Dozens killed in attacks in Somali capital

Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab claims responsibility for two attacks in Mogadishu that left more than 30 people dead. Last Modified: 14 Apr 2013 23:33 http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/04/2013414101235148177.html

Armed men dressed in Somali police uniforms have stormed the court complex in the capital Mogadishu killing a number of people, before a gun battle erupted with security forces besieging the compound. Hours after the attack at the court on Sunday, a large blast hit an area on the road to the Mogadishu airport, residents said. Somali officials told Al Jazeera that nine fighters dressed in police uniforms attacked the court complex killed ten national security officers outside the court complex before entering. Once inside the court, the fighters killed at least three people, including two lawyers and a spokesperson of the court. An al-Shabab spokesperson claimed responsibility for the attacks, telling Al Jazeera that as a state institution the court complex was a "legitimate target". Hours later, a car bomb exploded at a building housing Somali intelligence along the road to the airport as Turkish and African Union (AU) vehicles were passing, police and witnesses said. Government forces then opened fire and blocked the road. "The car bomb exploded near the gate of a building housing the Somali security. AU and Turkish cars were also passing there. We are still investigating the target and casualties," Qadar Ali, a police officer told the Reuters news agency. A Turkish official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters that one of its Red Crescent vehicles was passing at the time of the explosion. A Somali driver was killed and three Turkish passengers were wounded, the official said. In total, Somali officials said more than 30 people were killed on Sunday, including the nine fighters who stormed the court.

Ahmadinejad to visit uranium-rich Niger

Iranian president whose country is facing sanctions over nuclear programme begins three-nation visit to West Africa. Last Modified: 14 Apr 2013 09:03

Ahmadinejad is visiting in his capacity as chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement of countries [GALLO/GETTY]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, is beginning a visit to West Africa that will take him to Benin, Ghana and Niger, the world's fourth-largest uranium producer, Iranian media have reported. The Fars news agency said Ahmadinejad's trip would begin on Sunday and that he would meet the presidents of the three countries and sign agreements to develop economic and political relations. Ahmadinejad is to arrive in Benin on Sunday afternoon on an official visit in his capacity as chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement of countries, the country's foreign minister, Nassirou Arifari Bako, told the AFP news agency.

UN peacekeepers killed in South Sudan ambush

Foreign ministry says rebel attack on UN convoy in Jonglei region killed five Indian nationals who were escorting it. Last Modified: 10 Apr 2013 10:01

Five Indian peacekeepers escorting a United Nations convoy in South Sudan have been killed in an ambush by rebels, according to the Indian foreign ministry. "Five peacekeepers from India with UNMISS [United Nations Mission in South Sudan] killed in ambush in Jonglei," Syed Akbaruddin, foreign ministry spokesman, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. He confirmed the deaths to the AFP news agency and said the soldiers had been killed while "escorting a UN convoy". Jonglei has been the scene of widespread ethnic conflict since South Sudan became independent in July 2011. Much of the trouble has been in Pibor county, where the UN peacekeeping force is based.

Workers killed in Ghana gold mine collapse, Al Jazeera Zach

At least 16 bodies recovered from site of accident near the town of Kyekyewere, north of capital Accra.

A mine has collapsed in Ghana's central gold-producing region killing at least 16 people who were working illegally and had been told to leave by the operator, local police have said. A total of 16 bodies were recovered from the site of the incident near the town of Kyekyewere on Monday afternoon, according to area police commander William Otu. The town is about 300km north of the capital Accra. The operator had completed its work in the area and had returned only to shut down the mine and affirm its claim to the land, Otu added, without identifying the company.

Mugabe warns against foreign interference, Al Jazeera Zach

Zimbabwe's president says he will not accept outside interference during 2013 elections due to end country's coalition.

Upcoming elections will end Zimbabwe's uneasy political coalition [EPA]

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has said he will not accept foreign interference during elections later this year. In an address to mark 33 years of Zimbabwean independence on Thursday, Mugabe welcomed recent efforts by Western nations to reopen dialogue with Zimbabwe after years of isolation to protest political violence, rights abuses and alleged vote rigging. However, he said Western leaders should let the nation's people "determine our own destiny" and defended the country's independence without interference. "Interference in our affairs will never be accepted," he said, while calling on Zimbabweans to conduct themselves honourably during the elections, which could be held anywhere from late June to September. Mugabe urged his people to vote peacefully and said the nation had an obligation to "uphold and promote peace before, during, and after" upcoming polls that will mark the end of the country's coalition government with former political rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. "The country is now due to hold harmonised elections, and I wish to urge the nation to uphold and promote peace," Mugabe said. "Go and vote your own way. No one should force you to vote for me."

Seven rebels killed in clashes in CAR capital, Al Jazeera Zach

Mob kills disarmed Seleka fighters in Bangui amid tensions between group and residents of Central African Republic city.

Nearly 20 people were killed in clashes between residents and Seleka ex-rebel fighters over the weekend [Reuters]

A mob in Bangui has killed seven fighters, all members of the Seleka group which ousted Francois Bozize last month, in the former Central African Republic (CAR) president's electoral district. "Seven Seleka members who had been disarmed by military police were killed and five wounded on Monday evening and Tuesday morning in Boy-Rabe by armed men and civilians," General Ousman Mahamat told reporters. The fighters had earlier been disarmed by the army in a bid to restore order to the northern Boy-Rabe neighbourhood - the scene of repeated pillaging and violence, Mahamat said on Tuesday. He added that one of the victims had had his skull shattered by a large stone. Nearly 20 people were killed in clashes between residents and Seleka fighters in the capital over the weekend.

South Africa says Mandela 'much better', Al Jazeera Zach

President's office says anti-apartheid icon is responding "satisfactorily" to treatment after a week in hospital.

Doctors last week drained excess fluid that had built up on lining of Mandela's lungs because of recurring infection[AFP]

Nelson Mandela is "much better" and responding "satisfactorily" to treatment after a week in hospital for pneumonia, the South African presidency has reported. "[Nelson Mandela] has been visited by family and continues to make steady progress" - President Jacob Zuma The ailing 94-year-old, who served as South Africa's first black president, was making a steady improvement and doctors were happy with his progress, President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement on Wednesday. "His doctors say he continues to respond satisfactorily to treatment and is much better now than he was when he was admitted to hospital on the 27th of March 2013," it said. "He has been visited by family and continues to make steady progress." No details on a possible release were given.