Africa

Somali, AU troops capture Shabaab stronghold of Dinsor

Somali government troops backed by African Union forces on Friday captured the Shabaab stronghold of Dinsor, the second town seized from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamists this week, the defence minister said. “Our forces have secured control of Dinsor, and the insurgents have fled after losing the battle… the troops are now …

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Two Libyan soldiers killed in Benghazi clashes

Two Libyan soldiers were killed and 10 wounded on Thursday when eastern government forces made a new push against Islamist fighters in the embattled centre of Benghazi, medics said. Forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised government have been fighting Islamist groups in the country’s second-largest city for over a year, …

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US President starts visit to Ethiopia, African Union

US President Barack Obama landed in Ethiopia on Sunday, beginning a two-day stay and becoming the first American leader to visit Africa’s second most populous nation. Air Force One touched down at Addis Ababa’s international airport after a short flight north from the Kenyan capital Nairobi, and the president was …

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Obama to push for South Sudan peace

US President Barack Obama will on Monday try to build African support for tough action against South Sudan’s warring leaders if they reject an August peace ultimatum, US officials said. Obama will meet with leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as well as Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour in Addis …

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French Defence Minister visits Egypt

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian began a two-day visit to Cairo Saturday, just days after France delivered the first batch of 24 Rafale warplanes Egypt bought in a multi-billion-euro deal. Le Drian met with his counterpart Sedki Sobhi, and will hold talks with Sisi and other Egyptian officials which …

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EC reaffirms support for Mali peace process

The European Council welcomed Algeria’s efforts that led to the signing of the Peace Agreement in Mali and reaffirmed its commitment to support the process in the countries of the Sahel, according to a statement APS received Monday. At a meeting, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment, alongside the other …

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Buhari, Obama to discuss fight against Boko Haram

Nigeria’s new president Muhammadu Buhari travels to the United States on Sunday for a meeting with President Barack Obama to mend relations battered by his predecessor’s failures to fight an Islamic uprising and corruption in Africa’s biggest oil producer. Buhari’s March election, hailed as the first democratic change of power …

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France to deliver first Rafale jets to Egypt

Egypt on Monday took delivery of three Rafale fighter jets from France, the first of 24 warplanes sold in a $5.6bn deal earlier this year. Egyptian authorities took charge of the planes at an air base in southern France, and they will be flown to Cairo by specially trained pilots …

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