February, 2018

• 16 February

  Archbishop Tutu quits as Oxfam ambassador over aid agency’s sex scandal

  South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu stepped down as an ambassador for Oxfam on Thursday, citing disappointment at the British aid agency’s embroilment in a sex scandal involving staff in Haiti after a massive 2010 earthquake. Employees of Oxfam International, which groups about 20 national and regional branches in 90 countries, have been accused of raping women in South Sudan, …

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• 16 February

  Two-thirds of SPD supporters back German grand coalition

  Two-thirds of supporters of Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) back forming a coalition government with Angela Merkel’s conservatives, an opinion poll published on Friday shows. The poll conducted by Kantar Emnid for the Funke group of regional newspapers showed that 66 percent want a “grand coalition” and only 30 percent favour new elections, while 78 percent of supporters of the conservatives …

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• 16 February

  Britain to add Nigeria’s naira to list of accepted trade currencies

  Britain’s Export Finance Agency will add the naira to its list of “pre-approved currencies”, allowing it to provide financing for transactions with Nigerian businesses denominated in the local currency. The naira will become one of three West African currencies that UK Export Finance has pre-approved for its programme of funding transactions that promote trade with Britain, it said. Britain voted …

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• 15 February

  Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Resigns

  Ethiopia’s prime minister has announced he will resign, in what he says is an effort to advance reforms aimed at easing the country’s political unrest. Speaking on state television Thursday, Hailemariam Desalegn said he has submitted his letter of resignation as both prime minister and chairman of the ruling EPRDF coalition. Hailemariam said he is stepping down “to be part …

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• 15 February

  Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa’s new president

  Cyril Ramaphosa, head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has been sworn is as South Africa’s president, fewer than 24 hours after the resignation of embattled ex-leader Jacob Zuma. “I will try very hard not to disappoint the people of South Africa,” Ramaphosa (65) said on Thursday as he ended his speech to parliament, shortly after the Parliament elected …

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• 15 February

  Sunday Oliseh speaks out on why Dutch club sacked him as coach

  Sunday Oliseh said he was suspended from his job at Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands due to his refusal to participate in illegal activities at the club. The 43-year-old former Super Eagles coach was relieved of his duties as coach on Wednesday via a statement on the club’s website “www.fortunasittard.nl”. “The club management makes this decision as a result of the repeatedly culpable …

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• 15 February

  Zimbabwe opposition leader dies

  Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has died aged 65 after a lengthy battle with cancer, party officials announced on Wednesday. The Vice President of his Movement for Democratic Change said the family has confirmed his death and that he passed away in hospital in South Africa, where he had been receiving treatment. “I can confirm that he died this evening. …

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• 15 February

  Ethiopia frees top journalist after 7 years in jail

  Ethiopian journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega has finally been released from a prison facility after seven years in jail. Nega was among the over 740 prisoners who were set for release by the federal government as part of political reforms announced in January 2018. His release comes barely a week after he reportedly refused to sign a ‘false confession form’ …

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• 15 February

  South Africa: Zuma finally bows to pressure, resigns as president

  Jacob Zuma has resigned as president of South Africa with immediate effect, state television announced Wednesday night. Mr. Zuma, 75, has led South Africa since 2009. His resignation came a day after he was asked to resign by his party, the African National Congress (ANC), as a result of corruption allegations and his connection to the Gupta family in South …

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• 14 February

  South Africa: President Zuma defies ANC, faces impeachment  

  South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma has criticised his party, the Africa National Congress (ANC) for recalling him without taking him through the party’s disciplinary processes.  “Why cut it now. I do have a problem, I joined the ANC when I was very young. I have been going to places knowing that I could be killed. It’s the first time that …

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