Libya, the holder of Africa’s biggest crude reserves, is ramping up output from its biggest oil field again after two years of internal conflict, the latest reminder of just how vulnerable OPEC’s quest to clear a global crude glut might be. The Sharara deposit in the Libya’s south west will ship almost 1.9 million barrels this month from its Zawiya port near Tripoli, according to a loading program obtained by Bloomberg.
Category: Africa
Congo opposition leader who fled country announces candidacy
A top Congo opposition leader who fled the country has announced his candidacy for president and is commending a new political agreement that might allow him to come home. In a statement Tuesday, Moise Katumbi praised the deal signed by political parties that calls for President Joseph Kabila to leave power after an election that will be held by the end of the year.
.com | DRC set for talks on implementing crisis deal
Opposing sides in the crisis that has gripped DR Congo will this week hold their first talks on implementing a landmark deal on the country’s political future, mediators said on Monday. “An initial meeting for deciding on ways to implement the agreement is scheduled for Tuesday,” Father Donatien Nshole, the spokesman for National Episcopal Conference of Congo , which is overseeing the process, told AFP.
Juba University lecturers strike over detained colleagues
Academic lecturers have indefinitely suspended lessons at the South Sudan’s main University of Juba in protest to arbitrary detention of two academics. Academic staff president Philip Finish Apollo and natural resources lecture Zuher Sule were arrested on Thursday for holding a “secret meeting” after being suspended from the university by Vice Chancellor Prof.
Eight dead in suspected Sudan cholera outbreak: report
Eight people have died and 342 infected at several Sudanese states in a second wave of a suspected cholera outbreak within five months, said a report by the independent Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors. The report, which was seen by Sudan Tribune on Monday, said the preliminary tests of diarrhea samples proved they were cholera cases, pointing such cases are usually confirmed by a reference laboratory and announced by the Department of Epidemiology at the Health Ministry.
Nigeria plans to close airport in capital for runway repairs
Nigeria’s government plans to close the airport in the capital, Abuja, for six weeks to repair a runway that some airlines have described as dangerous, an aviation ministry statement said Monday. The government plans to close Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the country’s second-busiest, for most of February and March.
Suicide Bomber Kills 3 in Somalia
Somali police say at least three people were killed Monday when a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives near the international airport in Mogadishu. The explosion occurred as security forces inspected vehicles at a security checkpoint a few hundred meters from the headquarters of the African Union peacekeeping mission.
Suicide bomber ‘aged around 10’ attacks market
One person was seriously injured when a suicide bomber aged around 10 blew herself up in a New Year’s Eve attack in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, witnesses and aid workers told AFP Sunday. The girl approached a crowd around a food vendor in the Customs area of the city around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and detonated her explosives, they said.
New UN leader pledges to promote peace
Antnio Guterres took the reins of the United Nations on New Year’s Day, promising to be a bridge-builder but facing an antagonistic incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump , who thinks the world body’s 193 member states do nothing except talk and have a good time. The former Portuguese prime minister and U.N. refugee chief said after being sworn-in as secretary-general on Dec. 12 that he will engage all governments – “and, of course, also with the next government of the United States” – and show his willingness to cooperate on “the enormous challenges that we’ll be facing together.”
Deal reached to end DRCongo political crisis
The government and opposition parties in the DR Congo on Saturday clinched a hard-won deal over President Joseph Kabila’s fate, ending a political crisis that sparked months of deadly unrest. Under the terms of the deal, Kabila will stay until the “end of 2017” but a transition council will be established, headed by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi.
14 Best Skywatching Events of 2017
Another year of skywatching is upon us, and there’s a lot to look forward to in 2017! Here are some of the more noteworthy sky events that will take place this year, including multiple meteor showers, occultations of bright stars and the first total eclipse of the sun for the United States in nearly four decades. Space.com’s Night Sky column will provide more extensive coverage of these events as they draw closer.
New UN chief aims to make 2017 ‘a year for peace’
The new United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Sunday he would like to make 2017 a year to “put peace first,” in a message heralding the new year and marking his first day as the world body’s chief. Antonio Guterres speaks to the media after being sworn in as UN secretary general December 12, 2016 at the United Nations in New York The Portuguese former prime minister, 67, took over as UN Secretary-general from South Korea’s Ban Ki-moon, inheriting complex crises in Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, North Korea and elsewhere.
Burundi minister shot dead in capital – police
A gunman killed Burundi’s environment minister early on Sunday, police said, the first murder of a senior government figure in nearly two years of political violence. Emmanuel Niyonkuru, 54, was attacked as he travelled home in the central African nation’s capital Bujumbura, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said in a tweet.
New UN chief urges New Yeara s resolution: a Put Peace Firsta
Antonio Guterres took the reins of the United Nations on New Year’s Day, promising to be a “bridge-builder” but facing an antagonistic incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump who thinks the world body’s 193 member states do nothing except talk and have a good time. The former Portuguese prime minister and U.N. refugee chief told reporters after being sworn-in as secretary-general on Dec. 12 that he will engage all governments – “and, of course, also with the next government of the United States” – and show his willingness to cooperate on “the enormous challenges that we’ll be facing together.”
Get stuck in and fix this nation
Unemployed people wait for a casual job which could bring in a day's much-needed income. File picture: Independent Media ‘When the economy grows fast it delivers jobs.
Ban Ki-moon buoyed by climate accord but laments conflicts
In this Aug. 12, 2015 photo provided by the United Nations, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to the media at U.N. headquarters on allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of civilians by U.N. forces, particularly in the Central African Republic. During Ban’s second term as Secretary General, the U.N.’s failure to deal effectively with sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers in the Central African Republic and elsewhere have been widely criticized.
Congo president to leave after 2017 vote under new deal
Political parties in Congo have reached a deal that calls for President Joseph Kabila to leave power after the next election. The president’s party had wanted the vote to be held in mid-2018, and the dispute had provoked violent street demonstrations.
Mumbere 670×305
Scores of people died and the Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere and over 160 of his subjects arrested in the incident. Joint prayers for the families of the people killed and arrested in the November bloody clashes in Kasese district were held in Kasese town.
My top 10 personalities that moved Uganda in 2016
The history that had for a long time seemed unalterable was rewritten. Yet there are individuals whose feats were the final screw to the nut that brought about the merrymaking when the landmarks were achieved.
Tayebwa: An agricultural economist who inspired students
Tayebwa was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in addition to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, ailments he struggled with for about 15 years until he developed kidney failure that prompted a transplant surgery Mr Tayebwa held a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Economics and a Post-graduate diploma. He taught at Makerere University between 1987 to 2007 as a lecturer of economics and agriculture economics.
600 places to catch fireworks tonight
New year fete : As the world welcomes the New Year, tradition has been that fireworks take centre stage at the stroke of midnight. And to usher in 2017 tonight, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, has cleared 618 venues for the spectacular display of fireworks.
Calf of rare giraffe species born in UK zoo
A British zoo was celebrating after the birth of a rare Rothschild’s giraffe calf, whose number has dwindled to fewer than 1,600 in its native Kenya and Uganda. “First-time mum, Tula, delivered the most precious Christmas gift on Boxing Day,” said Chester Zoo in a message posted on its Facebook page, along with a picture of the mother and her six-foot calf standing between her legs.
Gambian president-elect tells Jammeh to transfer power like British
The Gambia’s president-elect Adama Barrow on Monday called on President Yahya Jammeh to step aside, saying that even colonial power Britain was able to hand over power peacefully. In a Christmas message, Barrow said Gambians should be free of the threat of violence as “we enter a New Year of hope” after Jammeh threatened to cling to power unless the Supreme Court orders him to step down.
Christians of the Orient: Egypt and the Future of the Copts
Hosni Mubarak had his first meeting with President George W Bush in Washington on 2 April. This was the usual time of year for the presidential visit to the United States, and the time of year for various groups of expatriate Copts to start noisy accusations of persecution of Egypt’s Christian minority.
China resumes ties with Sao Tome in triumph over Taiwan
China and Sao Tome and Principe officially resumed diplomatic relations Monday in a triumph for Beijing over rival Taiwan after the African island nation abruptly broke away from the self-ruled island last week. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart from Sao Tome, Urbino Botelho, signed books at a ceremony in front of their flags at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
.com | Tunisia security forces warn of returning jihadis
Tunisia’s security forces called on the government on Sunday to take “exceptional measures” to combat the return of jihadists fighting for extremist groups abroad. Tunisia has seen a wave of jihadist attacks since its 2011 revolution, including on foreign tourists, and the United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 Tunisians are fighting for extremist outfits, mainly in Iraq and Syria.
Boko Haram Finished? a Nope.
The 21 rescued Chibok girls were able to celebrate Christmas at the site of their abduction. But hundreds more continue to live in slavery and despair.
Mali’s Christians Return to Church under Police Protection
As the sun starts to fall, the call to prayer at the mosque echoes throughout Gao, a predominantly Muslim town in northern Mali. At that same moment, a small church bell nearby also rings.
Tunisia security forces warn of returning extremists
Tunisian women shout slogans during a demonstration outside parliament against allowing Tunisians who joined the ranks of jihadist groups to return to the country, in the capital Tunis on December 24, 2016. / AFP / FETHI BELAID
Analysis: Egypt’s hasty retreat on its UN settlements resolution
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas in the Egyptian capital Cairo on November 8. Consistency was not Egypt’s strong point in deliberations on the UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity. But Cairo got through it with its relationship with the incoming Trump administration intact, and only short-term damage to its credibility.
Nigeria: Boko Haram is crushed, forced out of last enclave
The Boko Haram extremist group has finally been crushed – driven from its last forest enclave with fighters on the run and no place to hide, Nigeria’s president declared Saturday. His victorious statement came as the Islamic State group, with which one faction of Boko Haram is allied, claimed a successful attack on an army barracks in northeast Nigeria’s Yobe state “killed and wounded many.”
The Latest: Police: Berlin market attacker recruited nephew
A thermical blanket covers a body moments after a shootout between police and a man near a train station in Milan’s Sesto San Giovanni neighborhood, Italy, early Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. Italy’s interior minister Marco Minniti… .
Stumbleupon
Television pictures showed two men being led from the aircraft in handcuffs. The prime minister of the tiny Mediterranean island, Joseph Muscat, tweeted: “Hijackers surrendered, searched and taken in custody”.
Stumbleupon
Television pictures showed two men being led from the aircraft in handcuffs. The prime minister of the tiny Mediterranean island, Joseph Muscat, tweeted: “Hijackers surrendered, searched and taken in custody”.
Kanyeihamba applauds government on Security
Edwin Mugumya the president Uganda law student’s society, Justice George Kanyeihamba and one of the publishers from Panamaline Books Uganda Limited during the press conference to launch the book. Photo by Agnes Nantambi Retired Supreme Court Justice George Kanyeihamba, has applauded President Yoweri Museveni for ensuring that his security is guaranteed, saying retired judges and magistrates find hard time staying in society especially with people they once condemned.
Kanyeihamba applauds government on Security
Edwin Mugumya the president Uganda law student’s society, Justice George Kanyeihamba and one of the publishers from Panamaline Books Uganda Limited during the press conference to launch the book. Photo by Agnes Nantambi Retired Supreme Court Justice George Kanyeihamba, has applauded President Yoweri Museveni for ensuring that his security is guaranteed, saying retired judges and magistrates find hard time staying in society especially with people they once condemned.
All-night talks fail to reach DR Congo deal
Kabila’s second and final five-year term ended on December 20, but he has shown no intention of leaving office soon, sparking violent protests that have left at least 40 people dead this week, according to the United Nations. President Joseph Kabila.
The Latest: Malta PM: Hijackers of Libyan plane surrender
Malta’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, says the hijacking of a Libyan plane is over after the hijackers gave themselves up. In a series of tweets, he said the hijackers left the airplane along with its final crew members after earlier freeing all the passengers from a flight that was diverted to his country.
Plane hijacking in Malta ends peacefully; 2 men surrender
After hours of tense negotiations, two Libyans who hijacked a plane from Libya to Malta and threatened to blow it up surrendered peacefully Friday, allowing 118 passengers and crew to leave the plane before walking out themselves with the last of the crew. The hijacked Airbus A320 flight, operated by Afriqiyah Airways, was traveling from the Libyan oasis city of Sabha to Tripoli when it was diverted to Malta midmorning on Friday.
Hijackers of Libyan plane surrender
An Afriqiyah Airways plane stands on the tarmac at Malta’s Luqa International airport as passengers depart, Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. Hijackers diverted the Libyan commercial plane to Malta on Friday and threatened to blow it up with hand grenades, Maltese authorities and state media said.