King with Ombudsman Mohamed Benalilou

ECOWAS eyes $2.6bn for standby force to combat terrorism across West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is seeking $2.61 billion annually to launch a 5,000-strong regional Standby Force aimed at combating terrorism, political instability, and transnational crime across the region. At a high-level meeting in Abuja, ECOWAS Ministers of Defense and Finance convened to finalize funding strategies for the ambitious counterterrorism initiative. A […]

AU ‘extremely concerned’ over security situation in DRC as Rwandan ambassador expelled

The African Union (AU) has said it was worried about the deteriorating security situation in the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where rebels have made fresh gains and the country’s authorities responded by expelling the Rwandan Ambassador in Kinshasa, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels. In a joint statement, AU Chairman Macky […]

Protest takes in place in DRC ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s slated visit

A few dozen Congolese demonstrated Wednesday in front of the French embassy in Kinshasa to reject the planned visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, reports say. The protesters chanted “Macron assassin” or “Macron get out”, some waving Russian flags. “Rwanda, a country which has been attacking us for more than 25 years, leaving over forty […]