Continental view - Africa
Darfur's accused want western forces out of Sudan
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Thursday, 13, Mar 2008 04:43
A selection of the top news stories making the headlines in Africa in the last two months.
Annan's labours bear fruit
Ongoing political pressure finally brought defeated Kenyan presidential candidate Raila Odinga a peace deal on February 28th.
That followed a month of frustrations as UN secretary general Kofi Annan struggled to find common ground between him and rival Mwai Kibaki.
Allegations of electoral fraud in the disputed December 27th election had prompted a wave of violence which left over 1,000 dead by February 5th.
Clashes focused on Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe, perceived as holding monopolies on the country's political and business sectors.
Initial reports of agreement on February 8th did not last and it took Mr Annan's suspension of mediation talks to finally force the two sides to hash out a deal.
As the Kenyan parliament begins debating legislation implementing the proposed reforms, which include Mr Odinga's installation in a new prime minister's role, there is uncertainty about whether the agreement will hold up.
A power tussle over who controls the government, chairs cabinet and appoints ministers appears to be begun even before Mr Odinga takes office.
February 28th: Kenyan political leaders sign power-sharing agreement
Economic crisis, but Mugabe still on track to win
Hard evidence of Zimbabwe's failure to control its economy appeared on February 14th when figures showed its hyperinflation rate increased to over 66,000 per cent in December 2007.
But analysts say president Robert Mugabe, who has called his opponents "witches" and "charlatans", is still likely to win the upcoming March 29th poll.
On March 1st a key member of the ruling Zanu-PF party, former interior minister Dumiso Dabengwa, said he would be supporting Simba Makoni in the poll.
His candidacy makes the contest a three-way race, with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai also campaigning for the presidency.
Click here for a summary of the situation in Zimbabwe.
The battle for N'Djamena
A rebel attempt to depose Chad's president Idriss Deby was defeated after two days of heavy fighting in the central African country's capital N'Djamena at the beginning of February.
Tanks and gunships were deployed in the battle, which saw thousands of residents flee into neighbouring Cameroon.
The initial attack on the presidential palace was resisted as Mr Deby, who himself came to power in a coup 18 years ago, accused Sudan of backing the rebels.
His generals even threatened an attack on Khartoum in response. Both the UN and African Union condemned the fighting and called for an immediate end to hostilities.
February 2nd: Chad claims rebel battle victory
Divided blame over Darfur
The Darfur crisis in Sudan prompted recriminations from both sides of the fence in the last two months.
Ahmad Harun, Khartoum's humanitarian affairs minister who is wanted for crimes against humanity by the international criminal court, said on February 27th the west should end its intervention in the region immediately
He said the conflict was a result of Khartoum "assum[ing] its natural position of defending and protecting its citizens", although he admits "mistakes" have been made.
A day later Human Rights Watch (HRW) attacked the UN for not doing enough to condemn the Sudanese government's activities.
In its letter addressed to the security council, HRW says the UN's inaction has "given Sudan a green light to continue attacking civilian targets, flouting international law and security council resolutions".
Click here for a summary of the situation in Darfur.
Other major developments
January 29th - Car bomb kills two. A suicide bombing in Thenia in Algeria saw at least 20 people wounded in an attack believed to be targeting police.
Click here for full story
February 3rd - 38 killed in African quakes. A series of earthquakes struck Rwanda and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving hundreds injured. Seismic activity is common in the region.
Click here for full story
February 12th - Meningitis epidemic threat. The UN warned an epidemic was threatening the lives of up to one million people in central Africa.
Click here for full story