Mathias "Mal" Fobi may hail from Cameroon, West Africa, but he's made a name for himself as Hollywood's "weight-loss surgeon to the stars."

Nine dead, dozens wounded in Mogadishu fightingupdated Mon Aug 16 2010 16:04:44

Heavy shelling in Somalia's capital city of Mogadishu killed at least nine persons and wounded 53 others after an Islamist group launched at attack on government positions, the director of an ambulance group said Monday.

Police: 15 dead in Nigeria truck crashupdated Mon Aug 16 2010 07:31:00

Fifteen people, including a baby, were killed and 18 others were injured Sunday when a truck on its way to Lagos, Nigeria, crashed into several vehicles and caught fire, police said Monday.

Nigerian police: Unknown number of fatalities in multi-vehicle wreckupdated Sun Aug 15 2010 17:23:44

A truck on its way to Lagos, Nigeria, crashed into several vehicles and caught fire, killing an unconfirmed number of people, police said on Sunday.

Two police advisers abducted in Sudan's Darfur regionupdated Sat Aug 14 2010 16:07:15

Two police advisers working with the joint United Nations-African Union force in Sudan's Darfur region were abducted early Saturday morning, according to a spokesman.

UN seeks humanitarian access to Darfur campupdated Sat Aug 14 2010 06:28:00

The United Nations humanitarian chief urged Sudan to allow aid workers into a Darfur refugee camp that has been closed for nearly two weeks, limiting access to 80,000 displaced people.

Nigerian president may run for re-election, ruling party saysupdated Fri Aug 13 2010 08:42:00

Nigeria's ruling party has decided that President Goodluck Jonathan may run for re-election next year, resolving the outstanding question of his eligibility.

UN: Wartime rape no more inevitable, acceptable than mass murderupdated Thu Aug 12 2010 21:31:00

The United Nations is trying to put sexual violence on the international policy map, telling political and military leaders that wartime mass rape "is no more inevitable than, or acceptable than, mass murder."

19 dead in Nigerian building collapseupdated Thu Aug 12 2010 20:45:00

A three-story building collapsed in Nigeria's capital, killing 19 people, a police spokesman said Thursday.

Uganda presents bombing suspects to reportersupdated Thu Aug 12 2010 20:00:00

The Ugandan government paraded four suspects in last month's deadly bombings in Kampala before reporters Thursday, with one of the men calling himself an "evil man."

Cholera outbreak kills 200 in Cameroonupdated Thu Aug 12 2010 10:07:00

Cholera has killed 200 people in the west African nation of Cameroon, the government said Thursday, and aid agencies feared the outbreak could spread to neighboring regions and nations.

Report: Rebel group abducts 700, kills 225, in unreported campaignupdated Thu Aug 12 2010 05:36:05

The Ugandan rebel outfit, the Lord's Resistance Army, abducted almost 700 people in the last 18 months in a largely unreported campaign in the Central African Republic and northern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.

Zimbabwe launches 'humane' diamonds saleupdated Thu Aug 12 2010 03:12:00

Zimbabwe launched its first multi-million dollar diamond sale this week since obtaining certification last month that the nation's precious stones are harvested humanely and are not "blood diamonds."

At least 7 critically hurt in blast in Kigali, Rwandaupdated Wed Aug 11 2010 15:29:00

Seven people were critically wounded when a grenade exploded in downtown Kigali, a government official said Wednesday.

Supermodel says she had 'nothing to gain' in war crimes testimonyupdated Wed Aug 11 2010 05:03:00

Supermodel Naomi Campbell defended her testimony at the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, saying Wednesday she had no motive and "nothing to gain."

Mohamed ElBaradei: I am not the new Pharaohupdated Wed Aug 11 2010 04:28:02

The arrival of Mohamed ElBaradei on Egypt's political scene has electrified a country where autocracy is as old as the pyramids.

Kagame wins re-election in Rwanda, official results showupdated Wed Aug 11 2010 01:53:00

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has won re-election with 93 percent of the vote, with all districts counted, the Rwandan National Electoral Commission said Wednesday.

Kagame heading for a landslide win in Rwanda, observers sayupdated Tue Aug 10 2010 13:26:00

President Paul Kagame is poised to win another seven-year term by a landslide in Rwanda's elections, electoral observers said Tuesday.

Taylor's lawyer accuses Campbell's former agent of lyingupdated Tue Aug 10 2010 08:59:00

The attorney for former Liberian President Charles Taylor accused the former agent for supermodel Naomi Campbell of lying in her testimony at an international court Tuesday.

U.N. plans to increase staff in Somaliaupdated Tue Aug 10 2010 06:26:00

More U.N. personnel will be sent to war-ravaged Somalia after years of low staff levels in the troubled nation, a top official said Tuesday.

South African public sector workers strike, protestupdated Tue Aug 10 2010 02:37:00

Public sector workers went on strike across South Africa Tuesday, closing schools, putting a crimp in hospital staffing and wreaking havoc on a wide array of public services.

Somali militant group bans 3 international aid groupsupdated Tue Aug 10 2010 00:16:50

Al Qaeda-linked militants have banned three international aid groups from working in Somalia, claiming they are "actively propagating Christianity" in the predominantly Muslim nation.

Bullet-ridden building in Liberia turns into fair-trade havenupdated Mon Aug 09 2010 12:32:30

Chid Liberty's family business high-rise was corrupted into a site of conflict, mass graves and executions during Liberia's fourteen-year civil war.

Zimbabwe won't prosecute those behind 2008 violenceupdated Mon Aug 09 2010 11:04:00

Zimbabwe's president on Monday ruled out prosecuting those behind the 2008 violence and killings that engulfed the country and accounted for about 200 deaths.

Farrow: Campbell said diamond was from Taylorupdated Mon Aug 09 2010 05:46:00

Actress Mia Farrow testified Monday that supermodel Naomi Campbell named Charles Taylor as the person who presented her with a diamond.

Rwandans hit the polls in presidential election; Kagame favored to winupdated Mon Aug 09 2010 00:16:00

Polling stations closed by mid-afternoon Monday in Rwanda, but most people had finished voting by early morning in the country's second presidential election since the 1994 genocide.

Kagame favored in Rwanda election, but issues cloud his presidencyupdated Sun Aug 08 2010 16:19:20

Rwandan President Paul Kagame is expected to retain power after the country goes to the polls Monday in its second presidential elections since the 1994 genocide.

Official: 17 killed in clashes in northeast Somaliaupdated Sun Aug 08 2010 15:25:29

Heavy clashes between security forces and militants left at least 17 people dead and seven others wounded, according to the security minster of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in northern Somalia.

Mia Farrow to testify at war crimes trial, U.N. saysupdated Sat Aug 07 2010 05:37:00

Actress Mia Farrow is expected to testify at the war crimes trial of Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia who prosecutors allege funded a brutal civil war using blood diamonds.

'Why broadband, not roads, will transform Africa'updated Fri Aug 06 2010 09:43:03

African countries should invest in broadband infrastructure to improve the welfare of their people, according to Ajai Chowdhry, co-founder and CEO of HCL Infosystems, the global IT services provider.

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