Africa

Pick your winner from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure.

BBC Sport profiles Gabon and Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a nominee for the 2016 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

BBC Sport profiles Ghana and West Ham forward Andre Ayew, a nominee for the 2016 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

BBC Sport profiles Algeria and Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez, a nominee for the 2016 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

A comprehensive history of the BBC's African Footballer of the Year trophy, an award which dates back to the inaugural winner - Abedi Pele - in 1992.

Footballer Michael Essien speaks to the BBC ahead of the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016 award show.

Did President-elect Donald Trump really call Africans "lazy fools"? The BBC's Dickens Olewe looks at six comments he allegedly made about Africa which are doing the rounds on the internet.

In recognition of Lesotho's contribution during World War Two, the Spitfire Heritage Trust has gifted a full-sized replica Spitfire plane to the southern African kingdom.

After months of drought, the South African city of Johannesburg has been hit by floods this week. Several people have been killed, including a three-year-old girl.

How the spread of bird flu in West Africa is crippling Cameroon's poultry industry.

Zimbabwe court drops charges against a professional hunter accused of helping kill Cecil the lion.

A selection of the best photos from across Africa this week.

November 10, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Minni Minnawi, the leader of a Sudan Liberation Movement faction (SLM-MM) Thursday congratulated the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for winning the presidential race, and called him to "put into an end the ongoing genocide" in Darfur.

One of Trump's foreign policy advisers Walid Phares said the future president would support Sudanese in the marginalized areas and would work to implement the decisions of the International Criminal Court against President Omer al-Bashir.

"On behalf of the Sudan Liberation Movement /Army (SLM/A) would like to seize this opportunity to extend to you my sincere congratulations for being elected as president of the United States of America (USA);" said Minnawi in a congratulation message seen by Sudan Tribune.

He further reminded Trump that he is the president-elect of a country that always stood in support of our legitimate cause, pointing that people of Darfur continue to be "subjected to genocide and ethnic cleansing by their own government on racial basis" for more than a decade.

Darfurians "are anxiously waiting to see your administration to swiftly move and put into an end the ongoing genocide," he said.

Also he called on Trump to implement "promises made by the previous U.S. administrations" of former George Bush and the outgoing Barak Obama to rescue Darfur people from the "genocidal regime".

Sudanese armed groups are frustrated by the dialogue engaged by the administration of President Obama with the Sudanese government and several times regretted the "belle epoque" of Bush administration.

Obama's Special Envoy Donald Booth worked hard during this year to bring the armed groups to the negotiating table with the government in a process brokered by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) led by President Thabo Mbeki.

Talks on Darfur conflict however are stalled as the armed groups want to open the framework agreement of thr Doha Document for Peace in Darfur but the government rejects their demand.

(ST)

November 10, 2016 (El GENEINA) - Darfur Crimes Court in the capital of West Darfur State on Thursday has sentenced a police officer to 20 years in prison and fined him for rapping a young girl in an El-Geneina neighbourhood.

Nyala courthouse (ST photo)

According to a news bulletin released by the Office of Darfur Special Prosecutor in El Fasher and seen by Sudan Tribune, the sentence was issued in accordance with the article 45/B of the Child Act, 2010.

Therefore, the police officer was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of rape, and was fined 5000 SGD and in the case of non-payment he would be jailed for additional six months.

The judge of Darfur Crimes Court in El Geneina, Adam Oshar, has submitted the sentence to the Supreme Court for ratification.

The convicted police officer was arrested for rapping a young girl in Al-Jebel neighbourhood on the first day of last September.

The trial lasted for four sessions and the life sentence was passed after he admitted to his guilt.

Darfur Crimes Court was established in 2005 after the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided to investigate the war crimes committed in Darfur.

However, Sudan refused to cooperate with the ICC, saying that local courts are able to examine the crimes committed since the eruption of Darfur conflict in 2003.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in Darfur conflict since 2003 and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)

November 10, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, saying he hopes the new administration can advance "respectful bilateral political and diplomatic relations."

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives the thumbs up (AFP Photo)

President Kiir, whose congratulatory message to Trump was broadcast by the official South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation TV on Wednesday as a lead broadcast expressed hopes that a new chapter between the two countries will see “respect for non-intervention in internal affairs."

The head of state did not say anything about the conflict which the leader of armed opposition, Riek Machar, appealed the attention of the new U.S. administration, saying he hopes it would play a role in ending the conflict in the country.

“I hope the coming into power of Donald Trump in America through elections, albeit of how he was polarized would tell Riek Machar and his supporters that the only way to get to power must always be through elections,” said Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny.

Machar in his congratulation message to Trump accused President Salva Kiir of pursuing a war agenda, and committing genocide in December 2013.

Kiir who was under huge pressure by Obama administration, called Trump last March to express his support and described him as the right candidate deserving support to win the race.

(ST)

November 10, 2016 (JUBA) – The United States Ambassador to South Sudan, Mary Catherine (Molly) Phee, said Washington policy for South Sudan is supported by both Republican and Democrat parties.

U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Mary Catherine (Molly) Phee (courtesy photo)

In an interview with the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) TV on Wednesday evening, U.S envoy in Juba said the election of Republican Donald Trump will not usher in a new agenda for South Sudan.

“I don't think you should expect any immediate changes towards South Sudan, and in fact, there is sometimes a misunderstanding in South Sudan about the policies of different U.S. administrations,” said Phee.

“We say in the United States that policies which enjoy support from both Democratic and Republican parties are bipartisan. For decades there has been bipartisan support for the people of South Sudan, and I don't have any anticipation that it will change,” she stressed.

President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President and chairman of the armed SPLM Riek Machar congratulated U.S. President-elect Trump. The rival parties are hoping to benefit from a new position of the American administration on the three-year conflict.

In the ten minutes interview, Ambassador Phee said the strength of American democracy is the acceptance of results by all parties and putting the nation's interest first. She said women like defeated Democratic Presidential nominee have realized their dreams in America.

"Women like myself have leadership positions in the United States, and they will continue to have leadership positions. As Hillary Clinton said, you have to knock on the glass ceiling, and I am sure there will be other women who will come forward to knock on the glass ceiling,” she said.

(ST)

When I met 15-year-old “Meti” (not her real name), she felt her dream of becoming a nurse was over. In February, Meti and her classmates joined a protest in East Hararghe, in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, against the government’s displacement of farmers around Addis Ababa, security force abuses, and the repression of opposition voices. When security forces started shooting, she and her classmates ran; she turned to see her brother shot dead. Later that night, security forces arrested her father and two of her brothers. Then school officials informed her they were suspending her from school for her participation in the protest.

Now she is trying to leave Ethiopia for South Africa. “I have no future,” she told me. “The government will not hear our voices. They will keep killing and arresting until we stop our protest.”

This week marks one year since protests in Ethiopia began and, sadly, Meti’s words have come true.

Expand

Demonstrators chant slogans while flashing the Oromo protest gesture during Irreecha, the thanksgiving festival of the Oromo people, in Bishoftu town, Oromia region, Ethiopia, October 2, 2016.

© 2016 Reuters

Security forces have killed hundreds, detained tens of thousands, and shattered the lives of countless families over the last year. Protester anger boiled over following October’s Irreecha cultural festival, when security forces’ mishandling of the massive crowd caused a stampede, resulting in many deaths. In response, angry mobs destroyed private and government property, particularly in the Oromia region. On October 9, the government announced a country-wide state of emergency, signaling an increase in the militarized response to protesters’ demands for reform. So far, the announced measures appear to codify many of the security forces’ abuses thus far, including arbitrary detention. 

The government’s blocking of mobile internet, restrictions on social media, and bans on communication with foreign groups mean little information has gotten out since October 9. Government limitations on free expression and access to information undermine the potential for the inclusive political dialogue needed to understand protesters’ grievances, let alone address them.

Ethiopia’s government has shown little willingness to engage in meaningful reforms over the last year, choosing brutal force over discussion. It’s clear this approach hasn’t worked – as the brutality of security forces increased, so too has the intensity of protests and the calls for reform. Moderate voices have been jailed, and outlets for peaceful expression of grievances shuttered.

The government says it is responding to the needs of the people, and has removed key regional government officials from their posts, shuffled cabinet positions, and stated a commitment to proportional representation. But these changes fall dramatically short of the protesters’ demands for reform. Meti and all Ethiopians have a right to criticize government policies without fear of reprisals, but justice and accountability for people like Meti’s family aren’t even talking points on the agenda yet.

The Ethiopian government and its international allies should refocus attention on the need for justice, accountability, and meaningful reform – or next year’s anniversary will be even less hopeful.

In response to the worsening political crisis and human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations Security Council will be making a rare visit there later this week. The Council members are due to visit the capital, Kinshasa, and the eastern town of Beni.  They will also visit Luanda, capital of neighboring Angola, an important actor in efforts to address the political impasse in Congo. Less than six weeks before the December 19 deadline for when President Joseph Kabila is due to step down at the end of his constitutionally mandated two-term limit, the visit offers a last-minute opportunity for the international community to help prevent further bloodshed and open political space to allow for a peaceful transition of power. 

Human Rights Watch sent the following letter to Security Council delegations in advance of their visit, with our main recommendations: https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/11/09/hrw-letter-un-security-council-visit-dr-congo

November 9, 2016 (JUBA) –The South Sudanese rebels Wednesday said they killed more than 21 government soldiers who attempted to recapture their position in northern Upper Nile region.

Rebel fighters walk in front of a bushfire in a rebel-controlled territory in Upper Nile State, South Sudan February 13, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

“We were attacked this morning by enemy forces around 7:30 am at Zaket, just 15 kilometres away from Wadekona town, but we repulsed back the attackers to the town,” SPLM-IO Spokesperson Paul Malieth told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

The rebel official said they have captured three soldiers alive and destroyed two armoured vehicles as they battle around Zaket.

He said they also captured in good condition 18 AK47, 6 PKM and two Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG 7) as well as ammunitions when they were pushing SPLA forces toward Wadekona.

In a separate phone interview rebel commander Brigadier Gen. James Gatluok Nhial confirmed to Sudan Tribune the clashes between SPLA-IO and government forces in the area.

He said five rebel fighters were wounded in the attacks, adding that no fatalities were reported on their side.

Nhial further pointed an accusing finger to the soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir saying they started the fighting in the northern part of Upper Nile State.

He said their forces repulsed the attackers and advance toward Wadekona at the western bank of the Nile, and one of the most disputed areas between the two warring groups during the last two year of the conflict.

Recently, a report of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) which is tasked with the monitoring of the situation in South Sudan has mentioned that government troops violated the ceasefire and attacked SPLA-IO controlled areas.

The JMEC in its report of October said the SPLA soldiers attacked the rebel forces in Leer and Gezera of Rubkotna County.

(ST)

November 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) announced on Tuesday they have initiated an intensive campaign, with the support of many groups, to pressure the authorities to free the detained doctors.

On 6 October, Sudanese doctors staged a strike and refused non-emergency treatments to patients to protest the poor working conditions, lack of medicines and protection of doctors after increasing attacks by frustrated patients and their families.

“We have set up an account via Twitter to launch a campaign with the support of Sudanese and international human rights activists and journalists to demand the release of detained doctors." CCSD said in a press release.

They pointed that 11 doctors from CCSD and subcommittees have been detained by National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) since nine days.

According to the statement seen by Sudan Tribune, the detainees are: Hassan Karrar, Omer Ahmed Saleh, Hosam al-Amin, Mohammed Abdel Latif, Mohamed Mujtaba, Abdallah Qureshi, Jihad Abdel Moneim, Ahmed al-Abwaba, Mohamed Hilali, Seid Ganat and Ahmed Sheikh."

The committee disclosed that NISS summoned on Tuesday other doctors and interrogated them “the number of doctors who have been summoned by NISS repeatedly reached 57,” it said.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International urged the Sudanese government to release ten doctors recently arrested and to halt security summons to the striking members of CCSD.

“The detained doctors are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. The ten were part of a group of 29 doctors arrested then released without charge on 29 October,” Amnesty stressed.

However, the CCSD last Tuesday announced resumption of a two-day strike every week during November, saying the government didn't honour its commitments.

On 13 October, the CCED called off the strike following government pledges to introduce a bill to the parliament to protect doctors, improve training conditions for registrars and improve work environment in hospitals.

(ST)