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Mr Guelleh has been in power since 1999

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh wins fourth term

Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has won a landslide victory in an election criticised by opposition parties and rights groups.

Officials said Mr Guelleh won 87% of Friday's vote, which activists complained was preceded by political repression and curbs on basic freedoms.

Idriss Deby is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders

Chad votes as Idriss Deby eyes fifth term

The people of Chad are voting in a presidential election widely expected to deliver President Idriss Deby a fifth term in office.

Mr Deby, who took power in a coup 26 years ago, is seen by Western governments as a bulwark against Islamist militants in central Africa.

Gambian First Lady Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh

The Gambia uses multi-sectoral approach to empower women

The first lady of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia, Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh, says that country has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to the empowerment of its women.

In line with this, she said, the government had been investing in vocational and skills training for the youth and women and facilitating their access to grants and concessionary financing to enhance employment and self-employment.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma faces impeachment vote

South Africa's parliament is due to vote on an opposition-sponsored motion to impeach President Jacob Zuma.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said he was no longer fit to govern after the country's highest court ruled last week that he had breached the constitution by failing to repay public money used to upgrade his private residence.

The governing African National Congress (ANC) is expected to defeat the motion.

The Nkandla residence has become a political headache for President Zuma

Anti-apartheid veteran Kathrada calls for Zuma to resign

A South African anti-apartheid veteran has called on President Jacob Zuma to resign following a scandal over improper spending at his private home.

Ahmed Kathrada, who was jailed alongside Nelson Mandela, said that Mr Zuma's resignation would end a "crisis of confidence" in the government.

His Majesty Mohammed VI - King of the Kingdom of Morocco

Africa must be key partner in international cooperation - King Mohammed

Africa owes it to itself to become a key partner in international cooperation mechanisms, and not just a mere object of cooperation or a prize that others vie for.

The continent should no longer be perceived as a vulnerable continent but as a driver of progress.

A man believed to be the hijacker of the EgyptAir Airbus A-32

Fake suicide belt used in Egypt hijack

An Egyptian hijacker who forced a domestic flight to land in Cyprus used a fake suicide belt, officials said.

His motives remain unclear but the Cypriot president said the incident was not terrorism-related.

Boko Haram released an image in 2014 of some of the 270 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok in Nigeria

'Suicide bomber' claims to be missing Nigeria schoolgirl

Authorities in Cameroon and Nigeria are investigating a claim from a would-be suicide bomber that she was one of a group of schoolgirls abducted in 2014.

The Nigerian government is sending parents to Cameroon to attempt to identify the girl.

She told investigators in Cameroon she was one of 270 kidnapped in Chibok by jihadist group Boko Haram.

Nigeria indicts firms over arms fraud contracts

Nigeria has indicted more than 300 local and foreign companies and individuals, including senior military officers, over an arms scandal.

They are accused of defrauding the country of $241m (£170m) in fake contracts, a government statement says.

President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a probe last year after funds meant to buy weapons to fight Boko Haram militants were allegedly diverted.

More than $35m has been recovered in the investigation so far.

Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso wins re-election

Congo President extends 32-year rule

Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso has extended his 32 years in power, winning presidential elections in the first round with 60 percent of the vote, the interior minister said.

Raymond Zephyrin Mboulou, the interior minister, announced the results on national television at 3:30am local time (02:30 GMT) on Thursday after a tense weekend poll held under a communications blackout.

Lionel Zinsou

Benin PM concedes defeat after run-off

Benin's outgoing Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou has conceded defeat to businessman Patrice Talon in Sunday's presidential run-off.

Mr Zinsou posted on Facebook that he had called Mr Talon to congratulate him "on his victory and wish him luck".

Five feared killed in Nigeria's Rivers State polls

The federal and state legislative rerun elections in Rivers State, held yesterday, erupted in violence that led to the death of at least five persons and culminated in the cancellation of polls in four local government areas of the state.

Dynamites, guns and other weapons of violence were used in the elections that were also shadowed by accusations of sloppiness by officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Governor Nyesom Wike, after voting in his Ward 9, Unit 7 in Obio Akpor local government area, was quick to chastise INEC for conducting what he described as a performance below expectation.

Mr Zuma has been dogged by allegations of corruption

South Africa can turn into 'mafia state' — ANC

South Africa risks turning into a "mafia state", a senior governing party official has warned, as pressure grows on President Jacob Zuma over his links with a wealthy family.

Gwede Mantashe made the comments after Deputy Finance Minister Mcebesi Jonas alleged the Gupta family had offered him a government promotion.

Jose Eduardo dos Santos

Angola's Jose Eduardo dos Santos 'to quit' in 2018

Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the second-longest serving African leader, will step down after being in power since 1979, according to state media.

The 73-year old dos Santos announced his decision to quit "active politics" on Friday at a meeting of the central committee of the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the Angolan news agency Angola Press reported.

Benin presidential elections to go for run-off

The people of Benin would have to go to the polls again in a run-off in the next 15 days to elect a new President.

This is because provisional results by the independent electoral commission of Benin indicates that none of the 33 presidential candidates was able to secure the 50 per cent plus one vote to be the outright winner of the March 6 election.

Béninois vote to elect new president

Voting is underway at 13, 539 polling stations  in Benin to elect a successor to President Yayi Boni who has finished his mandatory two terms in office.

Although there are no security at most of the polling stations, voting which started at 7am is going on smooth.

33 candidates contest Benin's presidential elections on March 6

The electorate in the West African nation of Benin will have to select one out of a whopping 33 presidential candidates to replace the outgoing President Yayi Boni on Sunday March 6, 2016.

Yayi Boni has finished his five year two terms in office. During his second term, 16 others contested him.

Jacob Zuma

South Africa leader survives second no confidence vote

South African President Jacob Zuma has survived a second no confidence motion against him in less than a year, held over what the opposition deemed his reckless handling of the economy.

The vote on Tuesday was won on the support of ruling African National Congress (ANC) lawmakers, who control almost two thirds of the assembly.

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