KENYA: Killing of prominent Muslim cleric sparks riots in Mombasa
The shooting of controversial Islamic cleric Aboud Rogo Mohammad, popularly known as 'Rogo,' by an unknown gunman sparked riots throughout the city of Mombasa on Monday. Hundreds of protesters smashed cars and torched churches, claiming the cleric had been deliberately targeted by the police and that it constituted an attack on all Muslims. Kenyan police have denied any involvement in Rogo's death, who was faced with terrorism charges for allegedly recruiting non-Somali Africans for Somalia's al-Shabaab militant group. On Tuesday, al-Shabaab posted a statement on social media site Twitter urging Kenyan Muslims to protect their religion at all costs and boycott next year's presidential election, "Muslims must take the matter into their own hands, stand united against the Kuffar (non-believers) and take all necessary measures to protect their religion, their honour, their property and their lives from the enemies of Islam." Comment: In February, Rogo and Samir Khan were released on bail after being charged with possession of 102 bomb detonators, three guns and 119 bullets, with the case to be heard in court on October 17. (AFP, All Africa, Deutsche Welle, Reuters)

SOUTH AFRICA: Country seeks peace accord in mine strike wage deal
Two weeks after a violent strike at Lonmin mine in Marikana which left 44 people dead, South African officials on Wednesday sought to broker a "peace accord" with unions and Lonmin representatives. The London-listed firm and the workers' leaders kept a tight lid on discussions, but an immediate resumption of mine operations looked unlikely. Strikers, who reportedly earn about 4,000 rand (USD 500) per month, insist they are unwilling to settle for a pay raise less than their demands of 12,500 rand (USD 1,500). Comment: 34 participants of the 3,000 man strike were shot by police in the deadliest security action since apartheid ended in 1994. Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were hacked to death days earlier. Lonmin, the world's largest platinum producer, relies on the Marikana mine for about 92 percent of its annual production. Labor Market Analyst Loane Sharpe told Reuters that, "It is costing Lonmin over a billion rand so far, they are losing significant production just every week, and this continues." (AFP, Al Jazeera, BBC News, Reuters)

TOGO: Women of the collective "Let's Save Togo" initiate week-long sex strike
On Monday, the female wing of the coalition of nine civil society groups "Let's Save Togo" urged women throughout the nation to stage a sex strike for the week to demand the resignation of the country's President Faure Gnassingbe. Leader of the opposition Isabelle Ameganvi, a lawyer, stressed that "Women are the first victims of catastrophic situation that we live in Togo." Ms. Ameganvi was inspired by a similar strike initiated by the women in Liberia for their campaign of peace throughout the country, saying that sex could be a "weapon of battle" for political change. Comment: Togolese activists say that the strike will push men to become more involved in the political processes. Although the sex strike seemed to please many women, some men from both parties and human rights groups did not believe it would be a success. On Saturday, the political opposition party National Alliance for Change additionally held a peaceful demonstration against the president, capping last week's protests forcefully put down by the Togolese security forces. (Associated Press, BBC News, France 24)  

Researched/Written by Kenneth Bloomquist

NORWAY: Anders Breivik sentenced to a maximum prison sentence of 21 years
Last Friday, a Norwegian court found mass killer Anders Breivik sane, and convicted him for terrorism and premeditated murder. Family members of the victims had feared Breivik would be declared clinically insane and unfit to be held criminally responsible for his actions. Breivik must serve at least 10 years in prison, which can be extended to a maximum of 21 years. Comment: The sentence comes after Breivik killed 77 people in bomb and gun attacks in 2011. Norwegian law permits retention of Breivik for longer than 21 years if he is deemed a threat to society. (BBC, The Guardian, Reuters)

RUSSIA: Political activist given double the prosecution's requested prison sentence
On Tuesday, Taisiya Osipova was sentenced to eight years in prison for possession of heroin. The prosecution had initially requested a four year sentence, but the judge doubled the term without explanation. There is speculation that the drugs found on Osipova were planted by police in retaliation for her refusal to testify against her husband, a leader of the Other Russia movement. The movement is a coalition of members who are opponents of President Putin. Ex-President Dmitry Medvedev requested a retrial after Osipova was originally sentenced to 10 years; a verdict he found to be too "harsh". Comment: Following the conviction of three members of a Russian band for speaking out against Putin, this sentence is another in a series of freedom of speech cases. Earlier this month, three members of "Pussy Riot" were condemned to two years in prison for dissent expressed towards Putin. (BBC Reuters, Huffington Post, The Guardian)

RUSSIA: Suicide bomber kills Islamic Cleric
On Tuesday, an ethnic Russian woman detonated a bomb killing Muslim cleric Said Afandi and five of his followers. Afandi was known to have been a strong critic of extreme forms of Islam. Escalating religious tensions in Dagestan has created violence throughout the region, with Muslim fighters saying that their struggle is for a separate Islamic state among the Russian provinces. Comment: The attack was the second of its kind within the past month. Last month a moderate Muslim cleric was killed in similar circumstances. In response to the attacks, Putin has called for religious and ethnic tolerance, to "not allow anyone to tear our country apart", by creating a strong and unified Russia. (BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera)

Researched/Written by A. Max Jones