Archive for the ‘Central Africa’ Category

Somali pirates have released a Greek-flagged oil tanker after receiving millions of dollars in ransom. Sources from among the pirates on Monday confirmed that the Maran Centaurus, one of the largest ships ever hijacked, had been freed. The pirates agreed to release the vessel after an aircraft dropped at least five million dollars in ransom on the deck. The ransom, one of the largest ever paid, appeared to ... Full story

A Nigerian court has ruled that Goodluck Jonathan, the vice-president, can take over the duties of the president, who has been sick, without a formal transfer of power. The decision on Wednesday by the chief judge in the Federal High Court in Abuja, the capital, was taken following the absence of Umaru Yar'Adua, the president, from the country since November 28. Yar'Adua, 58, has been receiving ... Full story