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Mail & Guardian
nastasya taylatest news & developments
Al-Shabab has particularly profited from the illegal export of charcoal, said UN special representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay. (AFP)

Somalia: African Union secures strategic port

They might have been driven out of Somalia’s second city, but Islamist militant group al-Shebab have a plan B. Nastasya Tay reports.

Abdul Aziz mosque imam Abdul Karim is saddened by the destruction of this ancient building but says it will be rebuilt.

Stoic Somalis give peace a chance

In new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s in-tray: a war, a government bereft of functioning institutions or a budget, and a looming food crisis.

The United Nations special representative for Somalia

Somalia’s flawed attempts at change

The country is gearing up for its elections amid allegations of corruption and intimidation.

Recently trained members of the Somali National Army.

Somalia is ‘another Afghanistan’

The country will never be able to prevail unless the war ends. Nastasya Tay reports.

Somali citizens do not have the right to vote in the transitional government’s selection of a new president.

Somalia: Life returns in aftermath of al-Shabab

Painted signs, even of a policeman on a busy road, attest to growing trade and returning exiles in Somalia.

Somalians are hopeful that they can make the transition from war to political legitimacy.

Somalia: A shot at stability

This election is a crucial turning point that could ‘seal the deal’ or see Somalia slide back into chaos.

Though illegal

Charcoal a burning issue in Zambia

Zambia’s hardwood forests are falling prey to poor villagers who are chopping down trees and surviving off the proceeds from selling charcoal.

The death of Kenya’s internal security minister and presidential candidate

Kenya walks election tightrope

Two presidential candidates face prosecution and ethnic lines have divided the country, writes Nastasya Tay.

Europeans fly south to Maputo

Europeans fly south to Maputo

Portuguese immigrants flock to Mozambique, but most of them remain only briefly.

Tide turns against Malawi’s Mutharika

Tide turns against Malawi’s Mutharika

Malawians overwhelmingly re-elected their president two years ago. Now Bingu wa Mutharika’s forces are blamed for killing at least 19 demonstrators.

Malawi anti-govt protest deaths on the rise

Two days of protests have left at least 10 people dead in unprecedented levels of unrest in Malawi.

Maputo mayhem not just about food

Maputo mayhem not just about food

Troops fire on citizens protesting against the cost of essentials and a lack of accountability.

Lesotho’s life expectancy cut short by HIV, TB

Medical workers are concerned that the lethal combination of HIV infections and tuberculosis may become the world’s next major health crisis.

Sharpeville survivors tire of telling their stories

Sharpeville survivors tire of telling their stories

Residents say that Sunday’s anniversary of the massacre will be calm, despite concerns that activities could be interrupted by demonstrations.