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South African mercenary speaks out after Boko Haram bloodshed
A South African mercenary who fought Boko Haram jihadists in Nigeria spoke out on Sunday against President Muhammadu Buhari's handling of the Islamist insurgency, blaming "poor political decisions" for an upsurge in violence.
In a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday, Eeben Barlow criticised Buhari for claiming that Boko Haram is "technically defeated" and said the jihadists are "causing numerous casualties and capturing massive amounts of equipment and ammunition".
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'Explosive' Zim ruling party congress expected, says paper
Next month's ruling party conference in Zimbabwe will be "explosive" as President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga battle for control of Zanu-PF, a newspaper has claimed.
The Zimbabwe Independent, quoting unnamed party insiders, said Chiwenga wants Mnangagwa to step down in 2023 after serving one term - so that he can stand for the presidency.
Sixty-two-year-old Chiwenga, the former defence forces commander, led the army operation that forced Robert Mugabe's resignation in November 2017. The Independent said Mnangagwa's supporters had already come up with campaign slogans for his next campaign, showing they – and he – have no intention of handing over the party leadership.
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'Little bishop' Chamisa will never take over as Zim president, says VP Chiwenga
Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has reportedly vowed that opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party leader Nelson Chamisa "will never take over as president" of the southern African country.
According to the privately owned Standard newspaper, Chiwenga said this while addressing Zanu-PF supporters gathered for a "thank you rally" in Zvimba over the weekend.
"We hear that this young preacher (Chamisa) is going around telling people that he is on his way to State House. That is wishful thinking. There is no vacancy at State House now and forever for opposition parties," Chiwenga said, describing Chamisa as "a little bishop".
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DRC starts first-ever trial testing Ebola drugs
The World Health Organisation says the Democratic Republic of Congo has begun the first-ever trial to test the effectiveness and safety of four experimental Ebola drugs, the first time scientists have directly compared such treatments.
In a statement on Monday, the UN health agency described it as "a giant step" that would "bring clarity about what works best".
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Zimbabwe 'to shut down foreign embassies' in bid to cut costs – report
Zimbabwe's new finance minister Mthuli Ncube has reportedly announced that the government is planning to reduce the number of the country's foreign missions from the current 46.
According to New Zimbabwe.com, during his budget speech last week, Ncube said that the government this year alone ran a $15 million deficit through expenditure directed at foreign missions.
"Currently, Zimbabwe has diplomatic presence at 46 Embassies and Consulates, staffed by around 581 home based and locally recruited staff. The above diplomatic presence is currently imposing annual budgetary levels of around $65 million, which is above available 2018 budget capacity of $50 million.
"Government has resolved to reduce the number of foreign missions, thereby optimising the utility value realised from the remaining missions as well as avoiding accumulation of arrears and embarrassing evictions of our diplomats," Ncube was quoted as saying.
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