African Union Suspends Madagascar

French first lady will perform at Mandela's 91st birthday celebration

(NEWSER) - Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will sing this weekend at Nelson Mandela’s birthday party, her first public performance since becoming the first lady of France, reports AFP. The former South African leader will celebrate his 91st birthday Saturday at New York City's Radio City Music Hall, and Bruni won't be the only big name: Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin also are scheduled to perform. More»

French president booed, taunted in Gabon

(NEWSER) - Crowds in the African nation of Gabon booed Nicolas Sarkozy at the funeral of the country's long-serving strongman president, Omar Bongo. Dozens of onlookers shouted "We don't want you, leave!" at the French leader and his predecessor, Jacques Chirac. France ruled Gabon in the colonial era and kept close ties to the oil-rich nation after independence. More»

Anti-poverty group says broken aid promise should cost Italy right to host G8 summit

(NEWSER) - An anti-poverty group founded by Bono has issued a report harshly condemning France and Italy for reneging on promises to boost aid to Africa, the BBC reports. The report from the organization One called France's performance "disappointing" and Italy's an "utter failure," which has dragged down the overall G8 performance in delivering on promises made at its 2005 summit. More»

(NEWSER) - Explosions rang out in Madagascar’s capital today, as the army stormed and easily captured the presidential palace at the center of the city. The building appeared deserted, according to an AP reporter, who saw armored vehicles roll through the normally ceremonial palace gates. One colonel said it wasn’t an attack on the president, who was in another palace nine miles away at the time, but merely an attempt to control the building. More»

Libyan leader vows to pursue plan for 'United States of Africa'

(NEWSER) - Muammar Qaddafi vowed to pursue his dream of creating a united, pan-African government after being named chairman of the African Union today, Reuters reports. Elected by African heads of state for a 1-year term, the Libyan leader said the organization must consider his proposal for a “United States of Africa” at the next summit in July. More»