Africa (except North Africa)

GABORONE, Nov 3 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi was sworn in as Botswana’s fifth president.

Masisi and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) emerged victorious in last week’s general election. The ceremony took place in the parliament in the capital Gaborone.

In his acceptance speech, the president pledged to uphold the rule of law and to relentlessly fight corruption.

LILONGWE, Nov 3 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Malawi’s constitutional court has suspended its requirement that lawyers and judges wear traditional white wigs and black robes in the courtroom as an early season heatwave sweeps the southern African nation.

Temperatures in some parts of the country have hit 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, the country’s Department of Meteorological Services said.

Malawi, a former British protectorate, still follows the British legal system, with the wearing of wigs and robes a requirement for judges and lawyers.

3 November 2019; AFP: The Islamic State on Saturday claimed responsibility for a devastating raid that killed 49 Malian troops as well as a blast that led to the death of a French soldier who became the latest casualty in the conflict-torn region.

The strikes underscored the fragility of an area straddling several West African countries battling increasing jihadist violence that has claimed hundreds of lives.

ABUJA, Nov 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s top court has dismissed an appeal by main opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar to overturn the result of February’s presidential vote in which President Muhammadu Buhari won re-election.

“We have examined all the briefs and the exhibits for over two weeks and we agree that there is no merit in this appeal,” Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad said following the Supreme Court’s judgement.

“The appeal is dismissed,” he concluded in a decision made unanimously with six court justices.

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Jihadists attacked the Malian military near the border with Niger, leaving at least 53 soldiers and one civilian dead, in the second major assault against the country’s armed forces in a month, the government said Saturday.

The latest violence to target Mali’s armed forces took place Friday in Indelimane, located in Mali’s volatile Menaka region.

PRETORIA, October 31. /TASS/: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has highlighted the importance of relations with Russia stressing that Nigeria will never forget Moscow’s assistance to its central government during the civil war in that African country.

JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudan’s main opposition accused the government on Wednesday of failing to push through a peace deal and called for a six-month delay in the formation of a unity administration, casting a shadow over efforts to end years of fighting.

The spokesman for former rebel leader Riek Machar said he did not believe he would be able to join a unity government on Nov. 12 - a deadline agreed in September after months of talks, broken ceasefires and pressure from the United Nations, the United States and regional powers.

GABORONE, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mokgweetsi Masisi has officially been declared the winner and president of Botswana.

Masisi’s victory was announced on Friday morning by the country’s chief justice, who is also the convener of elections according to the Constitution.

Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) attained the 29 constituencies out of 57 required to form government

The opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change has 12, the new Botswana Patriotic Front – backed by former president Ian Khama – has three seats while the Alliance of Progressives has one.

GABORONE, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi has won Botswana's general elections after his party garnered majority in the national assembly, the chief justice said on Friday.

On Wednesday, the southern African country held its general elections for the 57 members of the national assembly and 490 councilors countrywide.

HARARE, Oct 24 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — At least 55 elephants have starved to death in the past two months in Zimbabwe’s biggest national park as a serious drought forces animals to stray into nearby communities in search of food and water, authorities said.

“The problem is real, the situation is dire,” said National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesman Tinashe Farawo. Other animals such as lions at Hwange National Park have been affected.