Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged setbacks in the fight against Boko Haram as the jihadists launched fresh attacks in the restive northeast. The 76-year-old head of state was elected in 2015 on a promise to end the Islamist insurgency, which has killed more than …
Read More »Gunmen kill 10 civilians, children, in east DR Congo
Beni, DR Congo | AFP | Ten civilians including children and relatives of soldiers were killed overnight in a raid by armed men in restive eastern DR Congo, officials said Tuesday. “There was an incursion yesterday (Monday) around 23:00… in the village of Mavivi” north of Beni, local administrator Donat …
Read More »AU, France warn against ‘unconstitutional change’ in Gabon
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | The African Union and France warned against any “unconstitutional” change of power in Gabon, whose government on Monday claimed to have foiled an attempted takeover. AU chief Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a tweet, said his organisation “strongly condemns the coup attempt” in Gabon. “I …
Read More »UN chief condemns attempted coup in Gabon
United Nations, United States | AFP | UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned an attempted coup in Gabon, his spokesman said, recalling that the UN chief opposes unconstitutional changes of power by force. Gabon’s presidency said in a statement that soldiers burst into a state radio station at …
Read More »Gabon foils coup attempt, with ailing president out of country
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon foiled an attempted coup on Monday, capturing the rebel chief and killing two of his men after a group of soldiers stormed a radio station to call for an uprising while the country’s ailing president was abroad. Renegade soldiers burst into RTG state radio …
Read More »Pro-Bashir rally as Sudan says 800 protesters arrested
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | More than 800 protesters have been arrested in anti-government demonstrations held across Sudan since last month, a minister said Monday, as hundreds gathered at a rally backing President Omar al-Bashir. Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19, when unrest first broke out over a …
Read More »Gabon soldiers call for uprising, shots heard in capital
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon soldiers on state radio early Monday called on the people to “rise up” and announced a “national restoration council” would be formed, as an ailing President Ali Bongo is out of the country. Shots were heard in the around state television headquarters in …
Read More »Soldiers announce coup in Gabon
Gabon soldiers announce national council, shots heard in capital Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon soldiers said on state radio early Monday that a “national restoration council” has been formed, with ailing President Ali Bongo convalescing in Morocco. Shots were heard in the around state television offices in the centre …
Read More »Nigeria arrests two reporters over Boko Haram coverage
Kano, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian security forces on Sunday arrested two journalists over their coverage of the jihadist group Boko Haram, sources at the newspaper told AFP. A combined team of secret police, soldiers and civil defence paramilitary stormed the office of the Daily Trust in the northern …
Read More »UN council regrets Somalia’s decision to expel envoy
United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council on Saturday expressed regret after Somalia expelled a UN envoy but added that it expected “full cooperation” between Somalia and the United Nations. The council released the unanimous statement after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday agreed to …
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