The Charles Taylor trial – Taking solace from a verdict that can’t bring back loved ones
FREETOWN, Mustapha Dumbuya* (IPS) – Saffa Momoh Lahai was just two years old when his father was killed during Sierra Leone’s civil war. Rebels attacked their family home in Kailahun District, in the eastern reaches of the country, and shot Lahai’s father when he tried to resist. More than a decade later, Lahai went to the local [...]
Outbreak of violence as peace is lost in the Libyan desert
KUFRA, Libya, Rebecca Murray (IPS) – The recent outbreak of violence between the largely segregated Zwai and Tabu tribes in Libya’s remote, Saharan town of Kufra shattered the uneasy calm that held since last February’s clashes, resulting in more than 100 deaths. The clashes illustrate the challenges in building a new state. In the power vacuum following [...]
Charles Taylor convicted of human rights atrocities and aiding and abetting war crimes against the people of Sierra Leone
“Mr. Taylor, the trial chamber unanimously finds you guilty of 11 charges including terror, murder, rape and conscripting child soldiers”, these were the powerful words used when Judge Richard Lussick made a historic ruling at the international criminal court at the Hague convicting Charles Taylor, the former Liberian Head of State, who was accused of aiding [...]
Gold fever creates harsh working conditions and few local benefits in Kenya
Lolgorien, Kenya - Brian Dabbs - A few steps from an archaic, poorly-reinforced goldmine shaft plunging three hundred feet into the abyss, Christene Adongo toils away at her own small repository along Kenya’s Migori gold belt. Weathered and fatigued by the early afternoon heat, the 52-year-old strikes stones hour after hour with a metal hoe to locate the elusive, [...]
Danger in Mali – World Food Program expands emergency operations to support families fleeing fighting
WFP – Daouda Guirou - Fighting in northern Mali has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. While some people have fled across borders into neighboring countries, others have had to move to other parts of the country. Most of the internally displaced people are living in difficult conditions and are in real need of help. “My [...]
As Rita Dominic wins Best Actress How 2 Steal 2 Million is named Africa’s best film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards
South African Charlie Vundla scooped Best Director and his debut, film noir thriller How 2 Steal 2 Million, was named Best Film at the eight Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), held last night, 22 April 2012, at The Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suite in Lagos, Nigeria. South African actress Terry Pheto was named Best [...]
Raila Odinga’s presidential ambitions go down the drain as deputy Mudavadi quits party in protest
Despite the apparent support from Barack Obama, Kenya’s Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has suffered a massive political blow to his aspirations of becoming his country’s next president, as the very popular Musalia Mudavadi, who happens to be the deputy leader of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, has called it quits after a dispute over the nomination of [...]
Fait Accompli as West Africa regional group ECOWAS meets to discuss the situation in Guinea-Bissau
DAKAR, Souleymane Gano (IPS) – Six West African heads of state will attend a regional summit in Guinea on Monday, to discuss the situation in neighbouring Guinea and Cape Verde, where an Apr. 12 coup d’état aborted presidential elections. The Economic Community of West African States sent a delegation to Bissau, the capital, immediately following the [...]
Malawi President to swear in Commissioners to investigate student death
Malawi President Joyce Banda will today Friday swear in commissioners to invetigate the death of Polytechnic student, 25 year old Robert Chasowa. The fourth year mechanical engineering student at one of University of Malawi’s constituent college was found dead last year ago on college campus in mysterious circumstances that were explained as suicide by the country’s [...]
Nigeria set to host Africa and the international film community at the eighth Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) this Sunday, 22 April 2012
Lagos, Nigeria is set to host Africa and the international film community at the eighth Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), taking place this Sunday, 22 April 2012, at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites. At the World Media Conference held in Lagos recently, AMAA founder Peace Anyiam Osigwe announced “Africa Rising” as the theme [...]
Africa's Breaking News Center