VOA Africa News Summary

Here are today's top stories from VOA Africa. To listen or watch one of our programs or to read more visit our website at www.voaafrica.com.

Ethiopia Claims Gains Over Eastern Rebels Government says Ogaden National Liberation Front behind bomb blasts Sunday in Jijiga Ivory Coast President: Election Could Be Held This Year During televised speech Tuesday, Laurent Gbagbo said transparent elections necessary to get country past its current political crisis UN Special Envoy Urges Reconciliation in Somalia Francois Lonseny Fall said reconciliation and peaceful discussions are only way to end 16 years of violence Actress Mia Farrow Offers to Exchange Her Freedom for Darfur Rebel's Safe Passage Farrow offers to relinquish her freedom so ailing Suleiman Jamous, a key link between Darfur rebels and aid workers, can get safe passage out of hospital Nigerian Minister of Justice Takes Charge of Corruption Prosecution President Umaru Yar'Adua made request but directive has provoked mixed reactions in Nigeria Namibian Human Rights Leader Accuses Ruling Party Official of Death Threat Phil ya Nangoloh says alleged threat stems from petition to International Criminal Court to investigate former president Darfur Rebels' Agreement Greeted With Cautious Optimism Human rights advocate hopes Darfur rebels and Sudan's government would put the people of Darfur first in coming peace negotiations Darfur Rebels Call for Peace Talks Within 3 Months Rebel groups say they now have common position over crisis in Darfur, where 200,000 people have been killed Yar'Adua Attorneys Advise Former Nigeria VP to Concede Defeat Attorneys for Nigerian President Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua have said opposition Action Congress party (AC) presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should concede defeat in the April's presidential elections. Court Guilty Verdicts Implicate Militiamen Fighting Alongside Sierra Leone Government Former CDF Leaders Convicted of Murder and Other Crimes in 11-Year Conflict