The United States is trying to curb the flow of weapons to the Islamic State terror group’s affiliate in Somalia, taking aim at a smuggling operation that is also helping to arm its al-Qaida-linked rival, al-Shabab, with weapons from Iran. The US Treasury Department Tuesday announced sanctions against eight individuals and one company all involved […]
Africa
UN peacekeepers in Congo withdraw from key military base, as protesters set UN vehicles on fire
The United Nations troops stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had made a strategic withdrawal from the eastern military base of Rumangabo, ceding ground in the battle against the M23 rebel group, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, known as MONUSCO, said. UN troops have been supporting Congolese forces in the fight […]
China’s Addax exits four Nigerian oil blocks as NNPCL inks asset transfer agreement
Sinopec’s Addax Petroleum Development (Nigeria) Ltd has exited four Nigeria oil blocks OMLs 123/124, 126/137 as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd on Tuesday (1 October) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Transfer, Settlement and Exit Agreement (TSEA). Addax began operations in Nigeria in 1998 by signing Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) with […]
CAR’s crypto push likely linked to its ally Russia — experts
The Central African Republic’s (CAR) recent pledge of allegiance to Russia comes amid speculation that its recent adoption of Bitcoin was a means of opening up the financial system to Russian companies after they were locked out by global sanctions. CAR adopted a law in July to introduce Bitcoin as legal tender, but the law […]
Lawmaker close to ruling regime in Benin under investigation
Benin’s Central Office of Protection of Minors has launched an investigation against Nougbognon Hyppolite Hazounme, a lawmaker of Union Progressite Le Renouveau; a party ally of President Patrice Talon, reports say. The office did not reveal the rationale behind the probe but Hazounme has been accused by his secretary of alleged rape. The lawmaker reportedly […]
Equatorial Guinea launches purge against illegal migrants “ahead of November 20 elections”
Equatorial Guinea authorities have launched a nationwide campaign to expel illegal migrants ahead of November 20 general elections, Anadolu news agency has learned. “In accordance with the directives of the government” of Equatorial Guinea, “the security forces (…) have launched since October 20, vast operations of control and expulsion of foreigners in irregular situation,” Toundi […]
Ethiopia awards Pan-African Prize to late King Hassan II for his dedication to African emancipation, Pan-Africanism
Ethiopia has awarded a Pan-African prize to late King Hassan II of Morocco in recognition of his contributions to the establishment of the African Union and his dedication to the emancipation of Africa and to Pan-Africanism. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presented the award to the speaker of the Moroccan House of Representative on Tuesday […]
Algeria abandons Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Niger border desert
Algeria has forced over 60 refugees from Syria and Palestine from Oran to the desert border of Niger where they were abandoned to their fate, Syrian media reported. This constitutes a clearcut case of refoulement which is banned under the Geneva convention, according to human rights NGOs, which deplore the media blackout regarding the fate […]
Historic ruling: UN-backed court in CAR convicts three militiamen of crimes against humanity
A United States-backed Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic (CAR) on Monday (31 October) convicted three militiamen of crimes against humanity committed during the civil war in 2013 and handed them jail terms from 20 years to life. Issa Sallet Adoum, Ousman Yaouberms Rangia, and Tahir Mahamat were accused of taking part in […]
Air pollution a “silent killer” in African cities, says study in run-up to COP27
With the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, starting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, next week, a recent study has found that air pollution in African cities is growing rapidly and is more deadly than feared, but green solutions could save tens of thousands of lives. Urban pollution has been largely neglected in Africa, according […]









