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Congo has called on the European Union to recall its ambassador to Brazzaville over EU criticism of President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s controversial re-election in March, Congolese and EU officials said on Saturday.

“We have formally written to Brussels to ask for the recall of EU ambassador (Saskia de Lang), who is engaging in activism activities that are contrary to the Vienna Convention,” a Congolese foreign ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The letter, signed by Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso, was sent on May 9, the official said.

We have formally written to Brussels to ask for the recall of (EU) ambassador (Saskia de Lang), who is engaging in activism activities that are contrary to the Vienna Convention

In its response on May 17, Brussels expressed its unwavering support for the EU representative, warning that “any decision from your side with regards to her will affect the relationship of trust between the EU and Congo”, an EU spokesman in Congo said.

Relations between Brussels and Brazzaville have turned sour since EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini criticised the March 20 presidential election, which saw Sassou Nguesso’s 32-year grip on power extended for another five years.

Sassou Nguesso’s win only became possible after an October constitutional referendum ended a two-term limit on presidential mandates, allowing the former paratrooper to run again in a move denounced by his opponents as “a coup”.

Congo has been on edge ever since, with deadly clashes erupting in the capital that pitted government forces against suspected rebels.

After the vote, Mogherini denounced “the grave shortcomings of electoral governance” in Congo.

“The post-election process was marred by human rights violations, arrests and intimidation of the opposition and the media,” she said.

“This brings into question the credibility of the results.”

The United States had also expressed dismay in April at the conduct of the elections.

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Rita Akana

23.May.2016

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The Pentagon says it launched an airstrike in Afghanistan Saturday targeting Mullah Akhtar Mansur, the Taliban's overall leader. The Pentagon is still assessing the results of the airstrike to determine whether he was killed.

"Today, the Department of Defense conducted an airstrike that targeted Taliban leader Mullah Mansur in a remote area of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region," said Peter Cook, the Pentagon's Press Secretary in a statement released Saturday.

"Mansur has been the leader of the Taliban and actively involved with planning attacks against facilities in Kabul and across Afghanistan, presenting a threat to Afghan civilians and security forces, our personnel, and Coalition partners," Cook said. "We are still assessing the results of the strike and will provide more information as it becomes available.

"Mansur has been an obstacle to peace and reconciliation between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, prohibiting Taliban leaders from participating in peace talks with the Afghan government that could lead to an end to the conflict," he said.

"Since the death of Mullah Omar and Mansur's assumption of leadership, the Taliban have conducted many attacks that have resulted in the death of tens of thousands of Afghan civilians and Afghan security forces as well as numerous U.S. and Coalition personnel," he added.

Mansur assumed the leadership of the Taliban in July, 2015 after the group publicly disclosed that its previous leader Mullah Omar had died of natural causes in 2013 in Pakistan.

Mansur's leadership had resulted in some initial friction within the Taliban.

There are 9,800 American military service members in a training and advisory mission for Afghan troops. The majority of them stay on their bases to conduct their training, but some special operations forces still partner with their Afghan counterparts to advise them during missions.

The use of airstrikes in Afghanistan has been limited since the start of the training mission last year. Airstrikes could only be used against the Taliban if the group posed an immediate danger to Afghan or U.S. troops. In December the rules were expanded to allow the targeting of ISIS forces in Afghanistan. There was no change to the authorization of counter terrorism airstrikes against the remaining small al Qaeda presence in Afghanistan.

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Rita Akana

21.May.2016

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Tanzania’s Home Affairs minister has been sacked by the country’s president for turning up to parliament and answering questions while under the influence of alcohol, the presidency said late on Friday.

Charles Kitwanga is the first minister to be fired since the cabinet’s appointment. Analysts said his sacking came as a surprise as he was widely viewed as being close to Magufuli.

President John Magufuli, who took office in November, has promised to tackle corruption and inefficiency in government. He has sacked several senior officials for graft and cut spending he deemed wasteful, such as scrapping official Christmas cards.

The presidential State House said in a statement Kitwanga was sacked after he “turned up drunk to parliament and responded to a question directed to the Ministry of Home Affairs while being in a drunken state.”

It did not say when the episode took place.

Kitwanga had previously faced calls to quit before the incident by lawmakers who criticized his handling of the ministry. Kitwanga could not immediately be reached for comment.

Government red tape and official corruption have often been blamed by businesses for slowing down or deterring investment in the poor African nation, which has discovered offshore gas reserves that it is seeking to develop.

Magufuli has said would impose discipline on the civil service and public institutions.

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Rita Akana

21.May.2016

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Egypt's military displayed wreckage and personal belongings found in the search for EgyptAir Flight 804 as searchers scoured the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday for the aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders.

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Rita Akana

20.May.2016

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The Governor of Adamawa State in Nigeria, Muhammad Bindow is on a two day visit to Garoua,capital of the Northen Region of Cameroon.The Nigerian Politician was received by The Governor of the Northern Region, The Governor of Adamawa State in Nigeria, Muhammad Bindow is on a two day visit to Garoua,capital of the Northern Region of Cameroon.The Nigerian Politician was received by The Governor of the Northen Region, Jean Abate Edii

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Rita Akana

19.May.2016

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Cameroon Air Force has deployed about 19 air-crafts to take part in the airshow today 19th May 2016 and during the Military Parade on National Day on 20th May 2016.

The much bigger deployment of combat helicopters and fighter jets will take part in the highly coordinated air spectacle in the skies of Yaoundé.

The upgrade in number and quality of military hardware and aircraft for the manoeuvres compared to last year is one of the main innovations in the air demonstrations, The Air Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Jean Calvin Momha said.

He added that for the first time Special Forces will be taking part in the air parade alongside the air force.
During a coordination meeting at the end of final rehearsals at the 101 Military Airbase in Yaoundé, officers in charge of each of the components of the Air Force involved in the show assured the commander that all materials are set and the soldiers are highly skilled and motivated.

The General gave last minutes directives to his troops who received instructions to produce a memorable air show worthy of the tie between the army and the nation in the fight against terrorism.

The day was marked by a joint military dinner for all soldiers of the Air Force irrespective of rank, in strict military tradition. The event was presided over by the Secretary General in the Ministry of Defence in the presence of top military officers from other corps of the Defence Forces.

The event which also served as a ticker to National Day celebration at the Air base was spiced with music from some renowned artists like Coco Argente, Atango de Managa.
The general noted that the reception is a symbol of the resilience of the army and the nation in the face of terrorist challenges.

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Rita Akana

19.May.2016

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