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2008 DECEMBER
Dec. 29, 2008
Update
Somali President's Departure Marks Next Step for Transitional Government
Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf resigned Monday after failing to stabilize the African country that has lacked a functioning central government for 17 years.


Dec. 29, 2008
Update
Ugandan Rebels Kill Nearly 200 in Northeast Congo
Facing a new military campaign aimed at ending their 20-year war, Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels have launched a series of attacks that have killed nearly 200 people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.N. reported Monday.


Dec. 25, 2008
Update
Guinea Officials Surrender as Junta Chief Claims Presidency
Guinea's prime minister and about 30 other government leaders surrendered Thursday at an army barracks, as Capt. Moussa Camara, the head of a military coup, declared himself the new leader of the western African country.


Dec. 23, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe's Mugabe Resists Calls to Step Down
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has rejected recent calls from the United States and Britain to resign, deeming them "stupid and foolish" in the latest war of words involving the troubled southern African nation.


Dec. 18, 2008
Blog
Soweto Gospel Choir: Songs of Hope
Dressed in vibrant costumes, the Soweto Gospel Choir blends the rich sounds of traditional African music with dance and a variety of musical genres -- rock and hip-hop, and American gospel and R&B -- and the combination has earned the choir legions of fans and awards from around the globe.


Dec. 18, 2008
Update
Planner of Rwandan Massacres Gets Life Sentence
A U.N. tribunal convicted a senior Rwandan military officer Thursday of orchestrating Africa's largest genocide in modern history and sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding the deaths of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994.


Dec. 17, 2008
Analysis
U.N. Takes New Steps to Curb Somalia's Pirates
After several recent pirate attacks, the U.N. Security Council authorized land and air operations to help stop the flow of the fighters from bases in Somalia. Experts examine the ramifications of the U.N. action.

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Dec. 17, 2008
Update
OPEC Agrees to Record Output Cut to Combat Falling Oil Prices
Oil prices fell to their lowest level in four years Wednesday, despite news that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to a larger-than-expected oil production cut of 2.2 million barrels per day.


Dec. 16, 2008
Update
New South African Political Party Names Leader
South Africa's new Congress of the People party named former defense minister Mosiuoa Lekota as its leader Tuesday and said it would challenge the ruling African National Congress in March's general elections.


Dec. 12, 2008
Update
Profile: Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe, long-time leader of Zimbabwe, was hailed as a hero during his country's liberation from the UK, but has since maintained power in controversial elections and garnered international criticism for how he is running the African nation.


Dec. 9, 2008
Analysis
Zimbabwe's Cholera Crisis Spurs New Calls for Mugabe to Step Down
In the wake of Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak, worsening food shortages and political unrest, some international leaders are urging embattled President Robert Mugabe to step down. An analyst provides an update on the situation.

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Dec. 9, 2008
Update
Bush Joins Calls for Mugabe to Step Down
President Bush said in a statement Tuesday that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe should step down and called for African support to end his "tyranny" as a growing chorus of foreign leaders calls for the embattled leader to quit his post.


Dec. 5, 2008
Update
U.S. Calls for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to Resign as Power-sharing Deal Falters
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice increased pressure on Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to leave office after his government stalled on a power-sharing deal with the opposition party.


Dec. 3, 2008
Update
Riots Break Out as Zimbabwe Faces Cholera Epidemic, Hyperinflation
Doctors, teachers and union members clashed with riot police in the streets of Zimbabwe's capital of Harare as they protested the country's deepening economic meltdown and a cholera epidemic that has been blamed on poor infrastructure.

NOVEMBER
Nov. 21, 2008
Forum
The Pirates of Somalia
Piracy off the coast of Africa has increased in recent weeks, with eight attacks just this week. In a brazen attack, pirates captured a Saudi supertanker loaded with at least $100 million in oil, the largest ship ever hijacked.


Nov. 20, 2008
Update
South Africa Withholds Aid to Zimbabwe; Health Crisis Grows
South Africa said Thursday it will withhold aid for Zimbabwe until a representative government is in place amid reports of a growing public health crisis and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's objections to a visit by former world leaders.


Nov. 20, 2008
Update
Piracy Offers Lucrative Career in Lawless Somalia
The recent hijacking of a Saudi Arabian oil supertanker demonstrated Somali pirates' increasing capabilities to seize ships, despite the efforts of a multi-national naval force meant to deter such attacks.


Nov. 19, 2008
Analysis
Modern-day Somali Pirates Increase Attacks
Somali pirates are increasing the frequency of their attacks and targeting larger ships, targeting oil supertankers and grain cargo vessels. Experts explain the rise in modern-day piracy and the efforts among the international community to curb the problem.

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Nov. 18, 2008
Update
Congo Rebels Announce Pullback to Aid Peace Bid
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, rebels announced a military pullback Tuesday to support a U.N. peace initiative and the government ousted its armed forces chief following a string of defeats.


Nov. 17, 2008
Update
Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Headed for U.S.
Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi-owned supertanker Saturday hundreds of miles off the Horn of Africa, seizing the ship loaded with crude oil and its 25-member international crew, the U.S. Navy said Monday.


Nov. 12, 2008
Update
Sudanese President Announces Darfur Cease-fire, Rebels Reject Claim
Sudan's President Omar Bashir announced a unilateral cease-fire to end the violence in the country's western Darfur region, but the move was rejected by rebel groups and international human rights organizations.


Nov. 10, 2008
Update
African Countries Poised to Send Peacekeepers to Congo
Countries of the South African Development Community said after a regional summit Sunday that they would send military advisers to help the Congolese government, and peacekeepers if necessary.


Nov. 7, 2008
Update
Conflict Over Resources Sparks Renewed Crisis in Congo
Militia violence in eastern Congo has left many civilians dead in its wake. A Hoover Institution fellow and independent journalist details the causes of the fighting, the combatants involved in this civil war and limits on U.N. troops' involvement.

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Nov. 6, 2008
Update
U.N. Says Violence Spreading in Eastern Congo
U.N. peacekeepers found the bodies of a dozen shot citizens in an eastern Congo village occupied by Tutsi rebels, who have seized more territory in North Kivu province, the United Nations said Thursday.


Nov. 3, 2008
Update
Breakaway ANC Faction to Form New South African Party
A breakaway faction of South Africa's ruling African National Congress will on Monday register as a new political party, named the South African Democratic Congress, a spokesman said.

OCTOBER
Oct. 31, 2008
Update
Refugee Camps Targeted by Rebels in Congo
The United Nations said Friday that rebels have torched refugee camps in eastern Congo, forcing 50,000 people already displaced by the violence out of the camps.


Oct. 30, 2008
Update
Accusations Fly as Shaky Cease-Fire Holds in Congo Rebellion
A day after declaring a cease-fire on violence in eastern Congo, the leader of a Tutsi rebellion said Thursday he wants direct talks with the Congolese government about management of the country's resources.


Oct. 29, 2008
Update
Suicide Bombings Kill at Least 22 in Somalia
A series of five suicide bombings rattled multiple targets in northern Somalia Wednesday, killing at least 22 people as international talks began in Kenya over Somalia's troubled political situation.


Oct. 28, 2008
Update
U.N., Congolese Soldiers Retreat as Rebels Advance
Congolese soldiers and U.N. tanks were forced to retreat Tuesday from rebels vowing to take Congo's eastern provincial capital of Goma -- home to the local U.N. headquarters.


Oct. 1, 2008
Update
As Standoff Continues, Somalia Permits Foreign Navies to Attack Pirates
Six days after a Ukrainian freighter laden with military hardware was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, the Somali government said Wednesday that it will allow foreign navies to attack the Somali pirates behind the takeover.

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 25, 2008
Update
S. Africa Elects Interim Leader as Mbeki Bows Out
South Africa's Parliament Thursday elected Kgalema Motlanthe as interim president, replacing Thabo Mbeki who was ousted after a protracted power struggle within his own ruling party.


Sept. 15, 2008
Update
Mugabe Agrees to Share Power Under New Zimbabwe Deal
Zimbabwe's political rivals signed a landmark power-sharing agreement Monday that shows President Robert Mugabe of the ZANU-PF party loosening his grip on the economically ravaged country for the first time in nearly three decades.


Sept. 12, 2008
Update
Mugabe, Opposition Leader Said to Reach Power-sharing Deal
South African President Thabo Mbeki announced late Thursday that weeks of negotiations had produced a power-sharing deal between Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and his bitter rival, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

AUGUST
Aug. 22, 2008
Update
Dozens Dead in Southern Somalia Clashes
At least 70 people have been killed over the past few days in battles between Somalia's Islamist al-Shabaab rebels and a pro-government clan militia in the southern part of the country.


Aug. 20, 2008
Update
Twin Bombings in Algeria Kill 11, Injure 31
Twin car bombings in the Algerian town of Bouira on Wednesday killed 11 people and wounded 31 others, state-run media and witnesses said.


Aug. 19, 2008
Update
Suicide Bomber Kills 43 at Algerian Police School
A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-rigged car into a police academy as applicants lined up to register for classes Tuesday, killing at least 43 people and injuring 38 others, Algeria's Interior Ministry said.


Aug. 15, 2008
Slide Show
Satellite Imaging Program Records Darfur Destruction
Geographers at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Office of Science and Human Rights are using satellite images to document destroyed villages in Darfur and other areas. Project director Lars Bromley describes the challenges of documenting human rights abuses using geospatial technologies.

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Aug. 14, 2008
Slide Show
Stone Age Graveyard Unearthed
A paleontologist looking for dinosaur bones in the Sahara desert instead stumbled across the largest Stone Age graveyard ever found. View a slide show of the excavation.


Aug. 14, 2008
Analysis
Scientists Find Stone Age Burial Ground From Once-green Sahara
A team of paleontologists inadvertently discovered the remains of a Stone Age cemetery in the Sahara desert, revealing clues about the lives of the hunter-gatherers who lived in the once-temperate region. A lead researcher details the finds.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: National Science Foundation


Aug. 8, 2008
Update
AIDS Conference Highlights Successes in Treatment, Struggles in Prevention
Researchers and activists focused on the search for an HIV vaccine and other prevention methods, as well as broadening access to HIV care across the globe, at this week's International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, which concluded Friday.


Aug. 7, 2008
Update
Military Leaders in Mauritania Vow to Hold Elections After Toppling President
Leaders of a military coup that ousted Mauritania's first freely elected president in more than 20 years, Sidi Cheikh Ould Abdallahi, promised Thursday to hold "free and transparent" elections to replace him.


Aug. 5, 2008
Slide Show
The Power of Access to AIDS Medication
Photographers captured images of HIV positive people in countries around the world before and after they began antiretroviral treatment.


Aug. 5, 2008
Analysis
Concerns Surface After A Gorilla Haven Discovery
A discovery of 125,000 lowland gorillas in the Congo basin changes population estimates of the critically endangered species, although threats from poachers and little funding for staff and operations present ongoing challenges. The Wildlife Conservation Society's president discusses the difficulties ahead.

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Aug. 5, 2008
Update
Endangered Gorilla 'Mother Lode' Uncovered in Republic of Congo
A survey of the vast swamps and forests in the northern Republic of Congo has revealed 125,000 western lowland gorillas living there, more than double the previous known tally of the endangered animal.


Aug. 4, 2008
Update
Libya's Qaddafi: From 'Mad Dog' to Global Player
Col. Moammar Qaddafi has been Libya's leader since 1969, when he took power in a bloodless coup, and he has maintained a complicated -- and ever-evolving -- relationship with neighboring nations and international bodies ever since.

JULY
July 30, 2008
Report
In Rwanda, U.S.-Backed Program Improves Access to AIDS Drugs
A U.S. program to curb AIDS in Africa is having success providing antiretroviral drugs to AIDS patients in Rwanda -- particularly pregnant women and newborns. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer begins a series of reports examining the impact of the American effort.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: Robert Wood Johnson


July 30, 2008
Analysis
Trade Talks Collapse Highlight Differences Between Developing, Developed Worlds
Opposition from increasingly important China and India derailed efforts to negotiated a global trade deal Tuesday. With the talks stalled, two economic experts assess the impact on American and international businesses and farmers.

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July 29, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Talks Adjourn; Mbeki Denies a Deadlock
South African President Thabo Mbeki denied Tuesday that talks between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had deadlocked, saying instead that the talks are "doing very well."


July 28, 2008
Update
Nigerian Militants Renew Oil Pipeline Attacks
Nigeria's main militant group in the oil-rich Niger Delta region claimed responsibility for two oil pipeline attacks Monday, less than a week after officially calling off a cease-fire on pipeline sabotage


July 21, 2008
Analysis
Zimbabwe Rivals Agree to Hold Power-Sharing Talks
Zimbabwe's political crisis took a new turn Monday when President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai met for the first time in years to discuss building a power-sharing government. A regional expert discusses what the agreement may signal for the troubled country.

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July 21, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe's Mugabe, Tsvangirai Agree to Hold Power-Sharing Talks
After months of a bitter and violent political dispute, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed an agreement Monday outlining terms for formal talks on a power-sharing government.


July 17, 2008
Report
U.S. Doctors Create Pediatric AIDS Network in Malawi
In Malawi, where some 83,000 children are infected with HIV, a new program brings U.S. doctors to the East African country and encourages African doctors to set up practices in their hometowns, instead of leaving for more prosperous countries.

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July 14, 2008
Insider Forum
Washington Post Reporter Answered Your Questions on Zimbabwe's Political Unrest
In collaboration with Zimbabwean journalists, Washington Post reporter Craig Timberg reported on the turnabout that kept President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe in power after a campaign of violence was enacted against his opponents. Timberg answered your questions.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: The Knight Foundation


July 14, 2008
Update
Sudanese President Charged with Genocide in Darfur
The International Criminal Court prosecutor charged Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with orchestrating genocide against African tribes in the western region of Darfur and called on the court to order his arrest.


July 11, 2008
Update
International Criminal Court to Seek Arrest of Sudanese President
The International Criminal Court will seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for genocide and crimes against humanity committed in the western Darfur region of his country, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Friday.


July 10, 2008
Analysis
Zimbabwe's Election Turmoil Marked by Campaign of Violence
Zimbabwe has been embroiled in a high-profile political crisis, which saw leader Robert Mugabe return to power amid reports of a violent crackdown. The Washington Post's Craig Timberg details his reporting on the story.

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July 9, 2008
Update
Seven Peacekeepers Killed in Darfur Ambush
Seven peacekeepers from a joint U.N.-African Union force were killed and 22 people were wounded when a convoy of gunmen attacked them in northern Darfur, the United Nations said Wednesday.


July 7, 2008
Update
Aid to Africa Tops Agenda for G-8 Leaders
World leaders entered the second day of their annual G-8 summit prepared to focus on whether Africa is receiving enough aid amid soaring food and oil prices and concerns over climate change.


July 3, 2008
Update
U.S. Submits Sanctions Against Zimbabwe to U.N.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad submitted a U.S.-drafted resolution to the U.N. Security Council against Zimbabwe after a flawed election marred by violence saw President Robert Mugabe claim another term.


July 1, 2008
Analysis
African Union Leaders Urge Political Dialogue in Zimbabwe
The African Union called on Zimbabwe Tuesday to create a government of national unity following last week's disputed runoff election that saw Robert Mugabe enter a sixth presidential term. Analysts examine the crisis.

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July 1, 2008
Update
African Leaders Seek Common Ground on Zimbabwe Election Dispute
African leaders meeting in Egypt are debating how to handle the disputed re-election of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, as the longtime leader's spokesman told Western critics who blasted the recent vote to "go hang."

JUNE
June 30, 2008
Update
At Summit, African Leaders Call on Zimbabwe to Settle Post-election Crisis
African Union leaders gathered in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday with Zimbabwe's election top on the agenda a day after Robert Mugabe claimed the country's presidency in a disputed runoff election.


June 27, 2008
Update
Turnout Low in One-Candidate Runoff in Zimbabwe
Voter participation in a run-off election Friday, with only longtime President Robert Mugabe running, was reportedly light at many polling stations. Some of those who did vote said they were coerced -- fearing punishment or even death.


June 25, 2008
Update
Efforts to Resettle Displaced Kenyans Get Mixed Results
Despite government efforts to resettle hundreds of thousands of Kenyans displaced from election violence earlier this year, a state-funded human rights group has said too little is being done to address grievances back home.


June 24, 2008
Conversation
Zimbabwe's Government Defies International Pressure on Run-off Vote
Zimbabwe's ambassador to the United Nations, Boniface Chidyausiku, explains his country's plan to host a run-off presidential election Friday, despite the U.N. Security Council's declaration that a fair election is not possible during the present political crisis.

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June 24, 2008
Update
Ruling South African Party Shuns 'Outside' Diplomacy for Zimbabwe's Troubles
Amid international decrees that Zimbabwe's presidential runoff will not be legitimate, South Africa's ruling party rejected outside diplomacy, warning that "any attempts by outside players to impose regime change will merely deepen the crisis."


June 23, 2008
Analysis
Zimbabwe Vote Crisis Grows After Tsvangirai Drops Out
After a disputed election and claims of politically fueled violence, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai dropped out of a run-off vote against President Robert Mugabe. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad examines the issue.

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June 23, 2008
Update
Tsvangirai Withdraws from Zimbabwe Runoff, Seeks Refuge in Dutch Embassy
Police in Zimbabwe raided the opposition party's headquarters and took away about 60 people Monday, a party spokesman said. The raid came a day after the party's presidential candidate withdrew from a runoff against longtime President Robert Mugabe.


June 17, 2008
Blog
What are the pros and cons for denominating oil worldwide in U.S. dollars?
Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."


June 13, 2008
Update
War Veterans Ready to Fight for Mugabe in Zimbabwe Runoff
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said war veterans he commanded during his country's war for liberation are prepared to take up arms to prevent the opposition from winning a June 27 run-off presidential election.


June 11, 2008
Conversation
Annan: World Must Help African Nations Tackle Food Crisis
Fuel costs and supply shortages have caused a spike in food prices across Africa -- prompting calls for an agricultural revolution on the continent. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan discusses efforts to address the crisis.

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June 4, 2008
Analysis
Renewed Violence in Zimbabwe Raises Fresh Election Concerns
Robert Mugabe's pre run-off election crack-down has been extended aid groups, which the president calls foreign spy organizations. A panel of experts discuss the new reports of violence and what this means for Zimbabwe's future.

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June 4, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Tsvangirai Freed After Being Detained by Police
Zimbabwe opposition party leader Morgan Tsvangirai and several of his aides were detained at a police roadblock Wednesday ahead a run-off election later this month, his party said. Police later released Tsvangiari after holding him for eight hours.

MAY
May 29, 2008
Analysis
Rising Violence Pushes Immigrants to Flee South Africa
Political fear and uncertainty in Zimbabwe have driven many people to neighboring South Africa, prompting a violent backlash from South Africans who claim that jobs are being lost to immigrants. Analysts examine the dynamics that have led to this rise in violence.

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May 27, 2008
Conversation
Achebe Discusses Africa 50 Years After 'Things Fall Apart'
A half century after Chinua Achebe penned 'Things Fall Apart', Jeffrey Brown discusses Africa's ongoing story with the famed author.

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May 27, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Opposition Blasts Mugabe over Violence
More than 50 people have been killed and 25,000 driven from their homes by political violence since Zimbabwe's contested March 29 election, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said on Tuesday.


May 22, 2008
Update
S. Africa Reels From Anti-Immigrant Violence
South African soldiers have been deployed to help curb a recent burst of anti-foreigner violence that has killed at least 42 people and damaged the country's efforts to shore up its economic and political stability.


May 5, 2008
Analysis
Relief for World Food Crisis Made More Difficult by Cyclones, Riots
In the wake of the devastating cyclone in Myanmar and widespread rioting in Somalia, the international community continues to try and respond with food relief programs to confront the rising need. World Food Program's head Josette Sheeran discusses the relief efforts.

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May 5, 2008
Update
Thousands Riot in Somalia over Food Prices; 2 People Killed
Tens of thousands of people protested in Somalia's capital Mogadishu over high food prices Monday. At least two people were killed and several more injured when police opened fire on the rioting crowds.


May 2, 2008
Report
Growing Hunger in Malawi Stirs Food Aid Debate
Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on the debate over the benefits of providing cash or crops to recipient nations. He also looks into the growing effects of domestic farm law on world food markets.

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May 2, 2008
Update
Delayed Zimbabwe Vote Tally Points to Future Runoff
Zimbabwe's electoral commission announced the results of the nation's election on Friday, more than a month since voters went to the polls. As the country now gears up for a runoff, a National Public Radio reporter discusses the details behind the commission's statement.

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May 2, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Opposition: Results Are 'Scandalous'
Zimbabwe's opposition party on Friday challenged results that say its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has won the first round of the presidential election with 47.9 percent of the vote -- but not enough to avoid a runoff against President Robert Mugabe.


May 1, 2008
Analysis
Attack on Terror Target Sheds Light on Somalia's Instability
The U.S. military led airstrikes against terrorism suspects in Somalia Thursday, killing a suspected al-Qaida leader. A panel of experts offer perspective on what the strike may mean for security in the region, the Somali people and the U.S. war on terror.

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May 1, 2008
Update
U.S. Kills Suspected al-Qaida Leader in Somali Airstrikes
U.S. war planes killed the suspected head of al-Qaida in Somalia and as many as 30 other people Thursday in overnight airstrikes. The New York Times' East Africa bureau chief discusses the target and the operation.

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May 1, 2008
Update
Vote Checks Begin for Zimbabwe Election Results
Zimbabwe's electoral commission is presenting initial results from the March 29 presidential vote to the candidates on Thursday, a day after international media outlets reported the opposition party won the vote by a four-point margin.


May 1, 2008
Update
U.S. Airstrikes Kill al-Qaida Leader in Somalia
U.S. war planes killed the suspected head of al-Qaida in Somalia and as many as 30 other people Thursday in an overnight airstrike, a U.S. defense official said. The head of the Islamic insurgent group confirmed the attack killed its leader.

APRIL
April 25, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Opposition Headquarters Raided
Armed Zimbabwe riot police raided the headquarters of the opposition party embroiled in an election standoff with President Robert Mugabe Friday, forcing hundreds of people into the streets, news agencies report.


April 22, 2008
Update
Supply Concerns Drive Oil Prices to New Highs
Oil prices continued to soar Tuesday topping $118 a barrel after unrest in Nigeria and Yemen forced oil companies to limit production from key areas.


April 18, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe's Mugabe Rails Against Britain, Critics
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe went on the offensive Friday, calling his opponents puppets of Great Britain who want a return to colonial rule, and blaming his critics for the country's economic problems.


April 14, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Court Deals Major Blow to Opposition Party
On Monday, Zimbabwe's highest court refused to order the release of presidential election results -- dealing a blow to the opposition party, which says its leader defeated President Robert Mugabe in the vote. NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton provides an update from Harare.

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April 14, 2008
Update
Deadly Gang Protests Sour Power-sharing Progress in Kenya
One day after a new coalition cabinet was named in Kenya, machete-wielding gang members blocked roads and fought police Monday to protest the killing of an imprisoned gang leader's wife.


April 14, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Court Rejects Call to Release Vote Tally
Zimbabwe's High Court dealt a major blow to opposition party leaders on Monday by rejecting their demand that the results from the March 29 presidential election be released.


April 11, 2008
Update
Scientists Create Plan to Save Madagascar Species
The island nation of Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, but it is rich in one resource -- biodiversity. Perched in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar broke from the continent more than 80 million years ago.


April 10, 2008
Update
Mugabe, Opposition to Attend Emergency Summit
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and opposition presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai will meet with leaders of southern African nations this weekend in an emergency summit to discuss the deepening political standoff in the country.


April 8, 2008
Update
Opposition: 'Massive Violence' Sweeps Zimbabwe
Opposition party officials in Zimbabwe said Tuesday that the country has been plagued by "massive violence" since the March 29 presidential election. Still, no winner has been announced as President Robert Mugabe holds a tenuous grip on his power.


April 4, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe's Ruling Party Agrees to Runoff
Zimbabwe's ruling party ZANU-PF announced Friday it would back President Robert Mugabe in a runoff vote against opposition presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, while the opposition party demanded an official tally from the first vote.


April 2, 2008
Update
Reporter Describes Mugabe's Tenuous Hold on Power
In the wake of a decisive defeat in Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections on Saturday, President Robert Mugabe faces an uncertain future after 28 years in power. Charlayne Hunter-Gault reports on the situation from neighboring South Africa.

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April 2, 2008
Update
Mugabe's Party Loses Control of Parliament
President Robert Mugabe faced an uncertain future for the first time in his 28-year rule of Zimbabwe, after the opposition claimed victory in last weekend's presidential race and his ruling party lost control of parliament, official results show.


April 1, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe's Mugabe May Face Runoff Vote
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will beat President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe's closely-watched election, but be forced into a runoff vote in three weeks, according to a ruling party projection.

MARCH
March 31, 2008
Update
Vote Rigging Fears Cloud Zimbabwe Election
As officials began to release election results Monday, showing a split between Zimbabwe's ruling party and the opposition, accusations of President Robert Mugabe's government rigging returns to hide a loss threatened to throw the country into chaos.


March 26, 2008
Update
Somali Islamists Capture Town; Aid Agencies Call for Action
Islamist fighters took control of the town of Jowhar, Somalia, on Wednesday in an ongoing insurgency against the Western-backed government that has gathered steam in recent months.


March 21, 2008
Report
Political Unrest Drags on Kenya's Tourism Industry
The violence that exploded in Kenya earlier this year over allegations of vote-rigging has caused the country's tourism industry to slump. Margaret Warner reports from Kenya on the anemic state of one of the country's biggest economic engines.

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March 20, 2008
Report
Kenyans Work to Rebuild Shattered Lives, Communities
The United Nations Thursday urged Kenya to prosecute those responsible for the worst of the country's recent post-election violence. Margaret Warner reports from Kenya on how citizens and businesses are working to recover from the politically fueled unrest.

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March 19, 2008
Report
Kenya's Post-election Violence Stems From Ethnic, Economic Disparities
The fighting that raged in Kenya after disputed December elections was a sign of deep-seated ethnic tensions and underlying economic problems in the country, including joblessness. Margaret Warner reports from Kenya on the roots of the violence.

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March 17, 2008
Report
Kenyans Anxiously Await Results of Political Deal
While Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga were able to reach an agreement on a coalition government, Kenyans are anxiously waiting to see if the deal will hold. Margaret Warner reports from Kenya on the latest developments.

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March 17, 2008
Video
Video Collection: Kenya Works to Mend Divisions
Watch all of Margaret Warner's video reports from Kenya on the government's power-sharing deal and the work that lies ahead.


March 11, 2008
Report
Government Profile: Kenya
Kenya is a democratic republic composed of seven provinces and the Nairobi area, which has special provincial status.


March 11, 2008
Report
Kenya's Unrest: Key Players
Key players in Kenyan politics and mediation efforts include President Mwai Kibaki, opposition leader Raila Odinga and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.


March 11, 2008
Report
Ethnic Divides Run Deep in Kenya
The ethnic-driven killings in Kenya -- ignited by disputed elections in December -- are a sign of long-simmering tensions, and any long-term political resolution must address those deep-seated fissures, regional experts say.


March 11, 2008
Report
Kenyan Violence Creates Stress on Uganda, Aid Groups
Nearly 300,000 people were displaced within Kenya and Uganda when disputed elections sparked bloody riots. International aid organizations have been working to help families amid the threat of resurgent violence and peoples' reluctance to return to perilous areas.


March 5, 2008
Forum
Scholar Assesses Kenya Politics
Stephen Ndegwa, a visiting scholar at the UCLA Globalization Research Center - Africa and a governance specialist with the World Bank, answered your questions about the violent political dispute in Kenya and whether a recent power-sharing deal will hold.


March 3, 2008
Update
U.S. Targets al-Qaida Member in Somalia Attack
The United States launched an attack against "a known al-Qaida terrorist" in a southern Somali town, the Pentagon said Monday.

FEBRUARY
Feb. 28, 2008
Analysis
Political Deal in Kenya Raises Hopes for End to Violence
Rival leaders in Kenya agreed to a coalition government deal Thursday that would create a new prime minister role to rule with the president, raising hopes for an end to two months of post-election violence. The U.S. secretary of state for African affairs discusses the plan and the prospects for peace.

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Feb. 26, 2008
Update
Kenya Power-sharing Talks Hit a Standstill
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he has suspended talks between Kenya's government and opposition -- at loggerheads over disputed presidential elections last year -- after weeks of talks yielded little so far.


Feb. 21, 2008
Analysis
Bush's Visit Renews Focus on State of U.S.-Africa Relations
President Bush concluded a five day visit to Africa Thursday, making a final stop in Liberia where he pledged that the United States would help the country rebuild after a decade of civil war. Experts evaluate the state of U.S.-Africa relations.

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Feb. 14, 2008
Update
2 Flesh-Eating Dinosaur Species Discovered
Two new and unusual dinosaur species have been discovered in Africa, scientists announced Wednesday.


Feb. 13, 2008
Insider Forum
U.N. Envoy Answers Questions on Darfur Crisis
After years of violence, the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate, United Nations officials have said. Experts estimate that 200,000 people have died and nearly 2.5 million have been displaced. U.N. envoy to Darfur Jan Eliasson answered your questions on the Darfur crisis and the international role in the region.

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Feb. 13, 2008
Slide Show
Democratic Republic of Congo: Toils of War
The Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa is striving to recover from a five-year interstate war and its aftereffects, including widespread poverty and disease. All photos are from the International Rescue Committee.


Feb. 8, 2008
Newsmaker Interview
U.N. Envoy: Darfur Faces New Dangers Amid Chad Unrest
U.N. special envoy to Darfur Jan Eliasson painted a bleak picture of the war-torn Sudanese region Friday, warning that rebel groups had made only limited progress toward peace talks. In an interview, Eliasson details the latest developments in Darfur and explains how unrest in neighboring Chad may further inflame the crisis.

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Feb. 6, 2008
Update
After Coup Attempt, Chad's President Asserts He's in Control
Chad President Idriss Deby reemerged Wednesday to declare that his government was in total control of the country after a failed coup attempt last weekend.

JANUARY
Jan. 31, 2008
Update
Kenyan Peace Talks Delayed After Death of Second Opposition Legislator
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan postponed talks between rival leaders in Kenya Thursday after an opposition lawmaker was killed -- the second in three days. L.A. Times Nairobi Bureau Chief Edmund Sanders discusses the prospects for an end to the turmoil.

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Jan. 29, 2008
Update
Formal Mediation Begins in Conflict-torn Kenya
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan began formal mediation talks Tuesday in Kenya, where post-election violence has killed hundreds and driven thousands from their homes.


Jan. 24, 2008
Analysis
In Kenya, Meeting of Rivals Raises Hopes for Peace
For the first time since a disputed election drove the country into turmoil, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga met Thursday for talks mediated by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Analysts discuss the prospects for peace.

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Jan. 23, 2008
Update
Gazans Flood into Egypt After Border Wall Topples
Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into Egypt from the Gaza Strip to buy fuel, food and other supplies Wednesday after masked gunmen used land mines to blast down sections of a seven-mile fence dividing the border town of Rafah.


Jan. 23, 2008
Update
Rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo Sign Peace Pact
Rebels and militia groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo signed a cease-fire agreement aimed at ending the conflict that continued to rage after the end of the country's 1998-2003 war.


Jan. 18, 2008
Update
AU Head Calls for Peacekeepers to Stay in Somalia
African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare called Friday for peacekeeping troops to remain in Somalia for an additional six months amid near daily clashes in the capital, Mogadishu.


Jan. 16, 2008
Update
Police, Protesters Clash Amid Opposition Rallies in Kenya
Police lobbed tear gas into crowds in cities around Kenya Wednesday and at least one person was reported dead at the start of three planned days of protests over presidential elections.


Jan. 14, 2008
Update
Kenya's Lawmakers to Reconvene Despite Continued Unrest
Kenya's feuding political parties are bracing for a contentious week as the sharply divided Parliament reconvenes and opposition leaders plan mass demonstrations.


Jan. 8, 2008
Update
Joint U.N.-AU Convoy Comes Under Attack in Darfur
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a United Nations-African Union supply convoy in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, the first attack on the newly formed peacekeeping force, officials said Tuesday.


Jan. 7, 2008
Update
Kenyan President to Meet with Opposition Leader After Week of Violence
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki invited opposition leader Raila Odinga to his residence for talks Monday, hours after Odinga called off nationwide rallies in an effort to curb violence in the country over the recent disputed presidential election.


Jan. 2, 2008
Update
Death Toll Passes 300 in Kenya's Election Violence
Dozens of Kenyans were burned alive in a church on Tuesday and more than 300 have been killed in a wave of violence since last week's controversial re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.

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