POLITICS-MOZAMBIQUE: Another Five Years for Frelimo

There were few surprises this week when the final results for Mozambique’s general elections on Dec. 1 and 2 were announced.

POLITICS: EU to Support Congolese Poll

The European Union has pledged support for general elections that are scheduled to take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo in June next year.

POLITICS-UGANDA: A Christmas Season More Tense Than Joyous

With Christmas just a few days away, and news of an extended ceasefire between government and rebels, the inhabitants of northern Uganda might be expected to be getting into the swing of the festive season.

POLITICS-ETHIOPIA: As 2004 Ends, All Eyes on Next Year’s Poll

In Ethiopia’s plethora of street cafés, above the whistling of steam escaping from ancient cappuccino machines, the talk is of next year’s parliamentary elections.

POLITICS-SOMALIA: New Government Falls Short on Gender Equity

For women in Southern Africa, it’s 30 percent. Further north in Somalia, the target is a more modest 12 percent. Even so, this goal is not being met.

POLITICS: Kofi Annan Receives a Vote of Confidence From His Home Continent

In recent weeks, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has been the subject of heated debate in the United States and Europe – this after he was accused of oversight in his handling of the Iraq oil-for-food programme between 1996 and 2003. Allegations of conflict of interest in the Annan family concerning the initiative have also been made.

POLITICS: China and Africa in an Ever-Closer – Sometimes Thornier – Embrace

Wang Ke gets agitated when asked about the arrival of the first Chinese visitors to Africa. As legend has it, the explorers were not overly impressed by what they discovered on the continent. After capturing a few giraffe, they boarded their ship and returned to China.

DEVELOPMENT: After Mines Conference, It’s Business as Usual at Lopiding

Rough bits of plastic, wood and metal become - instruments of new life" in Edward Wafula's hands.

EDUCATION-AFRICA: Universal Schooling an Elusive Goal

A new report by the South African Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA) has highlighted the challenges and constraints facing education in Africa.

WORLD AIDS DAY: African Women’s Rights Protocol a Weapon Against HIV

"When you look at the larger picture of HIV/AIDS, the leadership is mainly men. We need to train and have more women leaders," says Prudence Mabele, an AIDS campaigner in South Africa.

POLITICS-MOZAMBIQUE: Observers Concerned Ahead of Poll

Mozambicans go to the polls Wednesday and Thursday for general elections that will see President Joaquim Chissano step down after 18 years as head of state.

DEVELOPMENT: Plant a Landmine, and Reap Years of Destruction

As the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World got underway Monday in Kenya, the situation of people like Monica Piloya from Uganda was at the top of the agenda.

HEALTH-KENYA: Women Prime Targets for HIV

Kenyan health officials have expressed concern about the fact that women in the East African country are more vulnerable to AIDS than men, and that the gap between men and women as regards new HIV infections appears to be widening.

POLITICS-SUDAN: Africa’s Longest Civil War Set to Conclude by End of Year

The Sudanese government and rebels from the south of the country pledged Friday to end their 21-year conflict by Dec. 31. This came during a two-day meeting of the United Nations Security Council in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

POLITICS-SUDAN: Time is of the Essence for Darfur, Says Annan

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for a speedy conclusion to peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and southern rebels from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army. He said this was central to resolving another conflict in the country – that in the western region of Darfur.

RIGHTS-SUDAN: Arms Trade Said to Underpin Violence in Darfur

As the Kenyan capital prepares to host a two-day meeting of the United Nations Security Council this week, reports about the situation in Darfur, western Sudan, are piling up on the desks of bureaucrats and journalists.

ENVIRONMENT-UGANDA: Stop That Noise!

A promotions van drives by, its four loud speakers blaring news of a concert that is scheduled to take place over the weekend.

RIGHTS-SUDAN: Rhetoric on Darfur Needs to be Backed by Action – NGO

Human Rights Watch has called on the United Nations Security Council to take substantive action against what it claims are ongoing rights violations in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

CORRUPTION-KENYA: A Hard Nut to Crack

The government of President Mwai Kibaki is under pressure to make public the wealth of its officials as part of its commitment to fight corruption in Kenya.

POLITICS-SUDAN: Government on the Defensive Over Relocations

Sudan’s government has vehemently denied claims by the United Nations that it is forcibly relocating internally displaced persons from camps in the strife torn western region of Darfur.

RIGHTS-SOMALIA: UN Urged to Probe War Crimes

Rights groups are sceptical of the ability of the proposed Somali government to address the thorny issues of human rights abuses which have been at the heart of the collapse of Somalia since 1991.