Africa

Welder Zandile Dlamini says she is proud to work in an industry dominated by men.

Many of the hopes Nigerians had at independence have been dashed, writes Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani.

Six out of 10 young people in the world are failing to reach basic levels of proficiency in learning, warns the United Nations.

Joseph Warungu reflects on how the Bible has taken centre stage in the battle for the Kenyan an presidency.

Blankets from Lesotho are at the centre of controversy in the fashion world, as BBC Africa's Mayeni Jones reports.

Nigeria's police chief Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate removal of all police roadblocks.

Chad helps fight Boko Haram militants, while Sudan is on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Mohamed lost count of how many people he had killed when a commander's wife persuaded him to escape.

Violent clashes between government and rebel forces has led to huge civilian displacement.

Angola has publicly funded healthcare with state-of-the-art clinics. So why are some hospitals running out of drugs? The BBC's Mayeni Jones investigates.

Meeting the Kenyans affected by the illness.

Helping communities feed themselves during political and environmental instability.

One month ago, a mudslide devastated parts of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Ghanaian journalist Elizabeth Ohene reflects on how London has changed and how it compares to Accra.

They "saved" Nigeria from the brink of an Ebola epidemic in 2014, so why are these doctors still waiting to be paid?

The United Nations Security Council today extended its authorization of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 31 May 2018, approving a reduction of its uniformed personnel to a maximum 21,626 by 31 December 2017, with an eye towards the gradual handover over of responsibilities to Somali security forces.

Skilled health personnel are desperately needed in north-eastern Nigeria, the United Nations population agency today said, after training hundreds of health providers in Borno State on the basics of reproductive health needs.

The head of the United Nations agriculture agency today called for greater funding for a sustainable response to the refugee crisis in Uganda, as he concluded a visit to the country&#39s north hosting those crossing the border for safety.

August 29, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Tuesday granted a pardon to the prominent human rights defender Mudawi Ibrahim Adam who was charged with six offences, some of which are punishable by death.

Mudawi Ibrahim

In a presidential decree released by the official news agency SUNA, al-Bashir ordered to free Mudawi Ibrahim and five other people indicted with him and to "put this decision into effect from the date of its signature on Tuesday.

Last June, Sudan's state security prosecutor office charged him with six offences under the 1991 Penal Code, including espionage and intelligence activities in favour of foreign embassies, undermining the constitutional system and waging war against the state all of these charges carry either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

However, on 16 August, the court postponed Adam's trial for the third time due to the absence of one of the five accused who fled to Egypt.

His espouse Sabah Adam expressed her happiness for the release of her husband and regretted his "unjust detention for 9 months without a crime" as she said when reached by Sudan Tribune.

She further said they expect his release on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, but Sudan Tribune can confirm he was released late on Tuesday.

For his part, his lawyer Nabil Adib stressed that "the presidential decree dropped all the charges against his client".

Ada, an engineering professor and Chair of the non-governmental organisation Sudan Social Development Organisation (SUDO) was arrested on 7 December 2016 by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 29, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) – An “influential” opposition figure from the opposition faction of Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former Vice President, Riek Machar on Tuesday officially declared that he has switched his loyalty to first Vice President Taban Deng Gai-led SPLM-IO faction.

South Sudan first vice president Taban Deng Gai arrives in Bor May 9, 2017 (ST)

Major Tut Rom, commissioner of Jotome County in Maiwut state defected along with 15 officers.

In a statement Sudan Tribune received today from the Taban-led SPLM-IO coordination office here in Addis Ababa, Rom said he accepts the August 2015 peace agreement and national dialogue declared by South Sudan president, Salva Kiir.

In August 2015, the two SPLM warring factions signed peace agreement brokered by the regional bloc Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Despite uncertainties, the peace agreement was then welcomed by regional powers and international peace partners as a major achievement to arrest the bloody war in the world's newest nation.

“As commissioner of Jotome County, I totally fed up for the wrong leadership of Riek Machar since Riek is struggling to fail the people of South Sudan instead of helping them,” Rom said.

He called on those who remain in the bushes particularly the supporters of Riek to put down their guns and join Taban Deng faction to support the compromised peace agreement and national dialogue to resolve the internal crises.

He said the group decided to switch allegiance and loyalty to Taban Deng led SPLM faction after careful deliberation.

The commissioner thanked the community in Jotome County for listening to his advice for them not to participate in the “senseless” war.

The defectors are currently in Pagak county with the SPLM army.

South Sudan erupted into civil war in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy and current rebel leader, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup, an accusation the latter denies.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands and forced over 2.6 million people to displace from their home.

It has also left an estimated 4.8 million (approximately 40% of the population) to face severe food insecurity.

(ST)