All Africa
Mugabe sets elections for March, but will Zimbabwe be ready?The elections would include both presidential and legislative contests. But critics say that too many political issues remain unresolved for elections to be fairly held in March.
Child killed in Kenya church attack. Revenge for Kismayo?A grenade attack on an Anglican Church in Kenya is widely seen as a response to Kenya's troops overrunning Kismayo, the final urban stronghold of the Islamist group Al Shabab. 聽
When Al Shabab's last stronghold falls, will a guerrilla war follow?Kenyan soldiers launched an attack on Kismayo, the last stronghold of Islamist group Al Shabab in Somalia. But many worry that if Kismayo falls, Al Shabab may revert to terrorist attacks.- Kenya gets tough on hate speech ahead of pollsKenya's assistant minister for water,聽Fedinard Waititu, faces charges of incitement to violence after a speech this week. Kenya is trying to avoid a repeat聽of the 2007 election violence.
Sudan and South Sudan strike 'partial peace' dealThough analysts call the peace deal between Sudan and South Sudan 'partial,' President Obama praised the move, calling it an 'important step' away from conflict.
God and mammals: In Kenya, religious leaders pray to thwart poachingAfrican religious leaders toured Kenya's Nairobi National Park to learn about the urgent threat to elephants and rhinos from poaching 鈥� and to share ideas about using their moral clout to stop it.
In Somalia, UN charcoal purchases could be funding Al Shabab terror groupA UN contract to buy charcoal for African Union troop kitchens in Somalia may indirectly be funding the country's Al Qaeda-allied Islamist army, the Monitor has learned.- International investors hot on ... Zambia?Investors bombarded Zambia's debut international bond offering, with demand outstripping supply of the debt by 15 times, and leading to an unusually low rate of borrowing for an African sovereign.
Somali militants under pressure in last stronghold of KismayoTop Islamist Somali militants are said to be fleeing Kismayo as African Union forces close in. The loss of the port city would be a blow to their operations 鈥� and their finances.
New Somali president survives terrorist attack, faces daunting jobHassan Sheikh Mohamud was not injured in today's suicide bombings, but the attacks may be representative of some of the many challenges he'll face in leading Somalia.
In Somalia, battle looms for militants' last major strongholdAir and sea attacks around the key Somali port city of Kismayo this week point to a long-awaited offensive by the African Union Mission in Somalia against seasoned Al Shabab fighters.
Progress WatchBack to school: From rural Africa to the Ivy LeagueThe United States Achievers Program provides funding and moral support for promising but disadvantaged students from 13 countries on four continents to pursue their educational goals.
In Ethiopia, a nation comes to bury Meles 鈥� and to praise himAhead of the funeral Sunday of Ethiopian strongman Meles Zenawi, many Ethiopians are proudly assessing his abilities and the changes instigated. Less spoken of 鈥� at least publicly 鈥� is the intimidation of his opponents and nervousness about the future.聽 聽
Frustrated by lack of protection, Kenyan churches sue governmentMore than 14 churches have been attacked in Kenya since April, most recently in this week's violence in Mombasa. Church leaders are suing to force the government to defend them.
FocusUsing Chinese star power to fight ivory poaching in AfricaThe biggest demand for ivory is in China, so conservationists are trying to give Chinese consumers a greater understanding of poaching 鈥� with the help of Chinese celebrities like Yao Ming.
Mombasa riots deepen concern about religious tensions in KenyaReligious divides appear to be deepening as riots continued in Mombasa, Kenya, in the wake of a cleric's killing. Extremist group Al Shabab called on Muslims to 'take matters into their own hands.'
Muslim cleric's killing sparks riots in KenyaThe shooting death Monday of Muslim cleric Sheikh Aboud Rogo, who is under US sanctions for ties to the Islamist militant group Al Shabab, has renewed concerns about extrajudicial killings in Kenya.- Arms, drugs, and human trafficking: What does the future hold for northern Mali?A new unity government was formed in Mali this week, though it remains unclear whether it will be successful in restoring constitutional rule in the Tuareg-held north.
Showing at Little League World Series buoys Uganda enthusiasm for baseballA Ugandan team participated for the first time in the Little League World Series last weekend. While it's a boost, critics say much needs to be done to put youth baseball on a solid footing in Uganda.
SEC ruling will spotlight financial dealings of firms in AfricaSEC ruling will require oil and mining companies to disclose payments to foreign governments. It could put those operating in resource-rich Africa at odds with governments that prefer secrecy and at a disadvantage to less-regulated companies.