Africa

In South Sudan, illness is as deadly as war

by Fran BLANDY Agence France-Presse UDIER, South Sudan (AFP) – By the time he was brought into the remote clinic in northeastern South Sudan, two-year-old Nyachoat was already convulsing from the malaria attacking his brain. After being given medication he lies fast asleep, naked and feverish, attached to a drip, his anxious mother sitting on the bed next to him. Nyachoat could be saved, but others are not so lucky. In South Sudan mind-bending horrors abound […]

MSF warns of food crisis in southern Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP) — Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Thursday that severe malnutrition was gripping parts of southern Ethiopia where ethnic violence has driven nearly a million people from their homes into squalid camps. MSF has treated more than 200 children in the past two weeks for serious malnutrition in Gedeo, where fresh violence in recent weeks between ethnic minorites has forced families to flee. MSF field coordinator Markus Boening said some parents were […]

UN in negotiations on Libya ceasefire

by Carole LANDRY UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — United Nations Security Council diplomats began negotiations Tuesday on a British-drafted resolution that would demand an immediate ceasefire in Libya after forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli. The proposed text seen by AFP warns that the offensive by Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) “threatens the stability of Libya and prospects for a United Nations-facilitated political dialogue and a comprehensive political solution […]

At least two dead after rockets hit Tripoli: emergency services

TRIPOLI, Libya (AFP) — At least two civilians were killed late Tuesday as a number of rockets struck parts of Tripoli, emergency services said in the Libyan capital. Another four people were injured, said a spokesman for the emergency services Osama Ali, who described the toll as still only “preliminary.” The explosions followed an offensive launched earlier this month by strongman Khalifa Haftar to take Tripoli. At least seven powerful explosions rocked the city center. Shortly […]

Sudan’s disparate opposition comes together post Bashir

by Bassem Aboualabass CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — After decades of intense divisions, Sudan’s political opposition united recently to form a powerful three-pronged bloc that became part of the protest wave which ousted autocrat Omar al-Bashir last week. During Bashir’s politically repressive three-decade rule, Sudan had around 100 political parties. They ranged from Islamists to leftists and ran the gamut from ardent critics to regime loyalists. A military transitional council is now set to rule the […]

Sudan protesters demand ‘immediate’ civilian rule

by Jay Deshmukh and Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali KHARTOUM, Sudan (AFP) — Sudanese protesters on Sunday demanded the country’s military rulers “immediately” hand power over to a civilian government that should then bring ousted leader Omar al-Bashir to justice. Thousands remained encamped outside Khartoum’s army headquarters to keep up pressure on a military council that took power after ousting Bashir on Thursday. The organization that spearheaded the protests against Bashir, the Sudanese Professionals Association, called […]

UN chief says “democratic aspirations” of Sudanese people must be realized, calls for calm after Bashir ouster

  (Eagle News) – United Nations chief António Guterres on Thursday reiterated his call for calm and “utmost restraint by all” as he stressed that the “democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people” need to be realized through “an appropriate and inclusive transition process”. The statement was made following the overthrow and arrest of President Omar al-Bashir by order of the country’s new military governing council. In a statement issued in New York by his Spokesperson, […]

US urges Sudan army to bring civilians into government

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday urged Sudan’s army to bring civilians into government after ousting veteran leader Omar al-Bashir, saying an announced two-year timeline was too long. Washington calls “on transitional authorities to exercise restraint and to allow space for civilian participation within the government,” State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters. His comments came after Sudan’s army announced “the toppling of the regime,” to be replaced by a transitional […]

Libya forces battle for Tripoli despite UN truce calls

by Rim Taher and Imed Lamloum TRIPOLI, Libya (AFP) — Forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognized government and a rival commander battled for control of the capital Thursday after UN chief Antonio Guterres warned the country faced a “very dangerous situation”. Thousands of people have fled heavy fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli that has left dozens dead and prompted mounting global alarm. Guterres appealed Wednesday for a halt to hostilities to prevent the situation […]

Sudan army topples veteran leader Bashir

  by Jay Deshmukh and Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali Agence France Presse KHARTOUM, Sudan (AFP) — Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir was ousted by the army on Thursday, brought down by months of anti-government protests against his three decades of iron-fisted rule. “I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place,” Defence Minister Awad Ibnouf said in a sombre televised address to the nation. A transitional […]

UN postpones Libya talks as violence rages

by Imed Lamloum TRIPOLI, Libya (AFP) — The United Nations on Tuesday postponed a Libyan national conference aimed at drawing up an election roadmap because of fighting raging near the capital, in another setback to peace efforts. The move came as the North African country’s warring parties faced mounting international pressure to halt the violence that has caused thousands to flee and left several dozen people dead. “We cannot ask people to take part in […]

Algeria lawmakers elect first new president in 20 years

  by Claire Doyen Agence France Presse ALGIERS, Algeria (AFP) — Lawmakers named the speaker of the upper house as Algeria’s first new president in two decades Tuesday, after the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika following mass protests. The election of Abdelkader Bensalah as interim president follows constitutional rules but goes against the demands of demonstrators, who have pushed for him and other top politicians to stand down. “I want to work towards fulfilling the interests […]