Kenya’s main opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it will stage a demonstration against the meeting of heads of state of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) scheduled to open in Nairobi Wednesday.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin is in Chad for a meeting with beleaguered President Idriss Deby, whose government has been holding off rebels threatening to take the capital.

Rebel leaders in Chad are giving conflicting statements about a possible cease-fire, while Chad's government is declaring victory after rebels failed to take the capital N'Djamena in last week's fighting. Meanwhile, the president of former colonial power France, Nicolas Sarkozy, has said France is ready to do its duty to defend Chad's government if necessary. VOA's Nico Colombant reports from Dakar.

Talks between Kenya’s government and the main opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) enter a crucial stage today after both parties agreed Monday to end the escalated violence that is threatening the country’s stability.

Negotiations aimed at ending the crisis in Kenya are focusing on a political solution to December's disputed elections that left nearly 1000 people dead and 300,000 homeless. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Nairobi that the talks resumed Tuesday after negotiators agreed to end the violence and promote reconciliation.

Kenya’s main opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it is committed to finding a lasting solution to the escalating violence blamed for the loss of lives and property. This follows reports of gangs from rival ethnic groups clashing in Kenya's Rift Valley.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced deep concern at the deteriorating security situation inside Chad, where fierce fighting has resumed between Government forces and opposition groups, and called on the parties to settle their differences peacefully.

Violence is continuing in western Kenya, despite an agreement between the government and main opposition to attempt to end the unrest.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon touched down in Kenya on Friday for talks with Kenya's opposition leader in a bid to keep the country's post-election chaos from descending into a wider ethnic war. At least four more people were killed by police during ongoing protests. Nick Wadhams has the story from Nairobi.

A senior U.S. official is taking issue with two independent reports that portray a dire political and security situation in Afghanistan. Appearing before a Senate panel Thursday, the State Department official sought to counter the reports' assessments that Afghanistan risks becoming a failed state, as VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

The political crisis in Kenya is at the top of the agenda as the African Union holds its summit in Addis Ababa. But what can the AU do at this stage to help resolve the crisis and end the violence?

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano says he needs more time to decide the next step in resolving Italy's political crisis, following the resignation of Prime Minister Romano Prodi.