Top of the Morning: Kenya Elections Update; Heavy Fighting in Timbuktu

Top stories from DAWNS Digest

Kenyan Elections: Some Fighting, But General Calm Following Court Ruling

The Kenyan Supreme Court issued its final verdict, certifying Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya’s next president. He is set to take office next month, and in July his trial for crimes against humanity is set to commence in the Hague. Challenger Raila Odinga accepted the results of the court ruling, but violence and rioting among his supporters claimed at least five lives. (AFP http://bit.ly/Ypf7DD)

Heavy Fighting Erupts in Timbuktu

Order is very, very far from being restored in northern Mali. Malian soldiers backed by French fighter jets battled Islamist rebels in Timbuktu on Sunday after insurgents used a car bomb as cover to infiltrate the northern desert town, sources said…The attack reflected the challenge of securing Mali as France prepares to reduce its troop presence and hand over to the ill-equipped Malian army and a more than 7,000-strong regional African force. (Reuters http://reut.rs/ZvvsCd)