Archive for October, 2016
Tunisia says ready to reopen Libyan embassy
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on Tunisia says ready to reopen Libyan embassyThe Tunisian government has disclosed that it is ready to reopen its embassy in Tripoli if the Libyan authorities provide guarantees for the safety of the diplomatic attache. The Tunisian Foreign Minister, Khemaies Jhinaoui, said Sunday that his country was one of the first countries to recognise the Government of National Accord (GNA) and was […]
Mali: jihadist group agrees to cease-fire at request of imam
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on Mali: jihadist group agrees to cease-fire at request of imamMembers of an al-Qaida-linked Islamic militant group have agreed to a cease-fire in Mali at the behest of an influential imam. A statement attributed to the group’s leader Iyad Ag Ghaly appeared on the Malijet website Sunday saying that his Ansar Dine fighters would abide by the request.
Kerry, UK Foreign Secretary discuss Libya
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on Kerry, UK Foreign Secretary discuss LibyaUS Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson are hosting a meeting in London designed to break Libya’s political stalemate. Monday’ session comes after the UN-backed Libyan government’s failure to win legitimacy — or to function at all — amid deep political fragmentation.
Messahel, Brauksiepe discuss Sahel situation
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on Messahel, Brauksiepe discuss Sahel situationAlgerian-German relations and the security situation in the Sahel region were at the centre of the discussions, Monday in Algiers, between Minister of Maghreb affairs, African Union and Arab League, Abdelkader Messahel and Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence Ralf Brauksiepe.
Libyan forces say they encircled IS in their last spot in Sirte
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on Libyan forces say they encircled IS in their last spot in SirteThe Libyan forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous operation, which is appointed by the UN-brokered Government of National Accord, said they had advanced on the last area in Sirte in which the remnants of IS militants are trapped. In a statement issued by the leadership of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous on Monday, the Libyan forces were reported as going […]
France ends CAR mission
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on France ends CAR missionFrench Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian heads to the Central African Republic (CAR) on Sunday to formally end Operation Sangaris, begun three years ago to halt mass killings there but which failed to disarm militias terrorising the population. The formal end to the French mission comes as a fresh wave of bloodshed shook the troubled […]
CAR: 25 killed in clashes between armed groups
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on CAR: 25 killed in clashes between armed groupsThe United Nations peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic says 25 people have been killed in clashes between armed groups amid “rising tension” in parts of the country. A statement late on Friday says 15 fighters were killed on Thursday in the communities of Mbriki and Belima on the outskirts of Bambari. And on Friday, […]
Four Egyptian soldiers killed in Sinai
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on Four Egyptian soldiers killed in SinaiFour Egyptian soldiers have been killed in the Sinai Peninsula, where the local branch of the Islamic State group regularly attacks security forces, the army said on Sunday. The troops were killed during operations around El-Arish, close to the border with the Gaza Strip, army spokesman Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said on Facebook.
French PM starts tour to Africa
Monday, October 31, 2016 Comments Off on French PM starts tour to AfricaFrench Prime Minister Manuel Valls issued an appeal on Sunday to overcome the legacy of slavery, dismissing claims for financial compensation while acknowledging the “horror” of the slave trade. Valls was visiting Franklin House, a former slave hub in the Ghanaian capital Accra, on Sunday on the second leg of a three-country tour of West […]
EU starts training of Libyan navy
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on EU starts training of Libyan navyThe EU Naval Operation Sophia started this week the training of the Libyan Navy Coast Guard and Libyan Navy and the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya. An EU statement Thursday noted that the naval operation aimed at disrupting the business model of human smugglers and […]
EU renews support for UN-led political process in Libya
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on EU renews support for UN-led political process in LibyaThe EU renewed its support to the UN-led political process in Libya. It said EU leaders have always been encouraging the engagement of regional organizations and neighboring countries in the process.
Egypt pledges to support Kenya, Pakistan, Somalia in fighting terrorism
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on Egypt pledges to support Kenya, Pakistan, Somalia in fighting terrorismThe Egypt Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the terrorist attacks in Somalia, Pakistan, and Kenya, in official statements on Tuesday. Over the course of 24 hours, Al-Shabab terror group launched two attacks in Somalia and Kenya, killing 12 people in the latter attack. In Somalia, the group shot dead an intelligence officer near Mogadishu, […]
5+5 Dialogue to focus on security and regional crises
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on 5+5 Dialogue to focus on security and regional crisesSecurity, fight against terrorism and the situation in the Arab world will be on the agenda of the 13th meeting, Friday in Marseille, of the Foreign Affairs Minister of 5+5 Dialogue on the western Mediterranean. This meeting of the western Mediterranean’s countries will bring together, in addition to Algeria, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Libya, […]
Kenya: 12 killed in extremist attack
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on Kenya: 12 killed in extremist attackGunmen from an extremist group killed 12 people in an attack targeting non-Muslims in Kenya’s northern Mandera County, near the Somali border, an official said on Tuesday. Somali-based extremist group al-Shabaab is suspected of carrying out the early-morning attack on the Bishaaro Guest House, said Mohamed Saleh, Mandera’s regional commander.
IS seize small Somalia port
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on IS seize small Somalia portSeveral dozen armed men belonging to an Islamic State-linked group on Wednesday seized control of a small port in Somalia’s Puntland region, local residents said. “We are getting information that Qandala has fallen this morning,” said Mohamed Muse, an elder in the town of Bossaso, which lies about 70km from Qandala.
Ethiopia troops pull out of Somalia towns
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on Ethiopia troops pull out of Somalia townsHundreds of Ethiopian troops pulled out of a town in central Somalia on Tuesday, at least the second location vacated by their forces in recent weeks, a Somali security official said. Security official Abdirisak Moalim Ahmed said Ethiopian soldiers present in El-Ali, Hiran region, as part of an African Union mission withdrew on Tuesday morning […]
Al-Shabaab seize four towns in Somalia
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Comments Off on Al-Shabaab seize four towns in SomaliaSomalia’s Islamic extremist rebels, al-Shabaab, are making a comeback, having recently seized four towns and attacked a guesthouse in neighboring Kenya, killing 12. The resurgence of al-Shabab, which is allied to al-Qaeda, could affect Somalia’s plans to hold elections next month and further destabilize what is already one of the world’s most failed states.
Swedish FM to visit Tunisia
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on Swedish FM to visit TunisiaSwedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström will, on Tuesday, start a two-day working visit to Tunisia, at the invitation of Foreign Minister, Khemaies Jhinaoui. This visit confirms Sweden’s support to the Tunisian democratic transition and the determination to strengthen co-operation relations with Tunisia to help it overcome the economic challenges it faces at this stage, a […]
Security Council slams terrorist attacks on UN mission in Mali
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on Security Council slams terrorist attacks on UN mission in MaliThe United Nations (UN) Security Council on Tuesday “condemned in the strongest terms” the multiple terrorist attacks that occurred Monday against the UN mission in north Mali, which killed two peacekeepers from Chad. Others were injured during the terrorist attacks on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Aguelhok, in the northern […]
French Surveillance Plane Heading for Libya Crashes in Malta
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on French Surveillance Plane Heading for Libya Crashes in MaltaA plane crashed Monday morning in Malta killing all five French people on Tuesday morning at 7:20 a.m. shortly after take-off in Luqa airport. Maltese officials said French customs officials were among victims on the flight, which was heading for the city of Misrata in Libya.
Algeria, Spain discuss political and security cooperation
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on Algeria, Spain discuss political and security cooperationAlgerian Minister for Maghreb Affairs, the African Union and the Arab League, Abdelkader Messahel and visiting Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ignacio Ybanez, vowed on Monday to boost bilateral cooperation in the political, security and economic fields.
Sudan rebels suspend peace talks after chemical attack claims
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on Sudan rebels suspend peace talks after chemical attack claimsA prominent Sudanese rebel group said on Friday it was suspending peace talks with Khartoum after a rights group accused government forces of using chemical weapons against civilians in war-torn Darfur. The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North, which is fighting government troops in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, this summer signed a roadmap brokered […]
4 killed in violent Central African Republic anti-UN protests
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on 4 killed in violent Central African Republic anti-UN protestsFour civilians were killed on Monday when protests against United Nations peacekeepers turned violent in the Central African Republic, with gunfire and looting reported across the capital Bangui, the UN said. Five UN peacekeepers were among 14 people injured during the demonstrations called by a coalition of civil society groups to demand the withdrawal of […]
Heavily armed Shabaab retake town in central Somalia
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on Heavily armed Shabaab retake town in central SomaliaIslamic extremist rebels recaptured a town in central Somalia after African Union and Somali troops pulled out Sunday, according to residents. Heavily armed al-Shabaab fighters retook Halgan town soon after troops left, said a town elder, Ahmed Sabriye.
Shabaab suicide bomber strikes AU base in Somalia
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Comments Off on Shabaab suicide bomber strikes AU base in SomaliaA Shabaab suicide bomber rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into an African Union military base in central Somalia on Tuesday, a security official said. The explosion was followed by heavy gunfire at the Djiboutian base in the city of Beledweyne. Witness Ismail Mahad described seeing “clouds of smoke caused by the heavy blast” followed […]
TURKEY: A CHANGING INTERNAL AND GEOPOLITICAL SCENE
Thursday, October 20, 2016 Comments Off on TURKEY: A CHANGING INTERNAL AND GEOPOLITICAL SCENEThe 15 July 2016 failed coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and, on the other hand, Ankara’s recent re-orientation of its foreign policy towards Russia, Israel and Iran, including its August military intervention in Syria are seen by most analysts as signs of a changing trend not only in Turkey’s political and social […]
US makes efforts for consensus among Libyan parties
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on US makes efforts for consensus among Libyan partiesThe US President, Barak Obama underscored that the USA is making efforts to strengthen consensus among Libyan parties. He also stressed the need to control territorial waters and borders to undermine illegal immigration. At a joint press conference with the Italian prime Minister Tuesday in Washington, he said; We are focused on enhancing government agreements, […]
Portugal to deploy 160 special forces in CAR
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on Portugal to deploy 160 special forces in CARA battalion of around 160 Army Commandos is ready and waiting to be deployed on a mission to the Central African Republic and is now waiting for a number of logistical matters to be solved, the chief of staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces said. “Everything is ready. At the moment all that has to […]
Algeria: Political agreement, only solution for Libyan crisis
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on Algeria: Political agreement, only solution for Libyan crisisLibya’s neighboring countries recalled, after their ministerial meeting Wednesday in Niamey, Niger, that the Libyan political agreement is the only framework to end the crisis in Libya. The participants at the 9th ministerial meeting of the neighboring countries of Libya reaffirmed commitment to the political settlement parameters as defined in their previous meetings, including the […]
Algeria welcomes political agreement in DRC
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on Algeria welcomes political agreement in DRCAlgeria, through the spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Abdelaziz Benali Cherif, on Wednesday hailed the signing Tuesday of a political agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), expressing the hope that this agreement “lays the foundations of a final settlement” of the crisis in this country.
UN beefs up peacekeeping force in DRC capital
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on UN beefs up peacekeeping force in DRC capitalThe United Nations is moving hundreds of peacekeepers from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to Kinshasa to help deal with a possible outbreak of violence over the postponement of a presidential election, the UN officials said on Tuesday. At least 300 soldiers and police from the Monusco force will be stationed in Kinshasa, where violent […]
Egypt extends state of emergency in north Sinai for 3 months
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on Egypt extends state of emergency in north Sinai for 3 monthsEgypt has extended a state of emergency in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula for three months, with a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the most troubled areas where it is fighting militants including an Islamic State affiliate. The Tuesday decree by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, announced in the Official Gazette, comes after fighting picked up in […]
7 dead as Somali troops fight al-Shabab in town near capital
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on 7 dead as Somali troops fight al-Shabab in town near capitalSomali police have said that at least seven are dead after hours of clashes as Somali and African Union troops pushed back al-Shabab extremists from a town near Mogadishu. The attacks in Afgoye started when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a Somali police station and African Union base.
UN peacekeeping chief pleads for S Sudan arms embargo
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on UN peacekeeping chief pleads for S Sudan arms embargoThe United Nations peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous is pleading with the Security Council to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan where he expects an upsurge in fighting with the coming end of the rainy season. Ladsous told reporters that he had made his appeal directly to the council during a closed-door meeting on Monday.
Boko Haram overruns Nigerian military base in northeast
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Comments Off on Boko Haram overruns Nigerian military base in northeastNigeria’s army says Boko Haram Islamic insurgents have overrun a remote border military camp in the northeast, leaving 13 soldiers wounded and an unknown number missing. Monday’s attack on Gashigar, on the border with Niger, is the third reported direct attack on the military after months of a lull during which the Islamic extremists hit […]