Poverty, selfish political interests and inadequate economic development are the underlying causes of the political crisis gripping Burundi, according to political analysts.

South Africa's new government has called on former President Thabo Mbeki to continue as the region's mediator in Zimbabwe's political crisis despite his ousting as president.

AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma yesterday called for calm in SA's political crisis.

By Gordon Bell
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - More than a third of South Africa's cabinet stepped down on Tuesday after President Thabo Mbeki resigned, deepening the biggest political crisis since the end of apartheid.
The list of resignations included respected Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, immediately shaking markets, but they recovered when his office said he was ready to serve under a new president.
The resignation of 10 ministers and the deputy president out of a cabinet of 30 follo

Ideological differences between Zimbabwe's traditional political foes remain a major threat to the new inclusive government constituted last week in a bid to end the once prosperous country's economic and political crisis.

Haile Menkerios, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefed Security Council members on the details of the deal, signed in Harare on Monday, which aims to end the political crisis that has gripped the Southern African country since the first round of national elections in March.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's envoy to Zimbabwe was in the capital Harare today to attend the signing of a power-sharing agreement between the Government and the opposition to bring an end to the political crisis that has gripped the Southern African nation in recent months.

HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe's leaders on Monday signed a historic framework for forming a unity government that splits power among arch rivals in a bid to end the country's political crisis and economic meltdown.

HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe's leaders signed a historic deal on Monday that will see President Robert Mugabe share power with his bitter arch-rival in a bid to end a ruinous political crisis.

The acting prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, implored all sides to find a peaceful solution to the political crisis in Thailand after nearly three weeks of protest.