Africa News

MALABO (Reuters) - Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema is set to secure a new seven-year mandate to rule the oil-producing central African nation on Sunday in a poll widely dismissed by critics as lacking credibility. Full Story »

NAIROBI, Kenya - The mistaken belief that albino body parts have magical powers has driven thousands of Africa's albinos into hiding, fearful of losing their lives and limbs to unscrupulous dealers who can make up to $75,000 selling a complete dismembered set. Full Story »

DUBLIN (AFP) - Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland ended their year on a suitably high note here on Saturday with a commendable 15-10 victory over world and Tri-Nations champions South Africa for their third successive home win over the visitors. Full Story »

KIGALI (AFP) - A former presidential financial director in Rwanda was fined 1.8 million dollars and jailed for four years for illegal enrichment as Kigali cracks down on corruption, state radio said Saturday. Full Story »

MOGADISHU (AFP) - Al-Qaeda and Islamists fighting to topple Somalia's government provide "mutual support" to each other, the head of the African Union peacekeeping force here told AFP in an interview. Full Story »

KINSHASA (Reuters) - At least 73 people were killed and others missing after a logging boat sank in a lake in western Democratic Republic of Congo, a Red Cross official said on Saturday. Full Story »

KHARTOUM (AFP) - A Sudanese Christian teenager has been lashed 50 times for wearing what a judge considered an "indecent" knee-length skirt, her lawyer said on Saturday. Full Story »

LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia Saturday denied reports that it had failed to help Rwandan authorities find and arrest 1994 genocide suspects believed to be living in Zambia. Full Story »

BANGUI (AFP) - The army in the Central African Republic has retaken control of the key north central town of Ndele from rebels, a source in the high command said on Saturday. Full Story »

HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe's central bank governor said the country will not put the local dollar back into circulation anytime soon as the economy must first achieve growth rates of at least seven percent, a state daily reported on Saturday. Full Story »

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - France play New Zealand here on Saturday with a fantastic chance to claim a second antipodean scalp after having already seen off world and Tri-Nations champions South Africa. Full Story »

WINDHOEK (AFP) - Namibia, one of the last African nations to win independence, voted Friday in elections expected to return the long-ruling SWAPO to power despite a tough challenge from a new breakaway party. Full Story »

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AFP) - AB de Villiers hit a dazzling century as South Africa swept to a series-levelling 112-run win in the third one-day international against England at Newlands on Friday. Full Story »

HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe and South Africa signed a bilateral investment agreement on Friday which would protect investments made by nationals of both countries in each other's territory. Full Story »

HARARE (AFP) - The treason trial of Roy Bennett, a top aide to Zimbabwe's prime minister, was deferred Friday to January next year after a key state witness failed to show up in court to testify. Full Story »

ABUJA (AFP) - Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, undergoing treatment for a heart condition in Saudi Arabia, is doing fine, his deputy said on Friday. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sudan may be unable to hold credible elections in coming months because the ruling party and opposition cannot agree on ground rules for the polls, the U.S. State Department said on Friday. Full Story »

JOHANNESBURG - Equatorial Guinea — a violent land of coups, petrodollar wealth and killer poverty — is holding a presidential election Sunday that its leader of 30 years says he will win by more than the 97 percent garnered in the last widely criticized vote. Full Story »