Congo's government announced pardons for 24 jailed critics of President Joseph Kabila on Friday in a bid to ease tension ahead of a presidential election set for November. His comment appeared to undermine the position of the African Union facilitator of the election talks, former Togolese prime minister Edem Kodjo, who welcomed the pardons and said talks would begin next week. Opposition leaders say Kodjo favours the government and they want him removed as a mediator as a condition for the talks. Only four remained in jail, said Georges Kapiamba, a leading human rights activist. In another move to ease tension, the government reopened two television stations controlled by opposition politicians.

Source: The Star August 20, 2016 07:41 UTC