The Nigerian city of Lagos shut down and quarantined a hospital where a man died of Ebola in the first recorded case of the highly infectious disease in Africa’s most populous country.

An election that was supposed to solidify peace in Liberia has been marred by dismal turnout after the opposition went ahead with a boycott despite last-minute appeals from the US and the UN.

Violence has broken out at opposition headquarters in Liberia, killing at least one person hours before a presidential run-off today.

Opposition parties in Liberia say they are pulling out of a recent presidential poll which they called “flawed” and say they won’t accept the results.

Three women have won the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the importance of women’s roles in the spread of global peace, writes Bjoern Amland.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee used different tactics to confront thugs and killers in war-ravaged Liberia.

African diplomats descended on Burkina Faso to ensure a deal is sealed calling for Guinea’s injured leader to step down and for his country to hold democratic elections within six months.

All Africans must speak out about injustices in places like Zimbabwe, Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said.

Zimbabwean government and opposition officials met in South Africa in a bid to find a way out of their country’s troubles following the recent presidential election run-off.

Zimbabwean government and opposition officials met in South Africa today to try to find a way out of their country’s deadly crisis.

Actress Nicole Kidman praised a United Nations fund set up 10 years ago for initiatives to end violence against women worldwide, saying it had made a difference to countless people.

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor pleaded not guilty today to war crimes and crimes against humanity, including sexual slavery, mutilation and sending children into combat.

Trial in Africa is too risky for a man accused of fomenting bloodshed across West Africa, international prosecutors said in requesting that Charles Taylor’s trial for crimes against humanity be moved to The Hague in the Netherlands.

Trial in Africa is apparently too risky for a man accused of fomenting war across west Africa – and believed to have the support and money to create more trouble.

Liberian warlord and war crimes suspect Charles Taylor disappeared from the haven Nigeria had granted him just as he was to have been handed over to face trial, Nigerian officials said today.

Nigeria’s announcement that it is ready to hand over exiled Liberian warlord Charles Taylor – the first former African head of state indicted for crimes against humanity and war crimes – is a reluctant gesture that sends a powerful message to other warmongers on the continent.

Nigeria said today it will send back to Liberia exiled ex-president and one-time warlord Charles Taylor, wanted for trial on war crimes by a UN-backed court.

US National Intelligence Director John Negroponte warned yesterday of possible “major turmoil and conflict” in Nigeria if President Olesegun Obasanjo seeks approval of a constitutional amendment permitting him to seek a third term in office.

Newly inaugurated President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf today unveiled her first nominations for Cabinet-level positions in Liberia’s post-war elected government, tapping a female international banker to be her economy minister.

Africa’s first elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has been sworn in as president of war-battered Liberia, promising a clean break with the west African nation’s violent past and pledging to rebuild.

ELLEN Johnson Sirleaf was yesterday sworn in as war-battered Liberia’s new president, carving her name into history as Africa’s first elected female head of state.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf takes office today as Liberia’s new head of state, carving her name into history as Africa’s first elected female president and taking the helm of a ruined nation struggling for peace after a quarter century of coups and war.