Africa: Obama Reverses U.S. Ban on Abortion-Linked Aid

The decision by United States President Barack Obama to overturn the Bush administration's ban on funding assistance programs which provide abortions or abortion counselling -… Read more »

South Africa: New Party Gears Up For Polls

The formation of a new political party in South Africa, the Congress of the People (COPE), has introduced a fluidity to the country's politics not seen since liberation 15 years… Read more »

Central Africa: Rwanda Arrests DRC Rebel Nkunda

Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda was arrested in Rwanda late Thursday night, Rwandan and Congolese authorities announced on Friday. Read more »

Africa: Obama Inauguration Sparks Celebrations in Washington

Spurred by Barack Obama's African heritage, his Inauguration this week as the 44th U.S. president was marked by a number of Africa-related events in the Washington, DC area. Read more »

Africa: Obama Pledges to 'Extend a Hand' to Other Nations

President Barack Obama has pledged the support of the United States to corrupt and dictatorial leaders willing to change their ways and "unclench their fists" and to the world's… Read more »

Africa: Live Blogging Barack Obama's Inauguration

4:04: President Barak Obama and and first lady Michelle have gotten out of the limousine during the parade in front of the Navy Memorial to begin the traditional walk. Read more »

Africa: Continent's Eyes Turn to Washington

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Somalia: Piracy Grows to Record Levels

Hijackings off the Somali coast have pushed piracy to its highest levels since an international agency began keeping statistics in 1991. Read more »

Africa: Leaders Must Rethink 'African Solutions for African Problems'

For more than a decade now, Africa has been trying to address its developmental and political problems through an approach favouring home-grown initiatives. Read more »

Zimbabwe: Appoint Neutral Interim Govt, Urges Ex-Clinton Aide

Zimbabwe’s Parliament, its only legitimately-elected body, should take the lead in resolving the country’s crisis by legislating for a non-partisan transitional… Read more »

Africa: Freedom Declined in 2008, Says Rights Group

Freedom House, the Washington-based independent non-governmental watchdog, has described 2008 as a year of "regression" for sub-Saharan Africa in its annual report on political… Read more »

South Africa: Top Court Sparks Upset Over Zuma, Mbeki

South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal has opened the way for prosecutors to reinstitute corruption charges against Jacob Zuma, the man selected by the ruling African National… Read more »

Ghana: World's Press Celebrates Election

The world's press is celebrating Ghana's peaceful transfer of power after an extremely close run-off election. Opposition candidate John Atta Mills defeated the ruling party's Nana… Read more »

Sudan: Country in Danger of Splitting, Warns Report

Southern Sudan might break away from the north if the "troubled relationship" between Sudan's dominant centre and regions on its periphery are not resolved, a new report has… Read more »

Somalia: Piracy Surges Again

There has been a new upsurge of piracy off Somalia, reports an agency associated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato). Read more »

Somalia: Multinational Force to Combat Pirates

The United States Navy has announced the formation of an international force to provide security in the dangerous shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast. Read more »

Sudan: Pluses and Minuses of War Crimes Charges

Attempts to charge Sudan's leaders with war crimes in Darfur have dramatically changed the country's political scene, says a new report by the British think tank Chatham House. Read more »

Guinea: Liberia Calls for Return to Democracy

Although the Liberian government believes there should be "constructive engagements" with the authors of Guinea's recent military coup, it does not back the new regime, says… Read more »

Somalia: 'Everything Is Not Alright'

AllAfrica's new feature, "Africa from Abroad" highlights important articles about the continent appearing in non-African media outlets. Our first entry highlights an extensive… Read more »

Zimbabwe: Rights Group Names And Shames Judges, Lawyers

Human rights lawyers in Harare have issued a blow-by-blow account detailing how the actions - and inaction - of named Zimbabwean judges, magistrates and state lawyers have… Read more »

Sudan: Bush Approves Darfur Air Lift

United States President George W. Bush on Monday authorized an immediate airlift of equipment and supplies to the international peacekeeping force in the troubled Darfur region of… Read more »

Ghana: Atta Mills Wins Presidency in Change of Power

Opposition presidential challenger John Atta Mills has won Ghana's presidency at his third attempt, returning the National Democratic Congress (NDC) founded by former President… Read more »

Guinea: Hopes for Reform Dashed Again

Guinea’s political elite has once more been rendered powerless by an army whose leaders owe their survival to a political system built upon confusion and fear. Read more »

South Africa: Flags Lowered For Anti-Apartheid Legislator

South Africa's President Kgalema Motlanthe has announced that the national flag will be flown at half-mast on Sunday to celebrate the life of Helen Suzman, an old opponent of the… Read more »

Ghana: Voting Begins in Key Area Despite Boycott

Voters in the rural Tain constituency of western central Ghana were trickling into polling stations Friday in an election that could decide who becomes the country's next… Read more »