Africa

Portugal's Sporting Lisbon sign Mali striker Abdoulay Diaby from Belgium's Club Brugge and add a $70m release clause in his contract.

He said in a video that it was "heaven on earth" as there were no black people on the beach.

There is a Ghana recall after four years for Kwadwo Asamoah but no places for Asamoah Gyan nor the Ayew brothers.

eSwatini says it will maintain relations with Taiwan after China seeks diplomatic ties.

Sudanese photographer Ola Alsheikh shares her favourite shots from her hometown, Khartoum.

Driving cash-handling vehicles is seen as one of the most dangerous jobs in South Africa.

Soldiers were caught on film hitting a photographer covering a protest over the arrest of an MP.

The recent killing of villagers in Nigeria’s Borno State has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General.

The traditional priest placed a curse on those accused of links to a Nigerian church attack.

Nigeria forward Anthony Nwakaeme moves to Turkey rather than China in order to keep alive his hopes of playing for the Super Eagles again.

The former Arsenal manager is to be decorated by his ex-player, Liberia's President George Weah.

New Cameroon coach Clarence Seedorf drops China-based players, including captain Benjamin Moukandjo, from his first squad.

Somalia's capital has been described as the world's most dangerous city - but some people there are trying to change that. Mary Harper came to know one of them.

Children of Blood and Bone author Tomi Adeyemi explains the inspiration behind her best-selling book.

Four Ugandan students have developed a revolutionary way to test for malaria without drawing blood.

August 20, 2018 (JUBA) - The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), Festus G. Mogae, has decided to resign from his position by the end of September 2018.

JMEC Chairman, Festus Mogae, briefs the UN Security Council, on the implementation of the peace agreement on 31 March 2016 (ST Photo)

In a short statement released on Monday, the JMEC said Mogae who proposed the peace revitalization process sent a letter to the IDAG chair and Ethiopian prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to inform him of his decision.

"as the process to revitalize the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan draws to a close, I have adjudged it appropriate to allow for the new phase of the transition period for South Sudan to be in fresh hands,” said the Former President of the Republic of Botswana in his letter.

Mogae was appointed on 19 October 2015 to head the monitoring commission tasked with the monitoring of the implementation of South Sudan peace agreement.

Mogae was the third president of Botswana from 1998 to 2008 when he voluntarily stepped down for his successor.

Before getting elected to the presidency, he served in many capacities including being the Chairman of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers from 1992 until 1996 and vice president of his country.

(ST)

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Executive Director of the United Nations entity dealing with issues related to gender, UN Women, has encouraged Somalia to continue making progress in the areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

For the African continent to achieve sustainable development, more jobs must be created for its young people, including in the digitalized agriculture sectors, the United Nations agriculture chief told an international conference on Monday.

The 36-year-old musician turned politician has become a real thorn in the side of Uganda's long-time leader, Yoweri Museveni.

August 18, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Leadership Council of the opposition Sudan Call alliance Sunday reiterated its rejection of the re-election of incumbent President Omer al-Bashir for a third term and adopted a plan to resist government plans to amend the constitution.

Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) earlier this month endorsed al-Bashir as its candidate for 2020 elections and decided to amend its statute before to amend the Sudanese constitution which limits an elected president to two terms in office.

In a statement issued at the end of a meeting held in the French capital Paris on Sunday, the alliance which gathers political and military groups said they decided to intensify the internal mobilisation and to carry out an international campaign against al-Bashir's re-election.

"The Leadership Council adopted a plan to resist amending the Constitution through a joint action with all the opposition (forces), says a statement released at the end of the meeting on Sunday evening.

"The alliance will launch a public and legal campaign, and will reach out international organizations, countries and parliaments". Further, they will take advantage of the lessons learnt from the successful campaign that forced Congo's President Joseph Kabila to abandon his bid for a third term, stressed the statement.

Several opposition groups including some Sudan Call members said they would participate in the 2020 elections if al-Bashir does not run for president again.

Several political forces had the idea that the future elections would provide the opportunity to achieve peaceful change in Sudan paving the way for democratic changes.

The Sudanese authorities prevented three members of the Leadership Council from travelling to Paris. The restrictive measure is imposed against the opponents every time the Sudan Call holds a meeting.

The government says opposition parties are not allowed to conclude alliances with the armed groups that fight the national army.

The statement said the alliance received two applications for the Sudan Call membership but it does not disclose the names of the applicants.

Earlier this week, the Sudan Call executive body announced the participation in its meetings for the first time of two representatives of the Internally Displaced People (IDP) and refugees.

(ST)