DRC: President’s aide dies in plane crash

DR Congo leader Kabila sacks 3,000 civil servants
A senior adviser to the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, has been killed in a plane crash in the east of the country. Augustin Katumba Mwanke died when the private jet came down near the town of Bukavu, a statement read out on national TV said. The pilot also died.Read more…

Zambia beats Ivory Coast to be champions

AFCON trophy
For the first time in their football history, the Zambian national football team, the Chipolopolo grabbed the final of the African Cup of Nations, AFCON. After 120 minutes of action-packed football against a very star-studded Ivorian team led by Didier Drogba, in a zero all tie, the Zambians made the difference in the penalty shoot-outs, scoring 8 as against 7 for the Ivorians.Read more…

AFCON: 46 hurt in Zambia victory celebrations

Zambia
Over 40 casualty cases were recorded Wednesday night at Zambia's University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after post-match celebrations turned violent and unruly, hospital authorities said. UTH said it had treated 46 casualties who were injured after Zambia national soccer team - "Chipolopolo" - beat Ghana's "Black Stars" to advance to the finals of the on-going African Nations Cup tournament co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.Read more…

OPINION: Fuel and Fury: Nigeria's Molotov cocktail

Nigeria_oil
Barely a month into 2012 and Nigeria has unwittingly brewed itself a veritable molotov cocktail. Africa's most populous state has ushered in to the New Year with a potent mix of fuel and fury, one that threatens to push the country down an incendiary future.Read more…

Africa’s duo wins laurels at world sports awards

Cheruiyot, Pistorius
Kenyan long distance runner, Vivian Cheruiyot and South Africa's "Blade Runner," Oscar Pistorius made Africa proud winning awards at the just ended Laureus World Sports Awards. The winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards were unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony in London.Read more…

African Peer Review Mechanism making progress

Amos Sawyer
In 2003 the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the continental development plan, initiated the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Since then 30 countries have joined the voluntary arrangement. How well has this process been working, and what lies ahead? A member of the APRMs Panel of Eminent Persons, Amos Sawyer - who was Liberia's interim president in 1990 - 94 and currently chairs that country's Governance Commission - speaks about the progress of the APRM.Read more…