Smash hit

Brown backs Zimbabwe's return to the fold

The Prime Minister will press leaders at a summit in Trinidad to encourage a wide range of political and human rights reforms

Congolese militia leaders deny war crimes

Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo, on trial in The Hague, are accused of sending child soldiers to kill 200 villagers

Briton facing death in Congo pleads for help

Two former soldiers accused of killing a truck driver say they are innocent, and look to their governments for assistance

Congo warlord ignored claims of atrocities

All around were reports of rape and murder, child soldiers and butchery, but he smiled gently and protested his innocence

Yes I remember holding you hostage – come and stay

When searching for an Ethiopian rebel who kidnapped him 33 years ago, a former Sunday Times reporter had an unexpected invitation

Trouser ban rebel slips out of Sudan

A female journalist who was prosecuted for wearing trousers has defied a ban on leaving Sudan to rally support in Europe

African migrants desperate for a better life

Meet the survivors, bereaved families from Gambia and Senegal, and a man who smuggles the people — at a colossal price

Kidnapped Britons: we could be dead in a week

In a televised appeal, British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler said Somali pirate kidnappers were 'losing patience'

Giant ancient crocodiles found in Sahara

Discovery by scientists in Africa sheds light on why giant reptiles survived while the dinasours became extinct

Tourists sue safari park after lion encounter

Eight Britons are suing the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve after they became trapped by lions when their vehicle overturned

Captain dies in hijack as pirates free trawler crew

A Somali pirate confirmed North Korean captain was dead, but crew of Spanish trawler freed when ransom paid

Ethiopia tries to cover up a new famine

The Government is keen to focus on its achievements but 6.2 million Ethiopians will need food aid in the coming months

Royal Navy head ‘frustrated’ by couple's hijacking

The First Sea Lord says it was safer not to attempt to free a Tunbridge Wells couple who were captured by Somali pirates

Why Ethiopian officials dreads the ‘F’ word

The harsh reality is that 25 years after Bob Geldof’s campaign the Ethiopian government is no closer to feeding itself

Sailors try to fight off Somali pirates

Crew of 28 battled unsuccessfully against marauders who boarded Mombasa-bound chemical tanker north of the Seychelles

Farmer pleads not guilty to Mugabe murder plot

Roy Bennett, a senior aide to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is accused of plotting to overthrow the Zimbabwe regime

Hungry hippos bag crocodile

Wildlife photographer captures a rare and dramatic clash

Anti-hero security guard gives himself up

Toni Musulin, a security guard who became a sensation after he disappeared with €11.6 million, has turned himself in

Mangled anthem sparks South African rugby fury

Ras Dumisani's version of the national anthem leaves rugby players furious and diplomats in France under the spotlight