Rwanda President Kagame "I will run for a third term in 2017"

Rwandan President Paul Kagame. 

"You have asked me to lead the country after 2017. Given the importance you ascribe to this matter, I can only accept," he said in a televised New Year address.
"You clearly expressed your choices for the future of our country. The process allowed us the time to make certain that the proposed changes had merit and wisdom," said Kagame, who described national unity as "unshakably strong."

Photos: Locals in Swaziland Use Personal Experience to Raise HIV Awareness

An MSF counselor teaches women about HIV testing and treatment. 

 

It’s still early, but the sun burns as if it were noon. In the sky, there is not a single cloud to soften the strong rays. Dry trees with few leaves scatter the ground, creating scarce shadows where dogs and goats are resting. On the horizon, the dry, yellow soil contrasts with the dark blue sky.

Women cook in large iron cauldrons marked by time while others hold buckets on their head filled with water collected from the nearest drinking-water hole. The men, from different homes, walk to the Kudla Inhloko—a circular plaza surrounded by tree branches.

What Is Behind the Oromo Rebellion in Ethiopia?

 
 Sima Amhamed holds the Ethiopian flag as she chants along with fellow protesters outside the Federal Building on West Broadway Wednesday afternoon as they denounce US support of the Ethiopian government. Dec. 23, 2015


The Ethiopian government is now faced with unprecedented rebellion from the Oromo ethnic group, consisting 35% of the Ethiopia's population, which it disingenuously claims is inspired by terrorism. The immediate pretext is the Addis Ababa Master Plan encroaching and displacing Oromo farmers, but this masks a deeper grievance which has been brewing for at least two decades under this regime, and for over a century under successive highland Ethiopian rulers. In the following, I will try to provide some context and offer some analysis of the danger Ethiopia and the region are facing.

Samia Nkrumah hopes to lead Ghana in 2016

 
 Samia Yaba Nkrumah, former CPP chair

Flagbearer aspirant of the Convention People’s Party, Samia Nkrumah is counting on her record in the CPP for victory in the party’s January 29 and 30 presidential primaries.

The party founded by her father opened nominations for the primaries on Monday 28th December, 2015

Several personalities including, 2012 flagbearer, Dr Abu Sakara and Lawyer, Dr Bright Akwetey are all expected to join what is expected to be a tight race to lead the party ahead of the 2016 elections.

Three reasons to smile if you live in South Africa today By Chandré Gould

 

In South Africa, the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign seldom provides reasons for optimism, let alone celebration. It has, instead, become a time to lament failures and point to the mountain of shattered lives that gender-based violence and violence against children contribute to our national landscape. Yet this year, there are several reasons to celebrate.

Telling South Sudan’s Tales in a Language Not Its Own By ISMA’IL KUSHKUSH

“I love the Arabic language. I am like writers who write in a language other than their own; I am no different" Stella Gaitano

 

WHEN dozens of people packed a hall in this capital city to celebrate the publication this year of the latest collection of short stories by Stella Gaitano, a South Sudanese commentator called her “our ambassador to the Arab world.” The audience included writers from Sudan, and when the book went on sale a few months later in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, the author received a glowing reception there as well.

Photos: Central African Republic waits for results after 'successful' elections

The Central African Republic (CAR) on Thursday began what could be a long wait for final results from the preceding day's presidential and parliamentary elections, which are being seen as key to resolving the country's bloody Muslim-Christian conflict

Burundi edges closer to civil war

REUTERS

A protester wears grass around his face to obscure his identity during a protest against President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to run for a third term, in Bujumbura, Burundi. 

 Burundi edged closer toward a civil war Thursday with the announcement of the launch of a new rebel group that aims to oust President Pierre Nkurunziza.

A former senior officer in Burundi’s army told The Associated Press that he and other army officers have formed a rebel movement known as the Republican Forces of Burundi to remove Nkurunziza from power.

Lebo M and Zoe Mthiyane engaged

The Voice and Spirit of The Lion King‚ legendary South African composer‚ producer and arranger Lebo M surprised by proposing to his partner Zoe Mthiyane in Cape Town on Saturday.

The well-known couple have been in Cape Town with family on holiday where Lebo M arranged an exclusive‚ top-secret proposal with no expense spared for his elegant fiancée.
While at sea‚ Lebo M‚ who is world-renowned for arranging and performing the music for The Lion King movies and stage productions‚ got down on one knee and popped the question to a surprised and emotional Zoe.

SA President Zuma "Let's work harder to make SA better for all in 2016"

President Jacob Zuma.

Wishing the country a happy and successful New Year, Zuma highlighted some of the achievements of 2015 as education, the increase in grant recipients, improving health care and the increase in life expectancy.
He thanked South Africans for their contribution in building the country.

Educate and save girls from abuse of forced marriage By Rhulani Siweya

The UN estimates that today over 40% of girls under the age of 15 get into involuntary marriages in Africa.
Last week, the African Union summit in Zambia highlighted the challenges faced by women and girls with a particular focus on child marriage. The marriage of girl children is informed by various social challenges and cultural and religious practices.
Many young girls are forced into marriage to escape poverty and this not only harms them psychologically but also physically.

Boko Haram keeps a million children out of school: UNICEF

A boy plays atop firewood before women and children rescued from Boko Haram in Sambisa forest by Nigeria Military arrive at the Internally displaced people's camp in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. File photo
Image by: REUTERS

 

 

Over 2,000 schools are closed across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, while hundreds of others have been attacked, looted, or set on fire by Boko Haram jihadists in their quest to create an independent Islamic state, said UNICEF.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has given his military commanders until the end of the month to end the Boko Haram insurgency, but even if victory is possible analysts say his government will have to contend with social turmoil stemming from a generation of children who have not gone to class.

Mass Killings and Allegations of Genocide Hit Burundi By Lizabeth Paulat

“Africa will NOT allow another Genocide to take place on its soil.” This was the communication from the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. However, even as members of the council met, extrajudicial killings were taking place in Burundi.
Photos, media reports and refugees tell harrowing tales of the political violence gripping the country. They speak of men being dragged out of their homes at night and killed on the street. Of neighbors and parents vanishing without a trace. It is a situation that calls for immediate and concerted international action. However, so far, according to sources, peacekeepers within the country have not been allowed to do their jobs.

Thomas Sankara : Burkina Faso 'issues warrant' for Former President Blaise Compaore

 

 Blaise Compaore

An arrest warrant has been issued for ousted Burkina Faso leader Blaise Compaore over his alleged role in the 1987 murder of ex-President Thomas Sankara, judicial sources say.

Mr Compaore's ally, Gen Gilbert Diendere, was recently charged in connection with the killing.
Both men have denied any wrongdoing. Mr Compaore is in exile in Ivory Coast after being forced to resign last year.
Mr Sankara, a left-wing radical, is considered a hero for many Africans.

Swann Galleries African-American Fine Art: Live Auction at www.invaluable.com

Auction!!!!!! Swaan Galleries African-American Fine Art live auction starts 2:30 PM EST on Tuesday December 15, 2015 live at www.invaluable.com featuring 150 lots of exclusive artworks. Invaluable has lots of fine art auctions, and is teaming up with Swann Auction Galleries to allow remote bidding online. The style of art in this auction includes City Scapes, Protrait and Abstract.

Here are a few noteworthy lots:

Lot 49: Norman Lewis (1909-1979), Untitled

Estimated Price: $250,000 - $350,000

Oil on linen canvas, circa 1958. 1295x1625 mm; 51x64 inches. Signed in oil, lower left. This masterful mid-century composition is a newly discovered and important example of Norman Lewis's painting. In 1955 Norman Lewis won the Carnegie International Award in Painting making him the first African-American artist to receive this prestigious prize. Then in 1956, Lewis was selected to represent the United States in American Artists Paint the City, an exhibition of 46 works by 36. Lewis joined fellow Willard Gallery artists Lionel Feininger and Mark Tobey; he and Jacob Lawrence were the only African-American artists included.