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Equatorial Guinea leader expected to win reelection
JOHANNESBURG - Equatorial Guinea - a violent land of coups, petrodollar wealth, and killer poverty - is holding a presidential election today that its leader of 30 years says he will win by more than the 97 percent garnered in the last, widely criticized, vote. (Associated Press, 6:52 p.m.)
10,000 E. African albinos in hiding after killings
The mistaken belief that albino body parts have magical powers has driven thousands of Africa's albinos into hiding, fearful of losing their lives and limbs to unscrupulous dealers who can make up to $75,000 selling a complete dismembered set. (Associated Press Writer, 5:31 p.m.)
Eq. Guinea leader expected to win near 100 percent
Equatorial Guinea -- a violent land of coups, petrodollar wealth and killer poverty -- is holding a presidential election Sunday that its leader of 30 years says he will win by more than the 97 percent garnered in the last widely criticized vote. (Associated Press Writer, 11/27/09)
UN helicopter attacked in Congo; 4 wounded
The United Nations says at least four of its peacekeepers have been wounded in northern Congo after a U.N. helicopter was attacked by armed men. (AP, 11/27/09)
Nigerian president treated for heart condition
The chief physician for Nigeria's president says the leader is undergoing treatment for a heart condition at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. (AP, 11/27/09)
Namibia vote expected to return party to power
Namibia's longtime ruling party may see its grip on this desert nation weakened in elections that began Friday, with a challenge from a new breakaway party hoping to attract voters dissatisfied with corruption and leadership scandals. (Associated Press Writer, 11/27/09)
Defiant ‘trouser lady’ continues her fight
KHARTOUM, Sudan - A few months after she was arrested for wearing pants, Lubna Hussein was lounging around her home in an upper-class neighborhood in this capital along the Nile River. It was a hot afternoon, but the 34-year-old Sudanese journalist was wearing thick jeans adorned with sequins and embroidered flowers. (Washington Post, 11/26/09)
Inquiry into Kenya’s 2007 postelection violence is sought
THE HAGUE - The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor asked judges yesterday for permission to investigate Kenya’s postelection violence, which left more than 1,000 people dead. (Boston Globe, 11/26/09)
Tunisian court hands journalist 6-month sentence
A journalist known for his critical stance toward Tunisia's government was sentenced to six months in prison Thursday for what his lawyer called a trumped-up assault charge. (AP, 11/26/09)
Namibian elections to return ruling party to power
Namibia's longtime ruling party is expected to return to power in Friday elections but its hold on this desert nation may weaken with the emergence of a new opposition party. (Associated Press Writers, 11/26/09)
UN group arrives in Guinea to investigate killings
A United Nations human rights official says a three-member U.N. commission has arrived in this West African nation to investigate the September massacre in which troops fatally shot pro-democracy demonstrators and raped women in broad daylight. (AP, 11/26/09)
International court seeks to open Kenya probe
The International Criminal Court's prosecutor asked judges Thursday for permission to investigate Kenya's postelection violence that left more than 1,000 people dead. (Associated Press Writer, 11/26/09)
Experts: Nigerian pirates may be extending reach
A bloody pirate attack off Benin's coast is raising concerns that Nigerian pirates -- operating on the opposite side of Africa from Somali pirates -- are extending their reach and shows that the waters off West Africa are almost equally dangerous, a maritime expert said. (Associated Press Writer, 11/26/09)
Freed foreign journalists in Kenyan hospital
Two foreign journalists freed after 15 months in captivity in Somalia have been receiving medical care in neighboring Kenya, Canada's ambassador said. (Associated Press Writer, 11/26/09)
UN report cites international failures in Congo conflict
CONAKRY, Guinea - One of Africa’s most brutal rebel movements relies on a vast, international network of supporters in at least 25 countries including in the United States and Europe, a United Nations report said. (Associated Press, 11/25/09)
Somalia: 2 kidnapped journalists freed
A Canadian and Australian journalist were freed on Wednesday after more than a year in captivity, Somali officials said. (Associated Press Writer, 11/25/09)
Agencies call for more aid to fight climate change
A global network of aid agencies on Wednesday called on governments to do more to reduce the impact natural disasters caused by climate change will have on poor countries. (Associated Press Writer, 11/25/09)
AU: Donors slow in paying up for Somalia security
The African Union's Somalia envoy said Wednesday donors have released only 30 percent of funds they pledged months ago toward bolstering Somalia's security, frustrating efforts to turnaround the lawless country. (Associated Press Writer, 11/25/09)
UN report: Congo rebel network spans 25 countries
One of Africa's most brutal rebel movements relies on a vast, international network of supporters in at least 25 countries, including the United States and some in Europe, a United Nations report said. (Associated Press Writer, 11/25/09)
Report: Congo massacre witnesses were threatened
Witnesses testifying against two Congolese warlords at the International Criminal Court have been threatened and the court does not have the resources to fully protect them, a senior investigator testified Wednesday. (Associated Press Writer, 11/25/09)
Woman duped out of $50K in Internet love scam
Authorities say an Australian woman who fell in love online was duped out of nearly $50,000 by a Nigerian man who said he was her "Mr. Right." (AP, 11/24/09)
Furry felons rob SAfrican tourists, steal food
Visitors to South Africa's premier holiday destination who are worried about becoming victims of the country's high crime rate could find themselves instead robbed by a more furry kind of felon: baboons. (Associated Press Writer, 11/24/09)
2 warlords plead innocent in Congo massacre trial
Two Congolese militia leaders sent child soldiers and other fighters to wipe out a village in a revenge attack that left more than 200 men, women and children dead, a prosecutor told judges Tuesday at the International Criminal Court. (Associated Press Writer, 11/24/09)