May 21, 2012

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Henny Ngoveni

Making headlines:

Plans to create a 26-nation free trade area by integrating three existing African trade blocs by July 2014 are on track.
The East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community aim to create a free market of 525-million people with an output of $1-trillion when they unite.

Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir says Sudan wants lasting peace with South Sudan but Juba needs to end support for rebels in Sudan's border land.
Bashir met with former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is trying to bring both sides back to the negotiation table at the African Union.

Angola’s opposition party UNITA expects tens of thousands to join nationwide rallies to call for a fair election.
The country's Supreme Court annulled the appointment of the country's electoral commission chief, a nomination which the opposition had criticised but which the ruling MPLA party defended as impartial.

Also making headlines:

Libya’s Benghazi residents voted in a local election that will test support for a proposal to set up autonomous rule for eastern Libya.

And, Mali's caretaker president Dioncounda Traore will have his mandate extended beyond a 40-day period.

That’s a round-up of news making headlines today.