DRC military leaders sign pledge to combat rape

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New York - DRC army commanders have signed a declaration to combat rape in war, a move the United Nations welcomed as an important step in the fight against sexual violence during conflicts.

The declaration, signed in Congo's capital, Kinshasa, is part of a government plan adopted in September to end sexual violence by soldiers.

It requires every DRC military commander to pledge to take a series of actions including respecting human rights and international humanitarian law on sexual violence in conflict, ensuring prosecution of alleged perpetrators under their command, and sensitizing soldiers to the "zero tolerance policy" on sexual violence in conflict.

Zainab Hawa Bangura, the UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict, said Tuesday the declaration is "a giant leap forward in the fight" against rape in war.

Kenya announces plans to reopen Nairobi mall after attack

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Nairobi - Kenya's Westgate mall, the scene of a four-day siege in late 2013 that left dozens dead, will reopen to the public in July for the first time since the attack, officials said on Monday.

The announcement came after officials toured the Westgate site, once a symbol of Kenya's growing wealth and cosmopolitan flair, and later of the security threat posed by the Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab.

"Terrorism could have maimed and killed our loved ones but they did not succeed in killing our spirit and resolve to rebuild," Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said in a statement.

"I will ensure the mall is restored to its former glory."

A spokesperson for Kidero said the high-end mall in the capital would formally open its doors to the public on 1 July, but shops, cafes and restaurants would not start up again until some months later.

A spokesman for the company charged with the rebuilding did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At least 67 people were killed in September 2013 when al-Shabaab gunman stormed Westgate, tossing grenades, spraying shoppers with bullets and holding parts of the building for days.

Live images from the scene, including smoke pouring from its roof, were broadcast around the world.

In the 18 months since the attack, al-Shabaab has regularly hit Kenya. Gunmen took over a bus in Kenya's remote northeast last November and executed 28 non-Muslim passengers.

The group says the attacks are in response to Kenya's deployment of troops in an African Union-led force that has been beating back the militants in Somalia.

The attacks have battered Kenya's safari and beach tourism industry. European nations, the United States and Australia have issued travel advisories cautioning their citizens from visiting parts of the country due to the security threats.

Last week, Britain toughened its warning, telling them to avoid most resorts on the coast, including the region's main airport at Mombasa.

Kenya's government has criticised the warnings, saying its security forces are thwarting attacks.

Jubilant Buhari supporters chant: Change, change

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Abuja - Nigeria's former military leader Muhammadu Buhari claimed a historic election victory in Africa's most populous country on Tuesday, sending thousands of jubilant supporters into the streets chanting "change, change".

Buhari's campaign spokesperson said incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan had called the retired general to concede defeat in the most closely fought election in Nigeria's history.

If confirmed, this would be the first ever democratic change of power in Nigeria and cap a remarkable comeback for the 72-year-old, who headed a short-lived military regime in the 1980s.

With just one state to declare, Buhari is virtually guaranteed victory.

Thousands of jubilant Buhari supporters poured into the streets in celebration, many in northern Nigeria which has borne the brunt of the bloody six-year Boko Haram uprising.

Many brandished brooms to symbolise his promise to clean up corruption in the oil-rich country of 173 million people.

"President Jonathan called at 17:15 (16:15 GMT)," his campaign spokesperson Shehu Garba said. Asked by AFP if Jonathan conceded, he said: "Yes, and General Buhari has accepted and thanks him for this."

There was no immediate comment from Jonathan, his spokesperson or the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), but Buhari's wife Aisha took to Twitter to celebrate.

"We see this as a triumphant show of democracy, a change for the better," she wrote.

Bukhari had told AFP he was "very confident" of victory as counting of votes showed him pulling well ahead of Jonathan.

With 36 out of 37 results in, his All Progressives Congress (APC) had won 20 states, while Jonathan's PDP was on 15, plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.

The final result is awaited from Borno state, the heart of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency.

"Change, change," chanted opposition supporters in the northern city of Kaduna.

In Kano, some young men donned black fedoras - which his rival Jonathan is rarely seen without - and put suitcases on their heads to mock the president as people chanted "Out of Aso Rock" (the presidential villa).

Buhari won a landslide victory in Kano, Nigeria's second most-populous state, securing more than 1.9 million votes and 89% of the vote.

"This is the first time the opposition has voted a government out of power in Nigeria's history," said APC spokesperson Lai Mohammed.

Buhari was more than 2.75 million votes ahead of 57-year-old Jonathan, after winning in the northern states of Yobe and Adamawa.

The retired army general won the key prize of Lagos in the southwest but at one point his lead was cut to 500 000 votes after landslide victories for Jonathan in his southern Delta homeland.

Buhari, making his fourth run at the presidency, has been buoyed by frustration over endemic corruption, criticism over Jonathan's handling of the Boko Haram insurgency and a stronger opposition.

Sit-down protest 

There was a brief protest by Jonathan's PDP before the count resumed on Tuesday.

Former Niger Delta minister Godsday Orubebe accused elections chief Attahiru Jega of being "partial" and "selective".

Orubebe claimed Jega had refused to investigate PDP complaints about big wins by Buhari in northern states but had launched a probe into claims by the APC of irregularities in Rivers.

Jega said later: "I don't believe that the allegations are substantial enough to require the cancellation or rescheduling of the elections in Rivers state. We will take the results."

International observers gave broadly positive reactions to the conduct of the vote, despite late delivery of election materials and technical glitches with new voter authentication devices.

Nigeria's Transition Monitoring Group, which had observers across the country, said: "These issues did not systematically disadvantage any candidate or party."

Fear of violence 

Violence has often flared in previous Nigerian elections after the winner is announced and the United States and Britain warned against any "interference" with the count.

"So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process," US Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a joint statement on Monday.

"But there are disturbing indications that the collation process - where the votes are finally counted - may be subject to deliberate political interference."

Kayode Idowu, spokesperson for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), told AFP that there was "no evidence of political interference".

Jubilant opposition supporters also took to the streets in Kaduna, one of the areas worst-affected by violence four years ago when some 1 000 people were killed in post-election clashes.

Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, president of the Northern People Unity and Reconciliation Union, warned that places such as Kaduna remained a powderkeg and could "catch fire", particularly if electoral fraud is suspected.

About 2 000 women protesting against the conduct of the elections were teargassed on Monday as they tried to converge on the local electoral commission offices in the southern oil city of Port Harcourt.

The protest over alleged vote rigging by the PDP - and a counter-protest demanding the results hold - forced the Rivers state government to impose an overnight curfew.

Nigeria election: Muhammadu Buhari wins

BBC News

Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari has become the first opposition candidate to win presidential elections in Nigeria.

Gen Buhari's party said his opponent, incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, had admitted defeat and congratulated him.

Mr Jonathan trailed Gen Buhari by about two million votes when he conceded.

Observers have generally praised the election but there have been allegations of fraud, which some fear could lead to protests and violence.

Live election updates

"President Jonathan called General Muhammadu Buhari, the winner of the elections, to congratulate him," Lai Mohammed, a spokesman for Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC), said.

The spokesman praised Mr Jonathan, saying: "He will remain a hero for this move. The tension will go down dramatically."

"Anyone who tries to foment trouble on the account that they have lost the election will be doing so purely on his own," he added.

Analysis: Will Ross, BBC Nigeria correspondent, Abuja

Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Muhammadu Buhari agreed last week to respect the outcome of the polls

This is a hugely significant moment in Nigeria's turbulent history. Never before has a sitting president been defeated in an election.

Since independence from Britain in 1960, there have been numerous coups and most elections have been rigged. Of course in a close election there will be many voters who are not pleased with this outcome but the whole process is a sign that democracy is deepening in Nigeria.

The poll has once again brought to the surface dangerous religious and regional differences and there is still a threat of violence.

The man who has been voted out, Goodluck Jonathan, has played a huge part today in trying to prevent that. He made the phone call when there would no doubt have been some in his camp who would have preferred to dig their heels in.

Results at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) showed Gen Buhari with 15 million votes, and Mr Jonathan with 12.8 million votes.

Results have been declared in all states, except for Borno, which is viewed as one of the APC's strongholds.

Gen Buhari's supporters took to the streets in the northern cities of Kano and Kaduna, singing and dancing in celebration.

Gen Buhari's supporters filled the streets after news of his victory emerged

It is the fourth time the former military ruler, 72, has sought the presidency.

He ruled Nigeria from January 1984 until August 1985, taking charge after a military coup in December 1983.

Mr Jonathan had led Nigeria since 2010, initially as acting leader before winning elections in 2011.

Nigeria has suffered from several attacks by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has killed thousands of people in its drive to establish an Islamic state.

Many voters have said that they believe Gen Buhari is better positioned to defeat Boko Haram.

Tunisia avoid 2017 Nations Cup ban

BBC Sports

Tunisia have avoided a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations ban after apologising to the Confederation of African Football for accusing the governing body of bias.

The Tunisians had made the allegations over a controversial penalty in aNations Cup quarter-final defeat by Equatorial Guinea on 31 January.

Caf has, however, rejected Tunisia's appeal against a $50,000 fine for violent conduct by its players.

Furious Tunisia players had tried to attack the referee after the game.

The north Africans were incensed when Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn awarded the tournament hosts a penalty in the dying minutes which allowed them to take the game to extra-time and ultimately triumph 2-1.

Tunisian officials accused Caf of bias against it for the contentious decision.

Seechurn was banned for six months by Caf for his performance in the match.

And Caf threatened Tunisia with expulsion from the preliminary tournament of the next Nations Cup if it did not receive an apologise by 31 March.

Tunisia initially refused to do so and lodged a protest with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which they have now agreed to withdraw.

Trevor Noah to replace Jon Stewart on The Daily Show

BBC News

South African comedian Trevor Noah is to replace Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, the New York Times reports.

The 31-year-old made his debut as a contributor to the nightly satirical show last December.

His first appearance took aim at racial tensions in the US, saying: "I never thought I'd be more afraid of police in America than in South Africa."

Stewart announced he would be stepping down in January. He has hosted the influential comedy show for 16 years.

The presenter has yet to set a timetable for his departure, but the selection of a replacement should make the task easier.

Producers will want to give Noah time to settle into this new role before next year's Presidential election.

Speaking to the New York Times from Dubai, where he is on tour, the comedian expressed disbelief at his appointment.

"You don't believe it for the first few hours," he said. "You need a stiff drink, and then unfortunately you're in a place where you can't really get alcohol."

"I'm thrilled for the show and for Trevor," said Stewart in a statement. "He's a tremendous comic and talent that we've loved working with."

South African reaction: Milton Nkosi, Johannesburg

South Africans are overjoyed at the news that their compatriot will succeed Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. It was even the lead story in some local news bulletins.

The Soweto-born comedian is a much-loved figure here. In a polarised country like South Africa he cuts across racial divisions with his great sense of humour.

The department of Arts and Culture told me it was great news.

"No doubt this is a big development for Mr Noah's career and a resounding statement that South Africa has the artistic talent of international stature and calibre," said spokesman Sandile Memela.

"We wish to congratulate him on this significant achievement."

Trevor Noah's funniest jokes

Who is Trevor Noah?

The star added he "may rejoin [The Daily Show] as a correspondent just to be a part of it!"

Comedian Chris Rock, who had been touted as a possible replacement for Stewart,tweeted: "Thank you President Obama"

Under Stewart's guidance, The Daily Show has become one of the most important political programmes on US television.

Red Cross aid worker killed in Mali

BBC News

A Red Cross employee has been killed and another injured in a gun attack by suspected Islamist militants in Mali, the aid organisation says.

Armed men opened fired on an aid vehicle as it travelled from Gao to Niamey in neighbouring Niger to pick up medical supplies.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement that it was "profoundly dismayed" by the killing.

Islamist militant group Mujao told AFP that it had carried out the attack.

The nationality of the ICRC worker who was killed has not yet been released.

"He was driving to collect much-needed medical equipment for a Gao hospital," said Yasmine Praz Dessimoz, head of operations for North and West Africa.

"His death is not only a tragedy for his family and for the ICRC, it will affect the life and well-being of tens of thousands of people," she added.

The injured worker was a member of the national Mali Red Cross and is in a stable condition in hospital.

The vehicle the pair were travelling in was clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem and was later burned.

"The ICRC is concerned about the rise in violence against humanitarian workers, which is preventing them from coming to the aid of individuals and communities in dire need," Ms Praz Dessimoz said.

A spokesman for Mujao, Abou Walid Sahraoui, was quoted by AFP as saying: "We have achieved what we wanted with this attack."

Mujao, which stands for Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, was formed in 2011 to spread jihad across West Africa and it believed to be a well-disciplined group.

Mali's desert north suffers frequent militant attacks despite a French-led operation to drive out Islamist fighters in 2013.

Earlier this month, a rocket attack on a UN base in Kidal killed a Chadian peacekeeper and two children.

Uganda prosecutor in al-Shabab bomb case shot dead

BBC News

Joan Kagezi, the top Ugandan state prosecutor in the trial of 13 men accused of a deadly al-Shabab bomb attack, has been shot dead in Kampala.

Ms Kagezi was targeted on her way home by motorbike gunmen, officials say.

The trial of the men, accused of links to the 2010 Kampala suicide bombing which killed 76 people, has been suspended.

Last week, the US embassy in Uganda warned of a possible "terrorist" attack.

Ms Kagezi, the senior principal state attorney, headed the directorate of public prosecution's anti-terrorism and war crimes division.

Kampala police spokesman Patrick Onyango said: "They were trailing her on a motorcycle... They shot her dead."

Defendants in the 2010 bombing trial attending court last Thursday

Ms Kagezi was taken to the main hospital in the capital but died on the way.

Her children were with her in the car but weren't harmed in the shooting, according to a statement by the Ugandan Information Minister Jim Muhwezi in the Daily Monitor.

The BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga in Kampala says some Ugandans are now wondering whether Ms Kagezi was given enough protection.

Our correspondent says there is now an increased presence of policemen and soldiers on the streets of the Ugandan capital.

Last week the US said it had "received information of possible threats" at city locations where Western nationals gather.

Uganda's government said the US had warned of a possible suicide bomber trying to enter the country.

Uganda was under threat because it is a key contributor to the African Union mission fighting al-Shabab inside Somalia, a spokesman said.

Marikana mine massacre report given to President Zuma

BBC News

The findings of an inquiry into the killings of 34 miners in South Africa have been given to President Jacob Zuma.

Police shot dead the workers during a protest over wages at the Marikana mine in August 2012, claiming they were acting in self-defence.

The Farlam Commission was set up by Mr Zuma to examine exactly what happened.

Opposition parties and human rights groups want the findings to be made public.

A government statement said Mr Zuma would "prioritise consideration" of the report following his state visit to Algeria.

But Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Regional Director for Southern Africa, said Mr Zuma must make its release "a priority".

"The surviving victims of the tragic events of Marikana and the families of all those who died have a right to receive justice," he said.

No-one has been charged or held responsible for the killings.

Lawyers for the dead miners' families have made accusations of a cover-up, describing the killings as revenge by the police for earlier deaths at the mine.

In the days before the shooting, 10 other people died at the site, including non-striking miners, security guards and two police officers who were hacked to death.

Analysis: Nomsa Maseko, in Johannesburg

South Africa and the world watched in horror when images of police opening fire on thousands of mine workers made headlines in August 2012.

The shooting was described as a watershed moment that would change the country's political landscape. It was the worst violence witnessed in South Africa since the dawn of democracy.

It is expected the commission, which sat for close to two years will bring some reforms. It was also hoped that President Jacob Zuma would make the findings public today, but hasn't done so.

Opposition political parties and human rights groups say if the report is not made public, it will undermine work carried out by the commission.

The inquiry looked at the roles played by the police, the management of the platinum mine, Lonmin, the unions and government.

It heard over 300 hours of evidence, including testimony from South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He was not a member of government at the time of the violence, but he was a non-executive director at Lonmin.

Mr Ramaphosa was accused of putting pressure on police to take action against strikers, but maintained he was trying to prevent further violence.

Libya crisis: Head of Islamist Tripoli government fired

BBC News

The leader of one of Libya's rival governments - backed by Islamists and based in Tripoli - has been sacked by its parliament, officials say.

Omar al-Hassi was appointed in August to lead an alternative government after Islamist militia seized the capital.

MPs voted to oust him on Tuesday following allegations he misled parliament about government finances.

Libya has been in turmoil since the Nato-backed removal of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The country has had two governments and parliaments since Islamist militia seized Tripoli in August and established the General National Congress (GNC) that was led by Mr al-Hassi.

The seizure of Tripoli forced Libya's existing and internationally recognised government to flee to the eastern city of Tobruk.

The rival parliaments have been holding UN-sponsored talks in Morocco in an attempt to end a period of lawlessness which many fear could strengthen militants allied to Islamic State.

GNC spokesman Omar Humeidan told reporters Mr al-Hassi was removed after an investigation revealed he had exaggerated the government's revenues, amid complaints it could not afford to pay salaries.

"The head of the government was dismissed by the parliament in a vote on Tuesday that was backed by the rest of the ministers," a member of the parliament told AFP.

One of his Mr al-Hassi's aides, Khalifa Ghweil, has reportedly taken over as interim leader.

#NigeriaDecides: Presidential Election: Buhari disgraces Jonathan in Borno

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RESULTS FOR BORNO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

REGISTERED VOTERS 1,799, 669
ACCREDITED – 544,759

AA – 145
ACP -243
AD -392
ADC – 201
APA – 878
APC – 473, 543
CPC – 310
HOPE – 88
KOWA – 158
NDP – 107
PDP – 25, 640
PPN – 143
UDP – 31
UPP – 41

TOTAL VALID VOTES – 501, 920
REJECTED VOTES – 13088
TOTAL VOTES CAST – 515, 008
Professor Yaganami Karta (State Collation Officer)

APC candidates win Senate in Kebbi South, central

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Former member of ​the ​House of Representative, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, of the All Progressive Congress​,​ has won the Kebbi South Senatorial zone seat.

Results released by the zonal collation officer, Abdullahi Kangiwa, at the zone collation centre, Zuru​,​ on Monday night indicated that Mr. Na’Allah polled 118,945 votes defeating Sadiq Yalwa of the Peoples Democratic Party who got 57, 264 votes.

Mr. Na’Allah defeated Sadiq Yalwa with a difference of 61, 699 votes.

Also a former Abuja Minister and candidate of the APC in Kebbi Central Senatorial District, Adamu Aliero, also floored his former political associate, Abubakar Gari-Mallam.

According to figures declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission at the Kebbi Central Senatorial zonal collation centre in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, Mr. Aliero won with 216,084 votes against Mr. Gari-Mallam who scored 68,792 votes.

APC candidate vows to challenge Gov. Jang’s senatorial victory

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The Plateau North Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Eunice Sambo, has said she will not accept the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Jonah Jang.

“I will approach the court of law to reclaim my mandate,” Mrs. Sambo stated on Tuesday, at the Nigeria Union of Journalist press center in Jos, where she held a press conference to protest the election results.

INEC, Monday, declared Mr. Jang, the current governor of state, winner of the senatorial election in Plateau North.

According to the results declare by the returning office for Jos North, Iliya Gofwen, Mr. Jang garnered 234,455 votes, while Mrs. Sambo scored 221,274 votes.

However, the APC senatorial candidate insisted, “I am going to go through all the legal processes to reclaim our stolen mandate. I cannot let it go. We must exhaust every legal means to get this mandate back to us. My victory is for the people and they have spoken through the ballot.”

Mrs. Sambo also revealed that agents of the APC at the declaration also rejected the results, refusing to append their signatures to the results sheets.

“We have been adequately briefed by our agents of what transpired, and the arguments they raise, which were not entertained,” she said.

During declaration of the results on Monday by the returning officer, youth at the collation center for the Plateau north senatorial elections protested the results that gave victory to the incumbent Mr. Jang.

Mrs. Sambo sued for peace among supporters of the party, even after the announcement of the presidential election results.

“We also want to use this medium to appreciate the youth for remaining calm across the local governments of the constituency,” she said.

Ex-Head of State, Abubakar, Dangote, Onaiyekan hail Jonathan for Conceding Defeat

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The Peace Accord Committee has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat and congratulating his opponent, the All Progressives Congress’s candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

The chairman of the committee and former Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, who spoke to journalists after a closed-door meeting with the President, said the committee was spellbound when Mr. Buhari informed them that Mr. Jonathan had called to congratulate him.

“We were at the middle of a meeting with the international observers to try to see how we can still water the tension down, when gladly I called Gen. Buhari that we are going to see him,” Mr. Abubakar said. “He told me that Mr. President has called him at about 5:15 p.m. and congratulated him and conceded defeat.

“We were spellbound and the reason we have come here is to thank President Jonathan for this statesmanship. In the history of Nigeria​,​ I think this is the first time where a contestant has called his rival to congratulate him and through this point, President Jonathan maintained a point that the blood of Nigerians is not worth his presidency and by his action he has proved that.

“He has proved that he is a man of his word‎ because during our interaction on this peace committee he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the elections whichever way it is done. And he has proved this.”

He further appealed to politicians to accept the state of things as the president has already conceded defeat.

“I think we need Nigerians, all of us, to join hands in making sure we assist him in the peaceful handing over,” Mr. Abubakar said. “And I will appeal to all politicians;​ ‎those who are celebrating and those who are sorrowing to please give peace a chance​;​ to be moderate. In any contest there is always going to be a winner and President Jonathan has accepted that he lost and we want to thank him.”

Ha thanked the President on behalf of Nigerians “for being the statesman that he is”​.​

“He has approved that he is a statesman and he has the love of this country in his heart,”Mr. Abubakar said. “So Nigerians should please help him to ensure this is real.”

He urged aggrieved Nigerians to seek redress through the law.

“The electoral laws have procedures for ​seeking re-address,” he said. “So if anybody has ‎any grievance he should apply through the law. I appeal again to our youth, to everybody to please give peace a chance and accept that the chief contestant himself has accepted. So nobody please go and raise any eyebrow and cause any destabilization of this country.”

Others at the meeting include: Ubitu Ukiwe, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Priscilla Kuye, Catholic Archbishop, John Onaiyekan, Primate of Anglican Communion, Nicholas Okoh and Aliko Dangote.

The peace committee had previously met with the President as well as the APC candidate, before the elections and had ensured that both parties sign a peace accord, to ensure peace in the event of defeat on each side.