Ethiopia speaker, PM's policy analyst flip-flop on resignation

Ethiopia’s speaker of parliament and another top official of government have reportedly rescinded their resignation from government.

According to the state-affiliated FBC, the two had agreed to return to their posts after high-level talks by the Executive Committee of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Mali PM and ministers resign to allow government reshuffle

Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga and his government resigned on Friday, the president’s office said, without giving a reason.

U.S. thanks Congo for releasing its citizen held since March 2016

Congo Republic on Friday released Marcel Pika, a naturalised U.S. citizen detained for nearly two years, according to the U.S. embassy in the capital, Brazzaville.

U.N. chief salutes Weah on poll victory, lauds Liberia's democratic stride

The United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General António Guterres has congratulated George Weah on his election as the next President of Liberia, and commended Vice-President Joseph Boakai for conceding defeat.

According to a statement issued by the UN chief’s spokesperson, Mr Guterres welcomes the official announcement of results by the National Elections Commission on 29 December reiterated his praise for the people of Liberia for the peaceful manner in which the process was conducted.

Mental health care a 'national problem' says sheriff

Sheriff Greg Pollan and Tyler Haire, photographed in 2014

A Mississippi sheriff says the United States has a "national problem" with how it treats mental health patients in the justice system.

Greg Pollan was speaking after an investigation by the BBC and ProPublica into the case of Tyler Haire.

Haire - who had a long history of mental health problems - was in jail for almost four years without trial while waiting to be assessed.