Africa Up Close

Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today’s In the News post are updates on Mali’s new president, Kenya’s move to pull out of ICC, further Sudan/South Sudan peace settlements, the M23 rebels, and court ordered news station closings in Egypt.

Mali’s new President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita sworn in
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been sworn in as Mali’s new president at the Supreme Court in the capital, Bamako. Before he took his oath of office, transitional leader Dioncounda Traore handed over power at a ceremony inside the presidential palace. Mr Keita, a former prime minister, won last month’s run-off election. The election of the new president is intended to restore normality after a coup and French-led military action against Islamist rebels in the north. –BBC

Former Presidential candidate Peter Kenneth criticises move to pull Kenya out of ICC
Kenya National Congress leader Peter Kenneth has criticized the attempt by parliamentarians to pull out Kenya from membership of International Criminal Court ( ICC). This follows the anticipation of opening of parliament on Thursday this week earlier than scheduled to debate on the matter in both houses simultaneously. “I however oppose the action by our parliamentarians and their motive on the ICC.” Kenneth who unsuccessfully vied for Presidency in previous general election stated. Adding an attempt to pull Kenya out of Rome statute will not serve any meaningful purpose. He viewed the move as an “unnecessary distraction” calling it an exercise in futility with regard to the cases currently before the court. -Standard Digital

Sudan lifts blockage threat amid new peace vows
Sudan lifted a threat to block oil exports from its old enemy South Sudan, as the leaders of the African neighbours met on Tuesday and promised to end their festering conflicts. The countries have fought over disputed territory and accused each other of fuelling rebellions in their territories since the South declared independence from Sudan in 2011. Under international pressure to reach a deal and boost stability in a fractured region, South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan al-Bashir held a one-day summit in Khartoum. –BDLive

DRC’s M23: ‘We didn’t start the war’
The Movement of March 23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo has written to the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, seeking to clear themselves of any blame for the conflict that ravaged that country’s North Kivu province last week. M23 chairperson Bertrand Bisimwa claimed in the letter that his movement did not start the war; they did not shoot into neighbouring Rwanda or Goma and other towns. Instead, Bisimwa said UN peacekeeping unit Monusco is “committed to pursue war against our movement”. -Mail & Guardian

Court orders closure of Al-Jazeera Egypt, Brotherhood TV
A Cairo court Tuesday ordered the closure of four television channels, including Al-Jazeera Egypt and Ahrar 25, a network belonging to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. The other two channels to be closed are the Islamist broadcasters Al-Yarmuk and Al-Quds, according to the court order. The closure comes a day after Islamist broadcaster Al-Hafez was ordered shut following accusations that it was “inciting hatred” against Coptic Christians and “undermining national unity”. -Daily Nation