Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) - A renowned east African strologer has predicted three coups in Africa between now and October. Sheikh Yahya Hussein said "there are more than three African army officers who are set to seize power in their countries through force."

His predictions follow the Christmas eve military take-over in Cote d'Ivoire. Hussein further predicted that many African countries would overhaul their constitutions to fit into the present political dispensation.

With regard to Tanzania, he added that President Benjamin Mkapa and Zanzibar President Salmin Amour stood a good chance of winning re-election if they chose to contest. "These have a zero or two signs on their bellies, thus have a chance to win in the forthcoming elections," Hussein said.