Africa

Mali has decided to extend the state of emergency until 15 July, re-established on 4 April, in order to fight against terrorism, announced Wednesday the Malian government in a communiqué. The weekly cabinet meeting, held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Modibo Keita, “approved a bill authorizing the …

The United Nations on Wednesday said it was “deeply concerned” for around 35 000 people forced to flee camps in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following clashes between the army and rebels. Five camps for internally displaced persons in North Kivu province have been emptied since March 27, forcing thousands …

Ambassadors to Libya from France, Britain and Spain arrived in the capital Tripoli on Thursday, reiterating the international community’s support for the new, UN-brokered unity government and pledging to reopen embassies closed two years ago because of the fighting. Most foreign embassies closed in 2014 as Tripoli descended into heavy …

The separatist leader of Western Sahara has warned the United Nations of a return to armed conflict in the north African territory unless pressure is put on Morocco to fully restore a UN mission there. Polisario Front leader Mohammad Abdulaziz delivered the warning in a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban …

A joint clearance operation by Cameroon and Nigeria forces along the border of the two countries has rescued more than 1 200 people held hostage by the Boko Haram. More than 20 alleged Boko Haram terrorists have been killed during the exercise. Three Boko Haram commanders were killed.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi addressed the controversy over Egypt’s handing over of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia in a meeting with representatives of social, political and media groups, saying that the islands were Saudi according to official documents. El-Sisi called for the meeting Wednesday following a heated public …

A U.S. military delegation arrived in Cairo Tuesday for talks with Egyptian officials on means to boost joint military cooperation to counter the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism in the region, Youm7 reported. The delegation is headed by Alexander Mark Laskaris; Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement …

A Pentagon spokesperson says the US conducted airstrikes on Monday and Tuesday in Somalia that killed an estimated 12 militants affiliated with the al-Shabaab Islamic extremist group. The spokesperson, Navy Captain Jeff Davis, said the targeted militants posed an imminent threat to US personnel who were assisting Somali government forces …

Around 50 countries and international organisations met in Tunis on Tuesday to discuss “international support” for a new unity government in neighbouring Libya. The one-day meeting sponsored by the United Nations and Great Britain aims to allow representatives of the UN-backed authority to outline its priorities to rebuild the country’s …

South Sudan’s security officials have arrested and severely beaten 16 members of the rebels’ publicity team, days before the expected arrival of rebel leader Riek Machar, a spokesperson for the rebels said on Tuesday. The arrests of the rebel workers was “irresponsible,” said William Ezekiel, a spokesperson for the rebels’ …