Africa News Headlines - Yahoo! News

Tuareg rebels, Islamists unite to control north Mali

Sat, 26 May 2012 19:39:22 -0400

Tuareg rebels and the Islamist rebel group Ansar Dine agreed Saturday to join forces and create a transitional Islamic state in northern Mali, according to a accord seen by AFP.

Rebel groups merge in Mali, agree on Islamic state

Sat, 26 May 2012 17:55:06 -0400

The two rebel groups that seized control of the northern half of Mali announced Saturday that they have agreed to fuse their movements and work together to create an independent Islamic state on the territory they occupy, a signatory to the agreement said.

Islamists, ex-PM reach out to rivals after Egypt vote

Sat, 26 May 2012 16:12:42 -0400

The apparent winners of the first round of Egypt's landmark presidential vote reached out to rival candidates on Saturday ahead of a June run-off, as international monitors called the initial voting process "encouraging."

Former G.Bissau army chief, minister flee

Sat, 26 May 2012 15:53:28 -0400

Former Guinea-Bissau armed forces chief Jose Zamora Induta has fled to a neighbouring country following the coup in his troubled country last month, officials said on Saturday.

Sharks back in Super 15 contention

Sat, 26 May 2012 15:47:33 -0400

Coastal Sharks played themselves back into contention for Super 15 southern hemisphere honours when they beat Western Stormers 25-20 at Kings Park Saturday.

Thousands protest in Burkina Faso against price hike

Sat, 26 May 2012 14:11:30 -0400

Several thousand people protested across the poor west African country of Burkina Faso on Saturday to denounce a steep spike in the prices of basic food items and petrol.

Islamists disrupt Algeria parliament opening

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:48:26 -0400

Dozens of opposition lawmakers walked out of the first session of Algeria's new parliament Saturday, condemning alleged fraud in this month's elections.

Gunmen kill cleric, retired prison guard in Nigeria

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:22:04 -0400

Gunmen killed a Muslim cleric and a retired prison guard on Saturday in northeastern Nigeria, residents and a medic said, amid a wave of such killings blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram.

Mali's PM holds talks with ECOWAS chief

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:18:23 -0400

The prime minister of Mali's transition government arrived in Abidjan Saturday for talks with West African bloc head Alassane Ouattara, the president of Ivory Coast, on the Malian crisis.

Furious Els slams Wentworth officials in greens rant

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:06:01 -0400

Ernie Els launched a foul-mouthed rant at PGA Championship officials on Saturday as the South African fumed about the condition of the Wentworth course he helped re-design.

US reporter detained in Ethiopia freed: broadcaster

Sat, 26 May 2012 10:59:29 -0400

A Voice of America (VOA) reporter and a translator detained while covering a protest in the Ethiopian capital were released from jail on Saturday, VOA said.

Hunger returns to Africa, stalking 1M children

Sat, 26 May 2012 11:03:37 -0400

It's 10 a.m., and the 2-year-old is still waiting for breakfast. Aliou Seyni Diallo collapses to his knees in tears and plops his forehead down on the dirt outside his family's hut.

Lesotho votes in tight three-way race

Fri, 25 May 2012 20:36:12 -0400

Lesotho's one million voters went to the polls Saturday in a tight general election where bitter personal rivalries among the three main party leaders have overshadowed worries about jobs and poverty.

Former star Neeskens seeks first trophy as coach

Sat, 26 May 2012 04:00:20 -0400

Former Netherlands midfield star Johan Neeskens hopes to step out from the shadows Saturday and claim his first title as a coach.

Ex-Senegalese president denies he stole cars, art

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:36:34 -0400

The ex-president of Senegal won praise from around the world earlier this year when he gracefully conceded defeat, even picking up the phone to congratulate his longtime rival, a move that momentarily erased the memories of a violent election season.

Egypt vote narrows to Islamist, Mubarak holdover

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:55:33 -0400

The Muslim Brotherhood on Friday urged Egyptians to rally behind their presidential candidate in an almost certain run-off with rival Ahmed Shafiq, warning the country would be in danger if fallen dictator Hosni Mubarak's premier won.

VOA correspondent reported detained in Ethiopia

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:41:10 -0400

Voice of America says it is investigating reports that a correspondent in Ethiopia's capital has been detained by authorities.

African leaders seek ways to woo diaspora

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:55:55 -0400

African leaders met in South Africa on Friday to discuss ways of drawing in the diaspora to help advance the world's poorest continent.

Pistorius crumbles at Ostrava

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:53:30 -0400

Double amputee Oscar Pistorius endured a shocking start to his ongoing battle to nail qualification for the able-bodied London Olympics here on Friday.

Mauritania police break up anti-regime protest with teargas

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:50:57 -0400

Mauritanian police fired teargas to break up a fresh opposition protest Friday calling for President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to step down, leaving many injured and at least five under arrest.

Call for peace on eve of Lesotho vote

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:53:57 -0400

African observers Friday called for peace on the eve of Lesotho's hotly contested general elections, while praising the tiny country for a campaign period free of major violence.

Battle on home turf of Sudan rebel chief

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:45:55 -0400

Sudanese government troops have clashed with rebels on the home turf of insurgent leader Malik Agar, both sides said on Friday.

Islamists flee as AU, Somali troops seize rebel stronghold

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:21:51 -0400

African Union and Somali troops have captured the strategic town of Afgoye from Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents without major resistance, declaring a military breakthrough, officials said Friday.

UN rights chief pushes West to halt Zimbabwe sanctions

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:51:21 -0400

UN rights chief Navi Pillay on Friday urged the West to suspend sanctions against Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe and his close aides to give the country a chance to implement much needed reforms.

Teen killed in S.Sudan; antigun campaign continues

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:20:50 -0400

Leaders of a minority community said South Sudan troops shot and killed a teenager on Friday while he was fishing, linking the death to the military's disarmament campaign in a conflict-torn state.