- President Barack Obama’s administration has announced the extension of sanctions to President Robert Mugabe’s regime for another year, saying it is not convinced of Zimbabwe’s progress.
"I am continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes or institutions," Obama said in a statement.
Both the European Union and the United States maintain a travel ban and asset freeze on Mr Mugabe, his wife and inner circle aides in protest at disputed elections and alleged human rights abuses by his government.
The Southern African country is struggling to recover from a crisis that saw inflation peak at 321-million percent and supermarkets run out of food.
The crisis forced Mr Mugabe and his rival Morgan Tsvangirai to form a power-sharing government last year to mend the economy and ease political tensions in the aftermath of a presidential run-off election in which Mugabe was the sole candidate.
But economic recovery has not been as fast as anticipated while political tensions persist.
Zimbabwe's descent into political and economic crisis began 10 years ago, when Mugabe lost a referendum on a new constitution that would have expanded his hold to power.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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