Spokesman gets death:

Pakistani mourners carry the coffin of lawyer and rights advocate Asma Jahangir during her funeral in Lahore on Feb 13. Pakistan bid farewell to its top rights advocate Asma Jahangir, with thousands

Juma cramming into a major cricket ground under tight security to grieve the diminutive woman described by many as the country’s ‘moral compass’. (AFP)

first peaceful transfer of power in the vast mineral-rich country, ending Kabila’s 17-year-rule.

Kabila, 46, has not yet clearly stated whether he will step aside.

In a joint statement, seven of the 15 Security Council members said Kabila’s “public commitment not to seek a third term or change the constitution would be crucial to instill confidence in the electoral process.”

Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, the Netherlands and Sweden joined the three permanent council members in issuing the statement following an informal meeting on preparations for the crucial elections. (AFP)

South Sudan rebel spokesman James Gatdet Dak was sentenced to death by hanging for treason on Monday, a year after he was deported from Kenya despite having refugee status.

“Death sentence by hanging,” Judge Ladu Armenio told Gatdet in the court in Juba, after he was found guilty of treason and other crimes against the state.

The sentencing comes as peace talks between the government and rebels, taking place in neighbouring Ethiopia, stall amid mutual accusations of military assaults.

Gatdet, a former journalist, was also handed jail sentences totalling

Kabila

21 years, which he is expected to serve before his execution. He has insisted he is innocent.(AFP)