April 17, 2013 News

Continue reading for stories including an analysis of France's involvement in the Mali crisis, the implications surrounding the return of exiled Rwandan politicians from the diaspora, the continuation of a legal battle between Nelson Mandela's granddaughter and George Bizos, a constitutional amendment supporting term limits in Uganda, William Ruto's decision to not be present during his trial at the ICC, and the confrontations between Seleka rebels and the local population at Bangui.

The campaign stretches out
"France had airlifted 4,000 troops to Mali and sent another 2,000 from its bases in Chad and Côte d'Ivoire. Initially, French President François Hollande's government had said that all French troops would be out after elections were organised: they are scheduled for July. However, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who has been sceptical about the operation from the start, announced on a 5 April visit to Bamako that France would maintain a 'support force' of 1,000 soldiers in Mali on a 'permanent basis'. This was France's first public commitment to a long-term military presence. It was more forceful coming from the cautious Fabius rather than the more bullish Defence Minister, Jean-Yves le Drian."
To read the full article, visit the Africa Confidential site here

Rwanda: Internal Political Shifts in Rwanda Triggered By Returning Diaspora Politicians
"Former Rwandan Prime Minister Faustin Twagiramungu and Gérard Karangwa Semushi announce their return to Kigali to run for presidential elections in 2017."
To read the full article, visit the AllAfrica site here

Rift with Bizoz over Mandela companies deepens
"A granddaughter of Nelson Mandela has harshly criticised lawyer George Bizos in an escalation of a dispute over funds linked to SA's former president."
To read the full article, visit the Mail & Guardian site here

Bill on term limits goes to Uganda parliament
"With fears of Uganda retrogressing towards a life presidency, political activists and some members of parliament have kicked off a campaign they hope will lead to an amendment of the Constitution to restore presidential term limits."
To read the full article, visit The East African site here

Ruto seeks to waive right to appear before ICC
"Deputy President William Ruto has applied to the International Criminal Court, to be allowed to waive his right to be present in person during the court proceedings."
To read the full article, visit The Standard – Kenya site here

Centrafrique : affrontements et lynchages à Bangui
A little more than three weeks after the fall of François Bozizé, the chaos continues in Bangui. At the end of last week, twenty people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between members of Seleka and the population. Tuesday morning, angry residents attacked the former rebels and lynched at least one of them in a northern district of the capital.
To read the full article, visit the Jeune Afrique site here