AFRICA

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | From soldier to Islamist, populist and war crimes suspect, Sudan’s deposed leader Omar al-Bashir showed many different faces during his three decades of iron-fisted rule. The 75-year-old, who was one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, has been held in prison since his ouster in April on corruption …

Adelaide, South Africa | AFP |  South African farmer Steve Bothma heaved a sigh of relief when the weatherman finally predicted rain. His excitement was short-lived. Just a few days later, the forecast changed. It was back to cloudless sunshine. In South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, no one can remember the …

Algiers, Algeria | AFP |  A former ally of Algeria’s deposed leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected president of the protest-wracked country in a widely boycotted vote, sparking another outpouring of anger on the streets Friday. Huge crowds massed once again in Algiers vowing to keep up their campaign for the total …

South Africa | AFP |  A loud hiss rips through the stillness of southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert. It sounds like a fighter jet flying low over the Hakskeen Pan, an isolated dry lake bed in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, near the Namibian border. Then a thick cloud of sand appears …

Algiers, Algeria | AFP |  Algeria held a tense presidential election Thursday meant to bring stability after a year of turmoil, but voting was marred as protesters stormed polling stations and staged a mass rally in the capital. The unpopular vote comes almost 10 months into a street protest movement that …

Niamey, Niger | AFP | The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on an army camp in Niger which left 71 military personnel dead, the SITE intelligence group said Thursday. Hundreds of jihadists attacked the camp, near the border with Mali with shells and mortars on Tuesday, killing …

Juba, South Sudan | AFP | South Sudan’s president and its armed opposition leader met Wednesday in Juba for a rare sit-down as a deadline looms for the rivals to join forces in a power-sharing government. President Salva Kiir and his former deputy turned foe, exiled rebel chief Riek Machar, …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Nairobi’s gold-flashing governor posted bail and was freed from custody Wednesday after his dramatic arrest on corruption charges saw him become the latest top official nabbed for graft in Kenya. Mike Sonko, whose penchant for flashy jewellery and cars has come under scrutiny, paid 15 million Kenyan shillings (USD$147,500/133,000 euros) …

Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | Rwanda announced Wednesday it was scrapping an 18 percent value added tax on sanitary pads to make them cheaper for girls who are often forced to skip school during their periods. The country becomes the latest to drop the controversial tax which has increasingly infuriated women …

Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP |   Five people including three civilians were killed when jihadist militants stormed a hotel in Somalia’s capital, police said Wednesday, adding that all five attackers had also died after an hours-long siege. The attack on Tuesday evening, claimed by the Islamist group al-Shabaab, took place at …