Obama: 'Blood of Africa' in Me

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton ended her African tour today on a note of optimism colored by disdain, the New York Times reports. The secretary of state visited seven nations over 11 days and made her final remarks on the Cape Verde islands off the coast. “I leave Africa after this remarkable trip even more committed,” Clinton said. She commented on the “joy and energy Africans have,” as well as on having “seen the worst humanity can do to itself.” More»

Says government responsibility key to 'economic progress'

(AP) - Hillary Clinton criticized Kenya today for rampant graft and corruption as she made the case that business and trade across Africa cannot grow without good governance and solid democracy. In President Obama's ancestral homeland, the secretary of State said, "True economic progress in Africa will depend on responsible governments that reject corruption, enforce the rule of law, and deliver results for their people." More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama toured the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana today, a shipping-off point for African slaves to America, Reuters reports. He saw the monument as a reminder. “As painful as it is,” the president said, “I think that it helps to teach all of us that we have to do what we can to fight against the kinds of evils that sadly still exist in our world, not just on this continent but in every corner of the globe.” More»

But ruling party says results still too close to call

(NEWSER) - John Atta Mills has proclaimed himself the winner of Ghana’s presidential runoff election, the BBC reports, but the ruling NPP party says the results are still too close to call. Tensions are running high over the poll—earlier today police were forced to fire warning shots at a huge crowd of Mills supporters descending on election headquarters demanding results. More»

Neither of top two candidates secured requisite 50%; next vote is Dec. 28

(NEWSER) - Voters in Ghana will have to go to the polls again to decide their next president, as neither major candidate received the 50% in Sunday’s election. Governing-party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo scored 49.13%, with key opposition leader John Atta Mills pulling in a close 47.92%. The next vote was scheduled for Dec. 28; observers praised the first round as peaceful, the BBC reports. More»