Millions of Congolese flocked to vote in their first free elections in four decades hoping to put an end to years of war, corruption and chaos that have brought the mineral-rich African giant to its knees. The polls in Democratic Republic of Congo were the most complex and expensive ever organized by the United Nations at a cost of $460 million. Voting was generally peaceful, orderly and enthusiastic, apart from incidents in the south central diamond mining province of East Kasai, where a polling station was burned and voters threatened.

Zambia’s President Pledges Better Services

Zambia President Levy Mwanawasa pledged to broaden his anti-graft fight and improve the education and health sectors of his poor country if he is re-elected to a final five-year term allowed by law. Mr. Mwanawasa promised Zambians "better services" than his government delivered during his first five years in office. He said that he would use funds the southern African country was saving through debt relief to improve the lives of Zambians by spending on health, education and infrastructure development. "It has been a long and difficult period, we have worked hard and the economy is performing well. You need to vote for me and the ruling MMD (Movement for Multiparty Democracy) as we will deliver all our promises," Mwanawasa told a campaign rally. Average economic growth under Mr. Mwanawasa’s leadership has been 4.7 per cent, up from negative growth in the two previous decades.  

Outrage over Candidates’ Murder

Nigerian politicians have voiced outrage over the murder of a candidate for governor of Lagos, but analysts say violence is built into the political system and warn that the run-up to elections next year will be bloody. State governors and other senior politicians unanimously condemned the killing of Funso Williams, who was strangled early on Thursday in his Lagos house, and urged police not to let his death join a long list of unresolved political murders.

Arrests over Corruption Allegations

Former Malawian president Bakili Muluzi was arrested on corruption charges as part of a controversial anti-graft drive mounted by his politically embattled successor, Bingu wa Mutharika. Mr Muluzi faces six corruption charges in connection with allegations he diverted large sums of government money into his personal bank account.

On the other hand, a senior government official was arrested in Zimbabwe hours after President Robert Mugabe vowed to tighten the screw against corruption. Police arrested deputy information minister Bright Matonga on Tuesday on corruption charges linked to the purchase of buses while he was Chief Executive Officer at state passenger transport company ZUPCO. Analysts were skeptical this signaled a serious clampdown, however the analysts said Mr. Matonga was only one of the dozens of senior government and ZANU-PF officials implicated in graft over the past few years and many have escaped prosecution.

Disarmament in Cote d'Ivoire

Pro-government militia fighters in western Cote d'Ivoire began laying down arms, starting the first step of a repeatedly delayed nationwide disarmament programme in this war-divided West African nation. About 109 combatants in the western town of Guiglo have handed over weapons to a South African mediating team, which is overseeing the disarmament of an estimated 2,000 fighters that is scheduled to end Aug 6.

Peace Deal Signed

Chad signed a peace deal with neighboring Sudan after months of accusations from both sides about rebel attacks and brutal cross-border raids. According to a statement by the Chadian government, the agreement calls for a joint military commission to monitor the border and "forbids the presence of rebel elements'' in both counties. The statement was signed by Chad’s minister of territorial administration, General Mahamat Ali Abdallah Nassour, and Sudanese foreign minister Lam Akol Ajaween.

Mohamed Ghedi Survives the Censure Motion

The Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi survived a crucial vote of no confidence that could have led to the collapse of his government. Armed police entered parliament to separate four brawling members of parliament and escort Mr. Ghedi out during several minutes of chaos after he survived the censure motion. Mr. Ghedi needed 138 to pass but received 126 – short of the two-thirds majority they needed to censure him in an old grain store converted into Somalia’s temporary parliament.