UK pledges support for developing countries

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday pledged the support of G8 to leverage the development agenda of developing countries, by providing them with financial and human resources.
He said: “We in the developed countries need the political will to support the developing countries to harness their potentials to the fullest in their various development agenda.”
Prime Minister Cameron made the pledge when he moderated the plenary discussion for four countries that he invited to participate in this year’s G8 Summit on the theme: “Trade, Tax and Transparency.”

World Cup: Fifa probe puts Ethiopia and Tunisia progress in doubt

Ethiopia and Tunisia's progress to the final round of African World Cup qualifying are in doubt as
On Sunday, Ethiopia beat South Africa 2-1 in Addis Ababa to seemingly reach the African play-offs.
Tunisia also believed they had gone through but Fifa is investigating a case involving Equatorial Guinea, which could affect the Group B standings.
Togo are also to be investigated, meaning the Group I table could change.
Fifa rules state guilty teams "will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match".

Nelson Mandela improvement sustained – Jacob Zuma

Former South African President Nelson Mandela continues to get better in a Pretoria hospital, current President Jacob Zuma has said.

He added that the revered ex-leader remained in a serious condition as he recovered from a lung infection.

“Over the last two days, although he remains serious, his doctors have stated that his improvement has been sustained,” Mr Zuma said.
He added that Mr Mandela “continues to engage with family”.

Mr Zuma made his remarks while addressing a gathering for Youth Day in KwaZulu-Natal province in remembrance of the 1976 Soweto uprisings against apartheid.

Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai criticises Mugabe over 'poll date'

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has unilaterally declared that elections will be held on 31 July, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said.

He would not accept the date, as Mr Mugabe had acted "unconstitutionally".
Mr Tsvangirai has been pushing for key reforms as a condition for elections.

South Africa welcomes 'progress' in Nelson Mandel treatment

South Africa's government is pleased that ex-President Nelson Mandela is responding well to treatment in hospital, it said in a statement.

The cabinet, which met on Wednesday, wished a speedy recovery to Mr Mandela, regarded as the father of the nation.
The 94 year old is spending his sixth day in a Pretoria hospital suffering from a recurrent lung infection.
Earlier, President Jacob Zuma said he was happy with Mr Mandela's progress after a "difficult few days".
Mr Mandela's grandson and family heir, Mandla, said the family had "been deeply touched" by the concern shown for Mr Mandela's health.

FIFA fines Zambia

FIFA has fined Zambia US$10,000 (about KR54, 000) following the hurling of missiles on the pitch by some fans during last weekend’s Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Jubilant Chipolopolo fans reacted by throwing an assortment of objects which included plastic bottles and empty cans of beer onto the pitch as Zambia thrashed Lesotho 4-0.

If this action by some fans is repeated this Saturday when the Chipolopolo face Sudan in another Group D World Cup qualifier at the same venue, Zambia will risk playing behind closed doors at home in future international engagements.

Jacob Zuma says ‘all are praying’ for Nelson Mandela

South African President Jacob Zuma says Nelson Mandela is “very serious but stabilised” in hospital and that “all are praying” for his recovery.

Mr Zuma said the doctors were doing a “very good job”, adding that the former president was a “good fighter”.

The 94-year-old is spending his fifth night in a Pretoria hospital suffering from a recurrent lung infection.

Relatives, including his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, visited the ailing former leader on Tuesday.

Libya seeks to recover Gaddafi assets in S. Africa

Libya is seeking to recover more than $1 billion in assets allegedly stashed in South Africa by former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, a local newspaper reports.

The paper said on Sunday that the South African government has been called upon to assist Tripoli in repatriating diamonds, gold and cash.
Repots said that Libyan investigators had provided the South African treasury with evidence that four local banks and two security companies have held the assets.

US offers rewards for capture of African militants

The US is offering rewards for the first time for information on Islamist militants in North and West Africa.

The highest reward of up to $7m (£4.6m) is for information leading to the location of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, the state department said.
Smaller rewards are offered for leading figures in Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao).

Ghana ex-airport official Adelaquaye faces US drug charges

The ex-security chief at Ghana's international airport has been charged in the US with conspiring to smuggle Afghan heroin to New York.

Solomon Adelaquaye was arrested with two Nigerians and a Colombian in May following a joint US-Ghanaian investigation, officials said.
West Africa is a major hub for drugs smuggled from Latin America and Asia to Europe and the US.
The men have not yet commented on the allegations.
"Drug trafficking in West Africa has become a plague," said US

Africa’s development hinges on food security – UN agencies

Three United Nations bodies have called on the global community to place food security and nutrition at the centre of Africa’s development Agenda.
The three Rome-based United Nations agencies; the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development, (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said supporting smallholder farmers in Africa is a panacea to improving global food security and empowering rural women.
According to the three bodies addressing gender inequalities

Kenyan MPs vote to increase their pay despite protests

Kenyan MPs have voted to raise their salaries in defiance of proposals to cut pay.

The vote suggests a monthly salary of about $10,000 (£6,540). The average annual salary in Kenya is about $1,700.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had asked the MPs to accept the pay cuts in order to free up funds for the creation of jobs.

World Bank, WWF to intensify collaboration in Africa’s extractive industries

The World Bank World and the Wildlife Fund (WWF) have signed a memorandum of understanding to intensify collaboration in Africa’s extractive industries, and jointly support more sustainable extractive industry practices that provide benefits to local communities and protect the environment.
The MOU commits the two institutions to share knowledge and expertise relating to the extractives sector in Africa, utilize and leverage existing resources, collaborate on research and dissemination of good practices, provide policy guidance, boost collaboration with other entities, and jointly host seminars,

Up to $1.4 trillion siphoned out of Africa in 30 years – Report

The African continent suffered an economic loss of between $597 billion and $1.4 trillion in a 30-year period from 1980 to 2009 in net resource transfers through licit and illicit ways, according to a new report published May 29, 2013.
“Between 1980 and 2009, the economies of Africa lost between $597 billion and $1.4 trillion in net resource transfers away from the continent,” said the report titled “Illicit Financial Flows and the Problem of Net Resource Transfers from Africa: 1980-2009″.

Ghana must improve human rights record – Amnesty International

Amnesty International has called on government to institute measures to guarantee continuous improvement in its human rights record.
It said, although Ghana’s human rights situation was improving steadily compared to most countries in Africa there was still much to be done.
Mr Lawrence Amesu, Director of Amnesty International Ghana, made the call in a presentation on the launch of the 2013 report in Accra on Thursday.

Niger suicide bombers target Areva mine and barracks

Suicide bombers have struck a military camp and a French-run uranium mine in two towns in north-west Niger.

A bomb at a barracks in Agadez killed at least 19, including 18 soldiers, officials told the BBC. Four attackers died and a fifth is holding four army officers hostage.
The attack on the Somair mine, in the town of Arlit, killed one person and injured 14, its operator Areva said.

Drummer Lee, 25, ‘butchered in street by Muslim fanatics’ in London

The soldier killed in an attack on a London street has been named as Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Drummer Rigby, 25, from Manchester, leaves behind a two-year-old son.
Two men are under arrest in hospital after police shot them near Woolwich Barracks on Wednesday afternoon, in the aftermath of the attack.
The suspects, believed to include Michael Adebolajo, were known to security services, sources have said.
The victim’s name was announced by the Ministry of Defence pending formal police identification.

World Bank pledges $1bn for DR Congo and neighbours

The World Bank has unveiled a $1bn (£660m) aid package to help the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbours, as fighting continues near the eastern city of Goma.

The money is to be used for health, education, cross-border trade and hydroelectricity projects, it said.
The announcement comes as World Bank head Jim Yong Kim and UN chief Ban Ki-moon start a tour of the region.

Ghana's Derek Boateng ‘completes Fulham deal’

Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng has announced he has completed his move to English Premier League side Fulham from Ukrainian club Dnipro.
The 30-year-old wrote on his Twitter account:  “I have signed a two-year deal with Fulham FC! I’m happy to see this deal confirmed!
“Thanks God, my family and everyone who support me!”

Nigeria to free ‘terror’ women

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the release of all women held in connection with “terrorist activity”, the defence ministry says.
The decision was aimed at enhancing peace efforts in Nigeria, it added.
The army is conducting an offensive in three states, where an emergency was declared last week to fight the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
The group had set the release of women and children as a condition for talks with the government.
More than 2,000 people have died in the conflict in Nigeria since Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009 to create an Islamic state.

Obama to tour Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania in June

US President Barack Obama will visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania in June, the White House has said.

Mr Obama is expected to meet lawmakers as well as business and civil society leaders and youth on his trip.
The 26 June – 3 July visit will be Mr Obama’s second to sub-Saharan Africa as president. He spent less than a day in Ghana in 2009.
Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush both visited Africa during their second terms in office.

South Africa legend Nelson Mandela sued by daughters

Nelson Mandela’s daughters Makaziwe and Zenani Mandela are suing their father for the rights of his artworks and control of his millions.
They intend to fight an April 2004 Johannesburg High Court order which gave Mandela the right to instruct his then lawyer, Ismail Ayob, to stop managing his financial, personal and legal affairs.
The sisters are now being represented by Ayob.

This was revealed in the Johannesburg High Court last week by Mandela’s lawyer, Bally Chuene, in his answering affidavit to a lawsuit filed against him by Makaziwe and Zenani.
“Makaziwe and Zenani have sought leave to file answering affidavits in the interdict application (Mandela’s 2004 application) on the basis that they are the sole authorised representatives of Harmonieux, Magnifique and Tinancier Investments and Holdings (Pty) Ltd (also wholly owned by the Mandela Trust),” Chuene said in papers filed on Wednesday.
Last month, the sisters filed papers in the High Court asking for an order instructing Chuene, advocate

Historic joint visit to Africa’s Great Lake region

Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the President of the World Bank Group and Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General will from May 22-24 make a historic joint visit to Africa’s Great Lakes region. This is in support of a recent landmark peace agreement and to push for economic development in one of the world’s most troubled regions. A press release issued May 20, 2013 has said.
“The trip also follows a groundbreaking agreement — the “Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region” – that was signed in February by 11 African nations to