West Africa

Nigeria has lost its former head of state Ernest Shonekan, who died Tuesday January 11 in a hospital in Lagos at the age of 85. He was the country’s ninth head of state from 26 August until 17 November 1993, when he was ousted in a coup by the late …

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States( ECOWAS) have reimposed severe sanctions against the Malian interim government after the military leaders had announced a long delay to the elections originally planned for February. After a meeting on Sunday in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, the ECOWAS leaders have decided …

Thirteen civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso in two separate attacks by suspected Islamist militants, the BBC reports. Eleven people were killed in a raid on a village by heavily armed men on motorbikes, and two volunteers working with the army’s anti-jihadist force were killed in the second incident. …

A 29-year-old man has been arrested in the Liberian capital, Sierra Leone, as he tried to sell his 10-year-old son. It was apparently a desperate attempt to raise funds to replace a stolen motorcycle. After his arrest, the man told investigating officers in the capital, Monrovia, that he needed around …

Dozens of residents have reportedly been killed by gunmen who raided several communities in the Anka and Bukkuyum areas of Nigeria’s north-western Zamfara state, local media reported. Motorbike-riding bandits attacked villages, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses on fire, villagers told the BBC. Multiple sources have given different casualty figures – …

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the country is working to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 as the country battles the growing number of cases of the virus. According to health experts, Nigeria needs to triple its vaccination drive from just over 100,000 doses a day to meet its target of …

A manhunt has been launched for three Chinese nationals who were abducted earlier this week, police in central Nigeria said. The victims were working at a hydro-power plant near the town of Zungeru, according to the Niger state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun. Four Chinese workers were rescued, but two local …

Some ministers and other government officials in Ivory Coast were barred from attending the cabinet meeting on Wednesday after failing to show proof of vaccination or present Covid-19 test certificates. At least eight officials reportedly did not attend the meeting. According to Ivorian media, absentees included the minister of communication, …

All detention facilities in Liberia have this week run out of food for inmates, causing two prisons, including the main Monrovia Central Prison, to temporarily shut their doors to newcomers, the BBC reports. The situation is being blamed on a number of factors including delays in remitting funds for food …

The Nigerian government through a statement, has formally designated all armed gangs popularly known as bandits, operating in the country, as terrorist groups. The declaration titled Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2021, is contained in a document released by the justice minister on Wednesday. The criminal gangs who rule in …