JOHANNESBURG (BLOOMBERG) – Former South African President Jacob Zuma rejected a slew of allegations that he aided and abetted graft during his almost nine years in office and claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy by foreign and domestic intelligence agencies intent on ousting and discrediting him. “I have been the subject of talk […]

A Sudanese protester has been shot dead by members of a feared paramilitary group, pro-opposition doctors say. The man was shot in the head by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the south-eastern Sinnar state, during a protest against allegations of RSF brutality, they say. Neither the RSF nor Sudan’s ruling military council […]

The head of a Burundian militia accused of atrocities has been named to lead the state broadcaster, RTNB, sparking condemnation by human rights groups. Human Rights Watch said the appointment of Eric Nshimirimana was “a blow to all victims of abuse perpetrated by the Imbonerakure, as well as freedom of the press in Burundi”. The […]

MOGADISHU, Somalia — At least 10 people, including a Canadian journalist, were killed by militant Islamists in an attack Friday on a hotel in the port city of Kismayo, a Somali official said. Abdi Ahmed, a local district official, told The Associated Press that the death toll may rise as fighting between the militants and […]

Donald Trump’s presidency has coincided with a sharp rise in US-led airstrikes in Somalia and the trend is set to continue in 2019. In a speech in December outlining the US’ Africa policy, President Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton said “terrorists operating in Africa have… repeatedly targeted US citizens and interests”. He gave the […]

Islamist militant group al-Shabab is battling the UN-backed government in Somalia, and has carried out a string of attacks across the region. The group, which is allied to al-Qaeda, has been pushed out of most of the main towns it once controlled, but it remains a potent threat. Who are al-Shabab? Al-Shabab means The Youth […]

Four men in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have received death threats for organising a mock wedding on Facebook that was deemed offensive to Islam. The groom, Sanusi Abdullahi, confessed to having “jokingly” offered a female Facebook friend a bride price of $56 (£44) during the “online marriage”. Religious leaders said it was a mockery […]

France has denied breaching a UN arms embargo after four of its anti-tank missiles were found on a base loyal to a rogue Libyan general. The country’s defence ministry says the “unusable” US-made Javelin missiles were never intended to be passed to any group, and were due to be destroyed. However, they were discovered in […]

Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has resigned after weeks of massive street protests. Mr Bouteflika, who has been in power for 20 years, had already dropped plans to seek a fifth term as opposition to his rule grew. The powerful Algerian army had called for the 82-year-old to be declared incapable of carrying out his duties. […]

There can be few greater challenges than tackling a lethal epidemic. But imagine trying to do so in a conflict zone ravaged by extreme poverty, insecurity and poor communications amid a population where health workers are feared and distrusted. Yet that is the reality of Ebola in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, […]