Africa

How Qaeda-Friendly GSIM Became the Sahel’s Leading Jihadists

A group of jihadists close to Al-Qaeda has emerged as the West’s most formidable enemy in the Sahel, taking over from the Islamic State as the region’s major threat. The Group to Support Islam and Muslims, also known by its Arabic acronym JNIM, is a sworn enemy of the Islamic …

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Militants continue to stage deadly attacks as insecurity expands into previously ‘safe’ zones in West Africa, Sahel, top official tells Security Council

Insecurity across West Africa and the Sahel has expanded into areas previously considered safe, with militants continuing to stage deadly attacks, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the region told the Security Council today, as delegates called for consolidating gains in democratic governance recently expressed by several countries in their successful …

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Kenya: Suspected Al-Shabaab Militants Bomb Telco Mast

Suspected al-Shabaab militants have bombed a telecommunications mast in Banisa Sub-County, Mandera County three days after they attacked a bus and a private vehicle in the same area. Local residents who spoke to the Nation said the militants used explosives to destroy the mast at Darkale center on Tuesday night.

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US Launches Work on Consulate in Disputed Western Sahara

The United States on Sunday started the process of establishing a consulate in contested Western Sahara, after Washington recognized Morocco’s sovereignty there in exchange for Rabat normalizing ties with Israel. U.S. Ambassador to Morocco David Fischer visited the port of Dakhla, 1,440 kilometers (895 miles) southwest of Rabat in the …

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With Sudan signing Abraham Accords, Israel tightens grip in Africa, Red Sea basin

With Sudan signing today the Abraham accords for renewal of diplomatic ties, Israel is sending feelers also to other Red Sea basin countries for establishing some sorts of relations. Sudanese Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari signed on to the Abraham Accords today in Khartoum, officially agreeing to normalize diplomatic ties with …

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Egypt, Ethiopia escalate war of words over stalled Nile dam talks

Ethiopia is accusing Egypt of deliberate hostility amid stalled negotiations on the controversial dam and tension between Addis Ababa and Khartoum. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ethiopian chargé d’affaires to Cairo Dec. 30 to clarify statements by Dina Mufti, the spokesperson of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign …

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Turkey draws road map with Egypt, but will Cairo follow it?

Turkey is once again hinting at openness for dialogue with Egypt, but real progress remains elusive. Once again, Turkey is reaching out to Egypt for political rapprochement. Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters Dec. 30 that Turkey and Egypt are working on shaping a road map for …

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