MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s hard-line opposition leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said on Friday there would be no talks with the government until an African Union peace mission (AMISOM) quits the Horn of Africa nation. More on No talks unless peacekeepers quit Somalia: opposition

(VOA) A U.S.-based human rights group says it is alarmed about the number of governments in East Africa and the Horn, which are using repressive and violent tactics to stay in power and silence their opponents. Several countries named by Human Rights Watch are key western regional allies.  More on Human Rights Watch Worried About Ethiopia

Tens of thousands of Ethiopians have attended a state funeral for legendary singer Tilahun Gessesse, considered a symbol of national unity since the time of Emperor Haile Selassie. Many of Tilahun’s songs were considered anthems, binding together a country through war and famine, monarchy and dictatorship. More on Ethiopia Mourns Treasured Singer at State Funeral

Another headache for Woyanne

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A hard-line Somali opposition leader accused of having al-Qaida links arrived Thursday in Mogadishu for the first time in two years, officials said.

Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys had been based in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara, after Ethiopian troops drove him and his supporters from strongholds in southern Somalia and Mogadishu. More on Somalia opposition leader arrives in capital

International donors have pledged more than $250m (£172m) to boost security in Somalia, an EU official says.

Louis Michel, the EU commissioner for aid and development, declared the Brussels conference a “full success”, saying it had reached its target. The money is to help Somalia build up its security forces, fight piracy, and restore order on land and sea. More on Funds to boost Somalia security

 BRUSSELS (Reuters – The European Union pledged at least 60 million euros ($77.54 million) on Wednesday to support security forces in Somalia and African Union peacekeepers based in the conflict ridden region.

The European Commission made the announcement a day before an international conference in Brussels that will seek funds to boost security in Somalia, which faces an insurgency and is used as a base for pirates attacking global shipping. More on EU pledges 60 mln euros for security in Somalia

A huge turnout in South Africa’s general election has left officials struggling with long queues at polling stations and too few ballot papers.

By mid-afternoon, fears were emerging that ballot papers were running out in places and some ballot boxes were full.  But election officials said anyone in line as polls closed would get to vote. More on Huge turnout in South Africa poll

Some of our DC-based readers may have spotted this anti-DLA Piper (a law firm) ad making its way around town via taxi. A reader sent us this photo, saying: :I saw this cab on Connecticut Ave. in front of the Mayflower yesterday and it caught my attention. Strange.” 

Our first response was, “Bad PR for DLA Piper, but doesn’t everybody already know that blood money is the currency of Biglaw?” Our second response was to find out about this legislation and reach out to the firm.  More On Ethiopians in Washington DC take on DLA Piper

One African ambassador at the airport described the turnout as “an ironic show of solidarity” for a man facing war crimes charges. The envoy, who asked not to be named, said it is ironic because many Africa leaders fear that if President Bashir can be prosecuted, they could be next. More on Woyanne Gives Sudan’s Bashir Warm Welcome

Teenaged Somali Arrives in NYC to Face Piracy Charges

The surviving Somali pirate suspect from the attack on the U.S. flagged merchant ship Maersk Alabama arrived in New York last night, landing in a driving rain storm at a nearby airbase and driven from there to the FBI’s New York headquarters. More On Teenaged Somali Arrives in NYC to Face Piracy Charges