Congolese ex-rebel Jean-Pierre Bemba to face ICC trial
The former Vice-president of DR Congo is accused of murder, rape and pillage in the Central African Republic (CAR) that occured between 2002 and 2003. Jean Pierre Bemba, 48-year-old faces five charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The war crimes trial of former Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba is to start at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Soldiers end Madagascar officer 'mutiny'
Madagascar has been beset by instability for many years. Twenty Madagascan troops have stormed an army barracks occupied by rebel soldiers, ending a three-day mutiny. Gunshots rang out shortly before reports emerged that the rebels had given themselves up for arrest. Mutineers had been holed up in the barracks near the airport of the capital, Antananarivo, since announcing a takeover of the island on Thursday. Some of the rebels were themselves part of a coup that brought President Andry Rajoelina to power in 2009. The transitional President, Mr Rajoelina has been diplomatically isolated since coming to power in March 2009 and has ignored attempts by regional mediators to broker a consensus with the opposition.