Topic: African Politics

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Briefing
Five reasons to care about the Sudan - South Sudan conflict

Fighting between South Sudan and its rival, Sudan, could restart a 20-year civil war that claimed the lives of millions. It could also affect the price Americans pay for car fuel, China’s ability to keep its economy growing, and the stability of the region. Here’s a few reasons to pay attention to the fighting in Sudan.
10 of TIME's 100 'most influential'

What does it mean to be influential today? TIME Magazine may not have a scientific answer, but they identified scores of people in their 2012 “100 Most Influential People in the World” list, released this week. Here is a sampling of 10 people from around the world who made the cut.
7 excellent books about Kony and the LRA

Seven books to better inform about Kony, the LRA, and Uganda.
International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe

International Women's Day has served for more than a century as a day to honor the achievements of women globally. Here are some ways people are celebrating:
Egypt's constitution: How 5 stakeholders would shape the document

Here’s what key stakeholders want Egypt’s new constitution to look like.

All Content

Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor sentenced to 50 years in prison (+video)

An international court proceeding ended Wednesday with the sentencing of Taylor, who was convicted of aiding and abetting numerous war crimes in Sierra Leone.
Global News Blog
Why Zimbabwe's President Mugabe was named UN 'tourism envoy'

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, who signed an agreement to co-host a UN tourism conference, now has an honorary position as envoy, despite a long record of human rights abuses.
Egypt elections: a test of hard-won civic values

The final round of Egypt's presidential elections has two candidates who must appeal more broadly to Egyptian demands for equality and freedom. Both candidates need to compromise with pro-democracy groups.
With talks, another chance at peace for Sudan and South Sudan

Just a day after South Sudan accused Sudan of attacks inside its territory, the countries send negotiators to Addis Ababa to try to resolve disputes over border, security, and oil revenues.
Angry crowd targets HQ of Egypt's 'candidate for stability,' citing vote fraud (+video)

Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, has cast himself as the presidential candidate who can restore stability to Egypt. But last night's protests underscore how polarizing he is.
Egyptian voters will choose from polar opposites in presidential runoff

Egyptian officials announced today that Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, and Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, will face each other in a June runoff.
Keep Calm
Sudan and South Sudan to resume negotiations

After weeks of fighting, in which South Sudan took out one of Sudan's last remaining oil fields, the two countries are returning to the negotiation table, under African Union mediation. 
Focus
Are terrorists beyond redemption?

The record shows that some radicals can be persuaded to give up the gun when inducements and local conditions are right. The Pentagon recently spent $4.5 million to find out more.
Likely Egypt election runoff: Muslim Brother vs. Mubarak man (+video)

According to initial returns from Egypt's presidential election, Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood and Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's prime minister, are likely to face off in next month's runoff.
Egypt's Elections: Muslim Brotherhood claims exit-poll lead

While only a small number of ballots have been counted, Brotherhood leaders have said that there candidate is sure to advance to a run-off round.
In Egypt's Islamist heartland, voters voice doubts about Muslim Brotherhood

Voters in the Imbaba neighborhood of Cairo are impatient with the Muslim Brotherhood's lack of accomplishments during their short tenure in parliament.
Egyptian presidential election continues for second day

If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a two-day runoff election next month.
Egypt votes with hope and fear

Egyptians took the the polls today in the first competitive presidential election in a lifetime, brought on by last year's populist uprising.
In Egypt presidential poll, fault lines even within families

The first day of voting in Egypt's historic presidential election ended with few reports of irregularities, but evidence of a nation divided over the right choice.
In historic election, Egyptians cast votes for stability, Islam (+video)

Nearly a year and a half after the revolution that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians are getting to choose their president for the first time.
Egypt presidential face-off: Islamists vs. 'regime remnants'

Egypt's first free presidential election in modern times starts tomorrow, with the front-runners the Islamist Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh and Amr Moussa, a former longtime servant of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
Mob assaults Mali's president, calling peace deal into question

Mali's interim president, Dioncounda Traore, has been taken to the hospital, unconscious, after pro-military junta protesters broke into the presidential palace. Will a ECOWAS peace deal hold?
We Egyptians are still marching forward toward democracy

Contrary to the global perception that Egypt is sinking into chaos, presidential election debates reflect hope for a new Egypt. Open debate between secular and Islamist groups was unthinkable over the past 60 years. This openness means the Egyptian body politic is maturing.
Keep Calm
West African group backs off intervention in Mali mess

ECOWAS had warned of a possible military intervention, but at a meeting in the Malian capital of Bamako, they accepted an interim president chosen by military coup leaders.
Lockerbie convict dies, closing dark chapter for Libya

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi was the only person ever convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. He died at home in Tripoli Sunday, nearly three years after his release from Scottish prison.
US mulls Nigeria's Boko Haram for terror watch list

The Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has killed more than 1,000 in a three-year insurgency, and may have ties with Al Qaeda. Will putting the group on a terror watch list help?
Candidate Aboul Fotouh highlights diversity of Egypt's Islamists

Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh has emerged as a top candidate in next week's Egyptian presidential elections.
Keep Calm
West African group mulls intervention in Mali

ECOWAS, a West African regional group, reimposes sanctions and considers military intervention after Mali's coup leaders renege on promise to cede power to civilian rulers. 
South Sudan refugee influx strains Kenyan camps

Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp, whose population thinned out as South Sudanese went home following a 2005 peace deal, is filling once more as Sudan and South Sudan return to fighting.
Keep Calm
Rains cool off war in South Sudan (+video)

The six month rainy season gives time for Sudan and South Sudan to make progress in resolving differences. But the wet weather will strain the sanitation systems in refugee camps.