Polls shelved in opposition strongholds, as government accused of suppressing votes

Voting in presidential election cancelled in opposition strongholds hit by Ebola virus

Tensions rise in the capital as poll – already delayed by two years – is postponed

Volatile African state has not had democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960

Move is likely to test relationship with US government, investors

President says electoral commission has responsibility for setting election date

Catholic Church becomes focus for opposition to DRC president’s efforts to retain power

From Trump to tragedy, Kim Jong-un to a royal wedding, a compelling roundup from an at times incredible year

Zimbabwean president had been given deadline to stand down or face impeachment

Twa pygmies attack the Luba, a Bantu ethnic group, near Kalemi, in Tanganyika province

Demand for cobalt to greatly increase but people of country unlikely to gain from it

Democratic Republic of Congo

Catholic Church accuses security forces, local militias of destroying 20 Kasai villages

President’s refusal to step down leads to fears of broader conflict and repeat of past wars

Soldiers fire on civilians in clashes fuelled by president’s decision to stay on past end of mandate

Critics accuse Democratic Republic of Congo president of trying to hold power indefinitely

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame is latest president to alter constitution in order to stay in power

As a compact, stable, and transferable store of value, diamonds offer enormous advantages to smugglers, money launderers, and tax evaders

Armed youths try to seize airport, military barracks and the state television headquarters in capital

Group declares ceasefire, offering best hope of peace for years in war-ravaged east

UN secretary-general keen to appoint former president envoy to troubled Africa region