April 28, 2021.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Nadine Ramdass.

Making headlines:

Ramaphosa appears at Zondo Commission

Mozambique's economy facing multiple risks as insurgency grows

And, Somalia's president agrees not to extend presidential term

Ramaphosa appears at Zondo Commission

President Cyril Ramaphosa made his long-awaited appearance at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, today, in his capacity as leader of the African National Congress.

In his opening statement, he said he did not appear before the commission to make excuses or to defend the indefensible and stressed that the ANC would assist the commission in its work in any way possible.

He acknowledged that the party had made mistakes as it sought to execute the mandate given to it by voters and said the party had shortcomings in living up to the expectations of South Africans.

His testimony continues.

Mozambique's economy facing multiple risks as insurgency grows

Ratings agency S&P Global said in research report today that Mozambique's economy faces multiple challenges, including a growing insurgency against the government and recurring extreme weather events.

S&P said militant attacks in Mozambique's northeastern province of Cabo Delgado posed a "significant threat" to production facilities there, touted as among the biggest natural gas discoveries in the world.

The ratings firm projects gross domestic product to expand 2.5% in 2021 after last year's 1.25% contraction. It expects economic growth to average 5.5% from 2022 onwards.

Somalia's president agrees not to extend presidential term

Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed will drop an attempt to extend his term by two years, bowing to domestic and international pressure after clashes in the capital Mogadishu split security forces along clan lines.

The president's term expired in February, but the country failed to hold elections as planned. Earlier this month, the lower house of parliament voted to extend Mohamed's four-year term by another two years. The Senate rejected the move, provoking a political crisis.

The president said he urged "all security agencies to maintain the stability of the capital and the safety of innocent civilians, avoiding any actions that may lead to insecurity."

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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