- A Burundian court has slapped one person to life in prison and seven others to jail terms over the murders of albinos in the country. Three other suspects were acquitted by the court in Ruyigi province over the killings.
In May, prosecutors in Burundi demanded heavy sentences for the 11 suspects accused of murdering 12 albinos, whose limbs have been sold to witch doctors in neighbouring Tanzania for lucky charms.
The court sentenced three people to 15 years in prison for attempted murder, while one was given seven years for complicity. Two others were jailed for two years and another to a year.
The trial is believed to be the first linked to a spate of albino killings in East Africa since 2007.
Reports said albino associations are calling on East African governments to speed up the trials of those suspected of committing the murders and trading in their body parts, as a means of educating the public that such acts are punishable by law.
Members of the albino community are also calling on traditional healers associations to help curb the problem by enlightening members about the evil of trading in human body parts.
Witchdoctors in the region claim potions made with albino body parts will bring those who use them luck in love, life and business.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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